As some of you may recall, I was looking for a small diesel pickup so I can start making and using my own biodiesel. I found tan one, in great shape, very little rust, etc. Rust is apparently a big weak point in these old Japanese pickups, so I figure an extra coat of paint can only help (providing the prepwork is good.) And since I have a hankerin' for a schoolbus yellow truck, I want to get it repainted. I've been calling around, and the two big franchise outfits, Maaco and Earl Scheib, are neck & neck at the bottom of the price scale ($350-550), but everyone else is way more. One guy gave me a big lecture on how I'd surely be in to have them fix the paintjob I'd get from the cheap guys after a few months. But his minimum is $1600!... So, does anyone have any experiences with auto paint companies?
Also, just to crow, yesterday I changed the fuel filter on this truck. I have never changed a fuel filter on any vehicle, but I was armed with the workshop manual for this very model. My usual mechanic said the filter was $50, and the labour would cost $60 (6/10 of an hour @ $80/hour) -- $110 to change a fuel filter!!? Yikes! When you start running an engine on biodiesel, it tends to clean out any gunk in the engine, so you have to change the fuel filter often in the beginning -- an expensive proposition. So I got the filter from an autoparts store ($27), and spent 2 & 1/2 hours figuring out how to do it. My hands and forearms are all cut up, but I DID IT! Next time will be much faster.
Anyone have any home methods for getting diesel stink off your hands? Is there some country recipe like tomato juice or crisco or boiled nettles or something?
Also, just to crow, yesterday I changed the fuel filter on this truck. I have never changed a fuel filter on any vehicle, but I was armed with the workshop manual for this very model. My usual mechanic said the filter was $50, and the labour would cost $60 (6/10 of an hour @ $80/hour) -- $110 to change a fuel filter!!? Yikes! When you start running an engine on biodiesel, it tends to clean out any gunk in the engine, so you have to change the fuel filter often in the beginning -- an expensive proposition. So I got the filter from an autoparts store ($27), and spent 2 & 1/2 hours figuring out how to do it. My hands and forearms are all cut up, but I DID IT! Next time will be much faster.
Anyone have any home methods for getting diesel stink off your hands? Is there some country recipe like tomato juice or crisco or boiled nettles or something?