Body off Methodology...
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Body off Methodology...
In terms of Corvette body off restoration, I'm curious as to the correct sequence of events. Particularly, I'm curious as to how body stripping, body
work, and painting coincides with the frame and running gear restoration.
Is it easiest to strip before disassembly and paint after reassembly? Where should panel replacement occur? (before, during, or after removing the frame and body) If you paint after mating the newly redone frame and running gear, how do you keep the newly detailed frame looking clean? Or should you paint the body on the dolly, in which case you try not to scratch it during the reassembly process? Which method is preferred for your typical shadetree mechanic/restorer?
Someone cut the 4 fender lips :mad on my 1966 Roadster that I'd like to have replaced. Does the whole panel need to be replaced even though the car is accident free and everthing else is intact?
...curious
work, and painting coincides with the frame and running gear restoration.
Is it easiest to strip before disassembly and paint after reassembly? Where should panel replacement occur? (before, during, or after removing the frame and body) If you paint after mating the newly redone frame and running gear, how do you keep the newly detailed frame looking clean? Or should you paint the body on the dolly, in which case you try not to scratch it during the reassembly process? Which method is preferred for your typical shadetree mechanic/restorer?
Someone cut the 4 fender lips :mad on my 1966 Roadster that I'd like to have replaced. Does the whole panel need to be replaced even though the car is accident free and everthing else is intact?
...curious
#2
Burning Brakes
Re: Body off Methodology... (Top_Notch)
I wish I knew the one and only best answer to the frame off question. I am the average shade tree kind of guy. I built a 24x24 heated/cooled, cable television, phone, and half bath shop just to do my car projects. Since it is a dedicated building, I can leave things spread open as long as needed.
I am in the middle of a frame off on my 69 rag top. I went through the same questions. I had to bond a new front clip as well as add the fender flares.
There are risks involved in all the methods out there.
I opted to finish the frame, strip and repair the body from the firewall back on a wooden dolly, then bond the front clip with the main body bolted and shimmed to the frame. I will have to take extra caution and time to avoid getting overspray on my fresh frame and suspension.
I am also going to paint the car, then drop in the motor. Reason is, I don't want to get any oily hand prints on the fresh primer. I also don't want any overspray to creep in on the engine.
I face the risk of scratching something. I think that is far less than painting the body off the frame, then taking a chance on cracking or dropping it while putting it back on the frame.
Is this the best way to do it? Who knows?
I think you need to look at your resources and decide which best fits your situation.
I added fender lips after installing my fender flares to give them a finished factory look. There are several methods to do this. I cut the lip out of the stock pieces that I had cut out in favor of the flares, then bonded them into the flares. I had to cut them in a few places to get the new arch.
You can also take aluminum flashing and trim it to the shape of the fender lip. Put some wax paper on the aluminum and fiberglass some mat or cloth to the aluminum. After it dries, snap the fiberglass piece off and bond it into your fender.
One other method. Cut some cardboard to the shape of the lip and tape it into the fender. Run a layer of tape over the exposed piece of cardboard. Pre cut the stips of cloth or mat (make sure you roughed up the inside lip of the fender and set the taped cardboard lip back about 1/16" or so). Mix up some hot resin and paint it on the lip, then stick the cloth on.
After that dries, the cardboard should come out rather easy because you covered it in tape. Now you can go up inside the fender and add some extra cloth and wipe a coat of filler over the outside and sand to fit.
I am in the middle of a frame off on my 69 rag top. I went through the same questions. I had to bond a new front clip as well as add the fender flares.
There are risks involved in all the methods out there.
I opted to finish the frame, strip and repair the body from the firewall back on a wooden dolly, then bond the front clip with the main body bolted and shimmed to the frame. I will have to take extra caution and time to avoid getting overspray on my fresh frame and suspension.
I am also going to paint the car, then drop in the motor. Reason is, I don't want to get any oily hand prints on the fresh primer. I also don't want any overspray to creep in on the engine.
I face the risk of scratching something. I think that is far less than painting the body off the frame, then taking a chance on cracking or dropping it while putting it back on the frame.
Is this the best way to do it? Who knows?
I think you need to look at your resources and decide which best fits your situation.
I added fender lips after installing my fender flares to give them a finished factory look. There are several methods to do this. I cut the lip out of the stock pieces that I had cut out in favor of the flares, then bonded them into the flares. I had to cut them in a few places to get the new arch.
You can also take aluminum flashing and trim it to the shape of the fender lip. Put some wax paper on the aluminum and fiberglass some mat or cloth to the aluminum. After it dries, snap the fiberglass piece off and bond it into your fender.
One other method. Cut some cardboard to the shape of the lip and tape it into the fender. Run a layer of tape over the exposed piece of cardboard. Pre cut the stips of cloth or mat (make sure you roughed up the inside lip of the fender and set the taped cardboard lip back about 1/16" or so). Mix up some hot resin and paint it on the lip, then stick the cloth on.
After that dries, the cardboard should come out rather easy because you covered it in tape. Now you can go up inside the fender and add some extra cloth and wipe a coat of filler over the outside and sand to fit.
#3
Re: Body off Methodology... (69Myway)
You know, I'm starting a frame off resto on my '78 and to tell you the truth, thats the kind of question I won't ask on the forum cause thats the fun part about it! There is no bad sequence of doing things unless you're being illogic which I doubt cause you bought a corvette. lol. Personally I think about it as 2 parts and one of my goals will be to get the body off the frame as soon as possible. Then I'll be able to work on the mechanic or the body when I feel like it.
#4
Burning Brakes
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Re: Body off Methodology... (Top_Notch)
After 2 years of the body being off my 69 I'm getting very close to returning it to the chassis. I have the same concerns about the over spray/dust on my nice clean chassis/motor. I have stripped the old paint off the body and installed a new front valance while the body has been sitting on the dolly and that is where I'm calling it good. I plan to replace the quarter panels while the body is on the frame because I do not want to risk cracking anything trying to put the body back on. Also with the body bolted to the frame I think it will make the allignment of the panels more accurate. This of coarse also means gelcoating, priming, and painting the body on the frame. I know I will have quit a bit of frame clean up after it is all done. The best you can do is try to mask and cover everything up as best as possible that you don't want over spray on.
#5
Burning Brakes
Re: Body off Methodology... (Top_Notch)
I forgot to mention, several experts suggest wrapping the frame in plastic and making holes for the frame mounts. This way, after all is done the plastic can be trimmed out leaving a clean and overspray free frame.
#6
Le Mans Master
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Re: Body off Methodology... (69Myway)
Saran Wrap or a similar product would work pretty good for this kind of stuff. Wrap it up, do your work then peel it off.
#7
Le Mans Master
Re: Body off Methodology... (69Myway)
If your spraying a solid color, I have heard of people test fitting the body on and off while it is still in primer mode and then spraying the color and clear coats with the body on the dolly and going through the wet sand process but not buffing the paint until it's been remounted to the body. If any small nicks, scratches occur, then they can be fixed and touched up before final polishing takes place.