Scratching Frame/Parts During Assembly
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Shore MD
Scratching Frame/Parts During Assembly
Does it drive anyone else nuts when they scratch the frame or other parts during assembly? I have 75 that im working on (frame off). I just about have a rolling chassis. Everytime I scratch the frame of any part I get so pissed. I know i can touch it up. All the time i spent painting/clear coating parts and then I scratch them up. The lower control arms/coil springs got it the worst so far. Anyone else fell this way? Sorry I just had to vent.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
I was adjusting the "v" letter in Corvette while reinstalling parts and a screwdriver left a pinpoint sized mark in my newly repainted rear section. Just a divit in the paint. No primer showing. "Touching-up" just made it worse and the blemish kept getting larger. I ended up repainting the rear 1/3 of the car. That was after I had to strip off all the parts and bumper (again). To tell the truth, you would have needed to get within 6 inches with a magnifying glass to see the original mark. Lesson? Unavoidable. Live with it, if minor. Being a perfectionist will drive you insane.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 673
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne Victoria
"............. scratch the frame or other parts during assembly?"
I'm ya man,
So what ya need scratching/denting ??
I just removed my amp from rear compartment
(No screwdrivers. spanners or tools required)
and (this time) NO scratches on the Amp,
(but one hell of a dent in my head).
Yeaaaa....
I'm ya man,So what ya need scratching/denting ??
I just removed my amp from rear compartment
(No screwdrivers. spanners or tools required)
and (this time) NO scratches on the Amp,
(but one hell of a dent in my head).
Yeaaaa....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I'm restoring front suspension and steering. Most parts got powder coated so scratching is not much of an issue. However, I had to spray paint a few parts. After letting them dry for a few days I was holding two parts admiring my work when I dropped on part onto the other. Scratched both of them and uttered a few curse words.
Jim
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Yes! It's happened way too often to me.
The problem I ran into more than scratches was that the washer, nut, or head, on a bolt would pull off the paint of the painted part a little bit beyond the area the washer or head would cover.
I'm continuing to battle that. Right now I have the 2 black painted brackets that mount the center grill hanging in my garage with a new coat of paint on them. I've probably painted them 6 times.
It's all in fun!
Regards,
Alan
Yes! It's happened way too often to me.
The problem I ran into more than scratches was that the washer, nut, or head, on a bolt would pull off the paint of the painted part a little bit beyond the area the washer or head would cover.
I'm continuing to battle that. Right now I have the 2 black painted brackets that mount the center grill hanging in my garage with a new coat of paint on them. I've probably painted them 6 times.
It's all in fun!
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Hi,
Yes! It's happened way too often to me.
The problem I ran into more than scratches was that the washer, nut, or head, on a bolt would pull off the paint of the painted part a little bit beyond the area the washer or head would cover.
I'm continuing to battle that. Right now I have the 2 black painted brackets that mount the center grill hanging in my garage with a new coat of paint on them. I've probably painted them 6 times.
It's all in fun!
Regards,
Alan
Yes! It's happened way too often to me.
The problem I ran into more than scratches was that the washer, nut, or head, on a bolt would pull off the paint of the painted part a little bit beyond the area the washer or head would cover.
I'm continuing to battle that. Right now I have the 2 black painted brackets that mount the center grill hanging in my garage with a new coat of paint on them. I've probably painted them 6 times.
It's all in fun!
Regards,
Alan
Here is a suggestion.
When I paint a part that a washer or bolt head or nut may cause the paint to be damaged, I lightly glue a washer or stick a bolt in place and paint around it. Once the paint dries the actual washer is not really touching the paint.
Regards
David
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
What I do. After the assembly is finished for sure. Touch up the part with a small hobby type paint brush. Sometimes multiple coats will be needed to bring the surface up to the same level as the surrounding paint. I try to use plated bolts/nuts when possible. No matter what you do some blemishes will happen. On a C3 however, it will almost always be better than what the General did.
mike...
mike...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
I started off using spray paint for a lot of parts after I blasted(primer, coat, clear...)
after a year I bit the bullet and bought a used $50 oven and a $100 powdercoating kit and I'll NEVER go back to spray paint. I wish I had done it from the start as now I have to go back and blast all my suspension parts again.
I'd recommend powdercoating to anyone as the first thing they should buy when they get their car(along with a sand blaster).
Not as thick or nice as parts from the stores but still any color I want in 30min...
Did my whole frame with my $20 propane heater(probably not the best job ever)
Tested out flat vs. black chrome(went with flat)
Tested out Starlight Red vs. Red Wagon( Went with Red Wagon)
after a year I bit the bullet and bought a used $50 oven and a $100 powdercoating kit and I'll NEVER go back to spray paint. I wish I had done it from the start as now I have to go back and blast all my suspension parts again.
I'd recommend powdercoating to anyone as the first thing they should buy when they get their car(along with a sand blaster).
Not as thick or nice as parts from the stores but still any color I want in 30min...
Did my whole frame with my $20 propane heater(probably not the best job ever)
Tested out flat vs. black chrome(went with flat)
Tested out Starlight Red vs. Red Wagon( Went with Red Wagon)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi pv,
Your description mentions something that's the reason I didn't use powder coating on anything but the frame on my 71.
THICKNESS. I feel that the p'coated small parts have a finish that's too thick looking for typical factory production.
You imply that at home you can control the thickness... can you?
Regards,
Alan
Your description mentions something that's the reason I didn't use powder coating on anything but the frame on my 71.
THICKNESS. I feel that the p'coated small parts have a finish that's too thick looking for typical factory production.
You imply that at home you can control the thickness... can you?
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
To a degree. If the part has lots of bends, you will have a thicker coating because its harder to apply the powder into the bends, thus you get closer to the part with the nozzle. You can go a little thinner on the flat parts.
I'll powdercoat most stuff which will fit in my oven. Anything larger I farm out.
I'll powdercoat most stuff which will fit in my oven. Anything larger I farm out.
Last edited by stinger12; Jan 14, 2012 at 05:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi J,
Yes, it really does drive you insane!!!
But, you have this satisfied feeling as they strap the straight jacket on!
Seriously....Everyone works on their car in a different way, and that's what makes it interesting for me to see what people are doing.
I never shed a tear (just blood) during the 15+ years I was working on it... but I shed more than a few tears when I DROVE it out of the driveway for the first time.
Regards,
Alan
You're a perfectionist in the way you're willing to tackle EVERYTHING!
Yes, it really does drive you insane!!!
But, you have this satisfied feeling as they strap the straight jacket on!
Seriously....Everyone works on their car in a different way, and that's what makes it interesting for me to see what people are doing.
I never shed a tear (just blood) during the 15+ years I was working on it... but I shed more than a few tears when I DROVE it out of the driveway for the first time.
Regards,
Alan
You're a perfectionist in the way you're willing to tackle EVERYTHING!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Hi pv,
Your description mentions something that's the reason I didn't use powder coating on anything but the frame on my 71.
THICKNESS. I feel that the p'coated small parts have a finish that's too thick looking for typical factory production.
You imply that at home you can control the thickness... can you?
Regards,
Alan
Your description mentions something that's the reason I didn't use powder coating on anything but the frame on my 71.
THICKNESS. I feel that the p'coated small parts have a finish that's too thick looking for typical factory production.
You imply that at home you can control the thickness... can you?
Regards,
Alan
You can control how much you spray on to parts at home. A thin coating will do usually. And some of the guns come with variable voltage for smaller/larger part. Obviously if you want thick you just keep spraying it till it's so thick it doesn't cling to the parts anymore...then you heat it up a bit and spray some more!
I think i'd have a harder time making my powder thick then I would keeping it normal/thin like...
