Frame "on" or frame "off" resto ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Frame "on" or frame "off" resto ?
I realize only I can answer this question moving forward in the next couple of yrs., but I would like to hear how other forum members did their resto. How did you decide.
If the frame is just "surface" rust do I (we) really need to strip it and paint it ? At what point does someone strip it (or acid dip it) to paint it like new ? Could I just lift the body for the sake of "ease" to work on frame, and accomplish a decent resto ?
I will do plenty of "reading" over the winter and consulting 'vette club people, etc....
Thanks for the replies.
If the frame is just "surface" rust do I (we) really need to strip it and paint it ? At what point does someone strip it (or acid dip it) to paint it like new ? Could I just lift the body for the sake of "ease" to work on frame, and accomplish a decent resto ?
I will do plenty of "reading" over the winter and consulting 'vette club people, etc....
Thanks for the replies.
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I guess that you love your Corvette, so you want to make a good job on it. I would go for the frame off option. Unlike many cars, a 'vette is easy to get naked. It will take a little longer than a frame-on-resto but when you'll get done, you'll be more than happy to see that your car looks like if it's just out of the Chevrolet dealer 
Plus, if you want to sell it sooner or later, your buyer will see that the car is super clean everywhere.
Anyways, if you go frame-off, i'd love to see some pics
Plus, if you want to sell it sooner or later, your buyer will see that the car is super clean everywhere.
Anyways, if you go frame-off, i'd love to see some pics
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 12
I started out to do a frame on also but by the time I had removed most everything on
the car It was only a handfull of fasteners and the body was off.
I found places on the frame that needed repair that I would not have seen otherwise.
Good luck and when I figure out this photo bucket thing I will post some pic,s
the car It was only a handfull of fasteners and the body was off.
I found places on the frame that needed repair that I would not have seen otherwise.
Good luck and when I figure out this photo bucket thing I will post some pic,s
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Clayton North Carolina
I am currently in a frame on restoration on my car. In hindsight, I would take the time and effort and do the body off restoration. If you are anything like most of us, you are **** about your car. I have spent more hours, days, weeks, making special tools that allow me to get into the tiny cracks and openings to try and remove rust and coat with Por 15.
I would judge how bad the car is first. If it is loaded with rust, go with the body off. easier and much neater. If it appears to be surface, your call.
Best of luck whatever you decide
Mark
I would judge how bad the car is first. If it is loaded with rust, go with the body off. easier and much neater. If it appears to be surface, your call.
Best of luck whatever you decide
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,281
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
There are many levels of 'off the frame' restorations just as there are many levels of 'on the frame' restorations. It depends on your abilities, time, $$$, and goals as to what you do.
On my car I was commited to restoring every single part individually. I wanted every part to be as 'new' when I started putting it back together. I also was committed to doing everything myself except the spraying of the paint and the chrome plating. For me this turned into a long process because I was enjoying restoring a Corvette.
What you want the car to be helps decide whether the body comes off or not.
Regards,
Alan
On my car I was commited to restoring every single part individually. I wanted every part to be as 'new' when I started putting it back together. I also was committed to doing everything myself except the spraying of the paint and the chrome plating. For me this turned into a long process because I was enjoying restoring a Corvette.
What you want the car to be helps decide whether the body comes off or not.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you got the space, the time, and the funds to do a frameoff ?
you will learn every part doing a frame off, but you will know,
what you got when your done. may as well do it right the first time.
you will learn every part doing a frame off, but you will know,
what you got when your done. may as well do it right the first time.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
There are many levels of 'off the frame' restorations just as there are many levels of 'on the frame' restorations. It depends on your abilities, time, $$$, and goals as to what you do.
On my car I was commited to restoring every single part individually. I wanted every part to be as 'new' when I started putting it back together. I also was committed to doing everything myself except the spraying of the paint and the chrome plating. For me this turned into a long process because I was enjoying restoring a Corvette.
What you want the car to be helps decide whether the body comes off or not.
Regards,
Alan
On my car I was commited to restoring every single part individually. I wanted every part to be as 'new' when I started putting it back together. I also was committed to doing everything myself except the spraying of the paint and the chrome plating. For me this turned into a long process because I was enjoying restoring a Corvette.
What you want the car to be helps decide whether the body comes off or not.
Regards,
Alan
very KLEEN
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 5
From: South of London, Engerland
I realize only I can answer this question moving forward in the next couple of yrs., but I would like to hear how other forum members did their resto. How did you decide.
If the frame is just "surface" rust do I (we) really need to strip it and paint it ? At what point does someone strip it (or acid dip it) to paint it like new ? Could I just lift the body for the sake of "ease" to work on frame, and accomplish a decent resto ?
I will do plenty of "reading" over the winter and consulting 'vette club people, etc....
Thanks for the replies.
If the frame is just "surface" rust do I (we) really need to strip it and paint it ? At what point does someone strip it (or acid dip it) to paint it like new ? Could I just lift the body for the sake of "ease" to work on frame, and accomplish a decent resto ?
I will do plenty of "reading" over the winter and consulting 'vette club people, etc....
Thanks for the replies.
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5429
I started a body-off on my '76 kinda by accident but almost a year later (and nowhere near finished) I'm glad I did. It's a very satisfying project.
It's possible to separate the body from the chassis by a few inches to clean them both up if you don't want to go the full way or if you don't have the space but really it's not much further from this to a body lift.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
There is no such thing as a "frame on resto", it's probably the most over-used term in Corvette selling jargon on the web. The correct term for that would be "some items have been replaced or repaired".
A restoration means that the vehicle has been returned to NEW condition - doesn't necessarily mean everything is factory correct for the year, but that the vehicle's condition is the same as what you would expect if you were to go to a dealer and buy a new car. You can't do that without taking the body off.
As for what you want to do personally, if you want to enjoy the car leave the body on. For most vehicles you don't have to get that detailed... check the body mounts, frame, etc. If it all looks good, just focus on whatever cosmetic and mechanical attention it needs and then later on if it's really bugging you you can always lift the body and work on the frame.
A restoration means that the vehicle has been returned to NEW condition - doesn't necessarily mean everything is factory correct for the year, but that the vehicle's condition is the same as what you would expect if you were to go to a dealer and buy a new car. You can't do that without taking the body off.
As for what you want to do personally, if you want to enjoy the car leave the body on. For most vehicles you don't have to get that detailed... check the body mounts, frame, etc. If it all looks good, just focus on whatever cosmetic and mechanical attention it needs and then later on if it's really bugging you you can always lift the body and work on the frame.
Last edited by Ron R; Dec 16, 2008 at 10:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 5
From: the land of a never ending frame-off resto-mod. May Visa have mercy on my soul.
I am finishing up a body off on my 80. Big job? yes. Worth it? yes. Feel safe knowing fuel and brake lines are new? Gawd yes. Do I know my car? forever in my dreams. Every nut and bolt and busted knuckle. Will I ever sell it? Hellz no, not after all that work.