I wanted a brush finish for the stainless as think it will be more practical. Tried different grades of sandpaper and Scotch-brite and ended up settling on the purple extreme scrub bought at the supermarket.
Then hit the script with good old Autosol.
I designed the box so I could access all the seams with my spot welded as the stainless is so thin. I had a oil can in the front face and thought I would try using a heat gun on the high spot for 15-20 seconds. Then cooled with a damp rag. Took the oil can right out!
Thought to make a lid for it in a similar design to the doors and back of the cab. The radius in the corners also match it.
Using step dies this time rather than art dies as keeps things flatter.
Using the heat gun to shrink where the metal gathered in the corners as it is so near the edge.
All finished! Handles are to carry it by and the small loops to hook a finger in to lift the lid. Have anchor fittings each end so it can be strapped down.
The box was passivated using phosphoric acid as I don't have any nitric acid. Read it also works to stop the welded and areas worked with steel tooling from rusting.
Sits nicely against the head board and tucks under its flange. Also against the fuel filler cover on one side and leaves enough room to attach the hold down straps at each end.
The width of the chest was made so the opening would match how far the tonneau comes forward.
Easily accessible and have rubber lined the bottom also to slow things sliding around. Great place to put the shopping as now wont slide all over the floor. Can even fit a couple of folding chairs.
