1980 Hustler/Sidewinder build

[turtlecrawler]

Hydromike.........The bottom is black....I had the same problem trying to remove paint on the bottom tub as well....I got as crazy to attack it with a wire wheel on a grinder.....So i went with the same type of primer I used on the top and painted it black.....If it gets to abused a least it will be easy to touch up....lol........Thanks for the camo comment...I was worried when I started out..

Trevorakm1....Thanks for the support.....I got the idea from my friend that just came back from his THIRD tour over seas...

I got busy last night and made the rear bumper....Today it will also get a winch.....Time to start the body band.....YEA..

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[trevorakm1]

i like it! i'm a big camo fan. looks like the camo on present iragi equipment.

[hydromike]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]8160[/ATTACH]

Wow, this looks very cool. I'm going to put this machine in "the only camo job I've ever liked" category. I really hope your paint sticks well. I can't tell from the pictures; is the bottom stock brown, or is it black?

[turtlecrawler]

Thanks Stonewall.......

[Stonewall]

I like your tank...

[turtlecrawler]

Well I took the plunge today and added color to the top....I had a friend come back from his THIRD tour in Iraq....I was so happy to see him home safe...He gave me some ideas so I went with them....I went down to the local paint store (For Pros),,They made me some primer in a spray can that will stick to HDPE..Time will tell....I picked up some flat colors to finish the job..Here is some starting picks and the end result.....Let me know what you all think.............Go Army..

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[zoood]

TC, since you have all but given up on trying to remove the paint that refuses to come off the body. Here's an idea. You might try glass beading it. My observation is this. When metal is sand blasted. The sand leaves a textured finish from the sand hitting the metal surface. However, when metal is glass beaded. It doesnt change the surface. Its not harsh like sand. And with the right air pressure. I'm betting that you can remove the paint without destroying the surface. I havent ever needed to do what your doing. But it is something to think about.

zoood

Thanks guys........And I have tried everything ever mentioned on this forum to include some crazy ideas of my own to removed the leftover paint ....what is left is not comming off....I have also do alot of welding on the upper tub filling all the little ( and some large ) holes in the the body. I really want to hide the multi colored spots......just not sure how yet...

[turtlecrawler]

Thanks guys........And I have tried everything ever mentioned on this forum to include some crazy ideas of my own to removed the leftover paint ....what is left is not comming off....I have also do alot of welding on the upper tub filling all the little ( and some large ) holes in the the body. I really want to hide the multi colored spots......just not sure how yet...

[jpswift1]

I really love the aggressive look of your machine! You've done a really great job with it so far........and that tan color looks pretty good actually. I'm not sure if you mentioned this or not, but did you try a pressure washer on the top to get the rest of the paint off? And by the way, those 24's look great on there. They really fill the wheel well up nicely. I never saw pictures of the actual 24x12x12 sized tires, but I must say, they look great on your machine.

[Stonewall]

Looking great!! I like the way those tires look on there.

[turtlecrawler]

Well after several more hours spent wrenching on the little rig it seems to be getting a little closer. I still need to figure out what color the top is going to be...Not sure vinyl wraping is the answer....I am starting to think about painting the top...I just know that I won't be happy in the long run if I do. Mounting the tires proved to be alot of fun....(NOT) The tire on the drivers rear rubbed on the inside. after trying the heat the tub enough to gain the little bit of clearance I needed..I gave up and bought some 5/16 thick wheel spacers..I only need it on the one tire but I put them on both rears so it would look the same..Funny thing is you really can't tell they are there.

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[zoood]

I'll be rethinking my winch support. But when I got this atv. It came with a winch attached like yours and attached to the front body band. I didnt care for that. The body was cracked as a result of mounting it there. It wasnt just bolted through it. They had a 8" long x 1/4" thick x 1" wide flat stock brace at the bottom of the lip for the mounting.

[turtlecrawler]

Here is my attempt at a front bumper with a winch mount.....I will attach it to the body band for extra support when it is all done..

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[turtlecrawler]

I was lucky jpswift,

Most of my little rig was complete.....it just needed alot of TLC before it would be road worthy.....

[jpswift1]

Yes, those should do the trick. Not many Hustler/Sidewinder owners have working parking brakes on their machines.