SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Buffing Aluminum

After a job like this with multiple layers of paint, we needed to make sure the paint was smooth.  We didn't want you to notice all the lines and layers that were put into it.  Of course, that's what a quality build is about, making it look factory.  We didn't keep track of the hours, but let's just say that there was a lot of careful time in wet sanding the clear coat smooth.  

There area  few things we learned during this process.  It takes a LONG time to buff aluminum.  See, what happens when you buff is that the clear coat heats up, thus basically levelling itself.  However, not only does the clear warm up, but also the metal beneath.  The issue we had here was that it took a lot longer for aluminum to warm up.  So we had to be very careful to continue to warm the aluminum but not so much that we overheat the clear and burn through it.  This was a long and slow process. The end result was stunning but required many unexpected hours to achieve the perfection this build demanded.

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Paint Part 3 - Warrior Stripe Final

The final layer before clear coat is Candy Apple Red.  Over the Kosmic Krome, this layer really stands out.  In the shade, it's not noticed.  But in the sun, it's like a slap in the face, and we love it.  It took several tries and spray outs to find the right one.  We even tried the Raspberry and it just didn't have the stand out qualities that we wanted.

After we decided on the color and the proper layers to get the hue we wanted, it was time to get down to business.  The Krome and the gears have been laid.  It was time to rock the red, and layer up the clear.  

 

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Paint Part 3 - Warrior Stripe

The Warrior Stripe.  The build's name stays true and true throughout the build.  Every part of the build in some way ties with itself in some form.  As we discuss the build, we will often reference back to other components.

The first to go down is House of Kolor Kosmic Krome.  When the sun hit, we really wanted this stripe to pop.  Next up are the gears.  These were sprayed with Charcoal Candy using an airbrush and stencil.

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Paint Part 2 (Warrior Stripe)

The paint protection coating that the Ford dealership applied proved difficult to work with.  It was a coating that would require sanding the surface in preparation for paint instead of just scuffing. The entire body was taped off, then trimmed and finished off masking.  The doors then removed to correctly bring bring the black into the door jams. The doors at the bed were then set back onto the truck.  The red accent was then outlined.  Again a painstaking process to ensure both sides matched perfectly.  Then the fun began....

 

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Paint Part 1

So, the overall design this year was to make it a little more flashy.  Our style has always been simple but clean.  Little subtleties that make you double take.  We pride ourselves on making a modification look so good, you know something's different but can't quite put your finger on it.  However, that's not what trucks are about these days.  A lot of builds that make it into press are flashy, high contrasting colors mixed with polished or chromed components.  We had to move outside our comfort zone.

In addition, being an aluminum body was new.  Not only did Ford coat the truck with some kind of protective coating, but the aluminum parts posed a slight challenge.

First, our fenders were shaved.  We removed the F150 emblem in favor of a smooth look.  I couldn't count the number of questions we got on how we did it being an aluminum panel.  Well, here it is. We used metal putty.  Metal putty is used to repair multiple metal surfaces, and this application was no different.  We did reinforce the back side to make sure we didn't have too many issues.

Next came the taping process.  SO much time in taping and retaping.  Measuring one side from the other, making sure both sides match.  No stencil.  All freehand.  Stay tuned for the next blog....as I reveal our paint process.

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Ride Controller

We were so incredibly excited to partner with Ride Controller this year.  The innovative thinking that went into this is quite amazing.  Initially started where restoration classic car builders could remotely start and control their vehicles - power windows, remote start, etc... - this quickly found a home in the truck market.  The engineers have even developed an app that works with the iWatch.  How amazing is that?  This product allows you to feel like a spy, controlling any switched power source off your phone or watch.

Wiring this was a cinch.  Each circuit consisted of 3 connectors.  The center location is the source.  To the left is the "at rest" output and to the right is the "switched" output.  Basically when switched off, the center source is connected to the left wire.  When switched on, the center source breaks it's connection with the left and connects to the right.  Utilizing the latest bluetooth technology, the product is right on target.  It comes in a 4 switch, 8 switch, and 16 switch units.

Brutus was outfitting with the RC8 outfitted with 2 LED strobe bars behind the grille, a Hornblaster Train Horn, Rigid Industries LED light bars in the front and rear bumper, and rock lights.  Our Ride Controller was configured to perform the following.

1) Activate the Strobe Bar
2) Change strobe patterns
3) Honk the Train horn
4) Activate Rock Lights
5) Activate the front bumper 20" Radiance Bar along with a pair of Duallys
6) Activate the rear bumper
7) Turn on the compressor for the Train Horns
8) Dead

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Retrax Bed Covers

Retrax has been a partner on almost every SEMA truck build we have done.  They are by far the best bed covers on the market.  Their strength, rigidity surpass others.  There are no rattles while driving, and operation is always smooth.  

Retrax released their MX Series, and we are thoroughly impressed.  The gloss still had the potential to fade and get spiderwebs just like paint does.  The MX series provided a nice rugged look, matches our matte finish on the plastics, and just overall had the look of quality.  The cost is a little more, however, it's worth every bit of the extra.  We suggest opting for it every time.  The cover seals and channels water perfectly.  

(As you can see, we installed this on a rainy day.)

SEMA 2015: 2015 Ford F150 - Brutus > Fab Fours Vengeance Series Bumpers

So many bumper manufacturers and designs have started to pop up.  The difficulty sometimes is working out a partnership agreement on products that flows with the other products on the build.  We try bring all the parts together so that the overall build represents everyone well.  

Fab Fours released their Vengeance Series bumpers not long after our initial renderings.  We really liked this bumper.  It wasn't bulky.  It didn't stick way out.  Yet it still provided the aggressive and rugged look we sought after.  A phone call was made and as they say, the rest is history.

We asked that the bumpers be sent raw.  We wanted all our powdercoat textures to be consistent. Even in raw, these bumpers looked amazing.

SEMA 2016 - 2016 Jeep Wrangler: Azul

SEMA is quickly coming around, and builders are starting to solidify their stake in the mother of all trade shows. SEMA is a business to business trade show. People commonly mistaken it for a car show seeing as the Best of the Best are presented there. SEMA is NOT open to the public.  These companies spend tens of thousands for booth spots to do B2B deals nationally and internationally.

Having done a build for them before, BedRug gave us a call and decided we would represent their Brand with two builds this year. Although we are still in discussions with some companies, the build is coming along nicely. Here's the current list of build sponsors and the part numbers.

Fab Fours:
Grumper #GR1000-1
Grumper Crash Bar Cover #JK1005-1
Front Fender System #JK1000-1
Front Inner Fender #JK1002-1
Front Fender Flare #JK1003-1
Rear Fender System TBA
Rear Fender Flare TBA
Roof Rack #RR48-1
Rear Bumper Carrier #JK07-Y1251-1
Off-The-Door Tire Carrier #JP-Y1261T-1
3rd Brake Light M2050-1
Hi-Lift Mount #M2150-1

Rugged Ridge:
Hood Catch JK, Textured Black #11210.17
Steering Stabilizer #18475.03
Hood Lift Kit #11252.51
CB Radio Kit #11503.96
Mirror Quick Release Kit #11025.13
Front Tube Doors  #11509.10
Rear Tube Doors #11509.11
Locking Gas Door, Textured Black #11229.06
Hardtop Insulation Kit #12109.04
Charcoal Steering Wheel Trim Kit #11157.12
LH A-Pillar Pod Kit w/switches w/USB #17235.98
LED Taillight Kit #12403.88

ReadyLift:
Jeep JKU 4" 8-arm SST Lift Kit #69-6408

Rockstar:
Rockstar 3 XD827 wheels with simulated beadlock and star paint matched

Factor 55:
Ultralink - blue
Fairlead - Gray

RKSport:
Ram Air Hood #48012000

nFab:
Rock Rails  #J074RKR
Detachable Steps (x2)  #JPTS32

Rigid Industries:
D-Series A-pillar #40331
Brow Mount Kit  #40131
Radiance 50" - Blue #25001
Radiance Dually - Blue #
7" Round w/PWM Adaptors #55000

Sony:
TBD

2015 F150 Lariat Project Brutus - Wallpaper

SEMA builds and preparations are a very labor intensive process.  This past year was no exception. Products arriving on time and unexpected modifications to vehicles (not all products work together well) contribute to the additional labor.  It definitely requires flexibility.  That said, we will be backtracking in the next few blogs to the builds for last year.  Mixed in will be blogs for the current year.  Stay tuned.  But for now, here are a few wallpaper images of Brutus.