Bert66

The body of my 1965 is off the frame and I plan on trying to do a NCRS restoration.
I have a couple questions. How do I keep the cast or natural metal parts from rusting? Cast Blast will give me a point deductions if judged. Do I paint the the control arms with bushings installed?. Any other helpful hints?

Thanks, Bert

covett

I suggest you get a copy of the NCRS corvette technical information manual and judging guide. there are several vendors offering home plating kits. caswell plating and eastwood are two that come to mind.
and have fun

Bert66

Thanks, I have a copy. Bert

Alan 71

I'd suggest going to an NCRS Chapter Meet in your area and talking to some of the folks about how they're dealing with these questions. You can look at their cars and see what they're talking about. There are several ways of protecting bare metal. For example, there's a product called Pre-Lube 6 that is sprayed on, but must be re-applied on occasion depending how the car is stored and how much it's driven.
Regards,
Alan

Bert66

Thanks, that's a great suggestion. Bert

JohnZ

The point deduction for "finish" is very minor if you prefer to hit those items with flat clear or Cast-Blast instead of watching them rust. The front upper and lower control arms were painted black with the bushings, shafts, retainer washers, and bolts in place (but without the ball joints).

53 Blue Flame Brett

It's each owner's preference. If your car is in Top Flight condition, the points deduction won't prevent you from Top Flight success.

Myself, I powder coat the cast iron a cast blast color. It lasts forever and your chassis will look great for a very long time. I have got the top prize this way. Powder coated the frame and all black parts too. It still looks great five years later and the certificate does too.

You just have to use the right sheen of black and the correct cast blast color.

Do it your way wrether you clear coat, cast blast or powder coat. Just make it look as close to correct as humanly possible.

Enjoy! Chassis are fun!

78Vette-SA

As already stated but one more that's been there, done that. My 63 Fuelie Top flighted with a 98.6%. I coated the exhaust mainfolds, drive shaft, half-shafts, and differential. Other parts, such as the GM Style Rivets ball-joints I clear-coated. I would rather be dinged a point or two then look at rust. The points taken, if at all, are minimal.

After assemblling the control arms I did give them a spritz of black over the end caps and bushings.

1-2-b-67L89

Nicely done Joe And a fuelie no less

Bert66

Joe, thanks for the photos. You said "coated", do you mean powder coated or cast colored paint. Thanks, Bert

78Vette-SA

In my case it was paint. Eastwoods Cast Blast and Detail Gray. If you plan to keep the car, powder coat would be my preference. It will stay looking like new for a long long long long time!

53 Blue Flame Brett

Good job Joe.

I even clear coated my new gas tank with powder coat. You need to take lacquer thinner and take the preservative off the new tank first. Then, powder coat clear. Looks awesome afterward....forever.

SolidAxle

Plating natural cast parts with electroless nickel will very closely resemble a natural finish and in virtually indetectible. You have to mildly glass bead etch the surface prior to plating to get a dull finish. Lasts a lifetime and doesn't rust.

http://www.ckautollc.phanfare.com/al...ageID=23928911

Mike Geary

Bert: I'd give "Boeshield" a try. It's a spray-on rust inhibitor developed for the aircraft industry. Supposed to work great.

As another alternative, spray your natural parts with Krylon's SATIN acrylic. To me, it's undetectable...

Bert66

Any more recommendations? Bert

Joel 67

SolidAxle,

How has the electroless nickel plating held up? Did you use a commerical plater or go with a do-it-yourself kit?

SolidAxle

So far it has held up really well. Have had a set installed for a little over 18 months with no signs of deterioration. We used a local military commercial plater.

Bert66

I'd like to find a shop that does electroless nickle plating piece work. I've called a few and they only do production work. Bert

SolidAxle

The plater we use only does military work but has been doing our parts on the side. I have known the owners for many years.