Greg73convertible

Want to do a frame off , don't care about looking stock, what better ? Acid dip or sand blasting for a 73 frame.

mrvette

Acid dip, easy....it gets the inside of the frame also....I understand you can then dip it again to stop rust inside the frame....

sandblasting just get the outside....major flaw problem, IMO....

I do anything I thinking of getting some box steel, and setting up a jig in the garage, and getting my buddy over here to MAKE me a frame....

the ones I want are some 7? grand and seen at NCRS last winter Kissamee...and for that price I BETTER get a kiss....

but it's EVER so much better than any stock frame.....

stinger12

Acid Pros:
Acid will remove the rust from inside the frame.

Acid Cons:
Surface is extremely smooth, which regular paint won't stick too. Powdercoating, on the other hand, will stick just fine to it.

Sandblasting Pros:
The surface is prepped perfectly for regular paint. Cheaper than acid dipping.

Sandblasting Cons:
The rust is not removed from the inside of the frame.

I'd go with the sandblasting - your never going to see the inside of the frame anyways...

BigBlockk

Frames generally rot from the inside out. It is better to get all the rust off and out, then get something on and in there to keep it from coming back.

BigBlockk

Later.....

400hp427vette

no rust is better than the smallest amount

Belgian1979vette

Actually I don't think you will be able to treat all the surfaces on the interior of the frame as they should unless the intire frame is dipped in a protective paint of some sort. That way you would get even more rust.

Rust itsself doesn't do anything, it's moisture that kills.

I would advice against dipping it.

I had my frame blasted, then treated with zinc and then powdercoated. The zinc will protect the inside of the frame also because of its properties.

stinger12

Exactly. If you think rust is what kills a frame, you are incorrect. It is moisture which is the issue here...not the rust itself. THere is a process where you spray waxy oil into the frame rails which prevents rust from forming, and it is relatively cheap too.

I'm Batman

Rust isn't the problem, but it is the end product of the problem.

BB72

Better spray that after the frame is painted!

ShinodaVette

I had mine dipped because I was concerned about the inside of the frame. I used "Restoration Depot" in Wauchula, Florida and I DO NOT recommend them for this. It took them 4 weeks longer than they said and then they didn't even get the frame completely clean. I had to then pay somebody to finish it up with a sandblaster. The company was a pain to deal with all the way around.

Afterwards, I had the frame powder coated by Van Steel and then I did the spray wax thing inside the frame to protect it. It's hard to say how well the wax covered the inside but I'm happy with it overall I think.

LeMans Pete

This may be a stupid question, but can you not etch the frame after dipping?

stinger12

Maybe - I guess you could...

400hp427vette

what is this product? I would like to purchase it

stinger12

I haven't done it yet, not sure if I am going to either...my car is nevr going to see the rain and it is really dry here in calgary. Here's an old thread...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ht=frame+rails

stinger12

Try searching "waxoyl" or "ziebart" on google.

AWilson

I just hap mine sandblasted and powder coated for $450. Dipping was an attractive option but it would have cost about $650 more. I was going to use Redi-Strip.
http://www.redistripco.com/
They don't use acid. They have an alkaline imersion process. You don't want acid as it cannot be completely washed out and will continue to corrode and also seep onto the outside and remove your finish!

Like others here have said it is the moisture that corrodes the cars. For instance why do cars from the West look so much better? Low moisture. In other words do the outside and keep it in the garage and it will last as long as you need it to.
If you want, you can use a coating on the inside, I believe Eastwood sells something. Or you can use boiled linseed oil. It crawls up the walls on the inside and coats the metal and becomes sticky. They have used this on the inside of steel tube airframes for 50+ years. It works. You would need a couple gallons or more to coat the frame and it should be done after finishing the outside.

ShinodaVette

I used this Eastwood Heavy Duty Anti Rust on mine - http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...roductID=11183