window frame/bird cage access?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
window frame/bird cage access?
I know I have at least some surface rust, I can see it around my vin#. Permatex makes a rust converter in a aresol spray can. This stuff kills/stops rust very well. I have a primered jeep thats been sitting out side for several years to prove it. I'd like to spray anything I can get to with out a ton of dissasembly. Can I get to much of the structure by removing trim pieces,kick panels ect? I know this just a band-aide but its a pretty good one if I can get to any of it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 71/454,
I realize you don't want to hear this but there's a GOOD chance the rust is starting in places you can't see, therefore you'll be able to coat only the result of the rusting problem not the cause of the problem. In many cases the worst rust is under the windshield itself, and that's why dealing with rust can become a big job.
A couple of pictures might help folks see what your facing and give you some more guidance.
Regards,
Alan
I realize you don't want to hear this but there's a GOOD chance the rust is starting in places you can't see, therefore you'll be able to coat only the result of the rusting problem not the cause of the problem. In many cases the worst rust is under the windshield itself, and that's why dealing with rust can become a big job.
A couple of pictures might help folks see what your facing and give you some more guidance.
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Alan is correct here. My frame only had minor visable surface rust on it until I remove the windshield. Both top corners had holes and a hole in the top cross bar.
At the very least, pull the windshield trim and have a look.
At the very least, pull the windshield trim and have a look.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
When I started my project I didn't think my windshield frame would be all that bad either, but I decided to do some 'exploring' anyway just to be sure. The end result was complete removal of the front clip and firewall followed by a lot of repairs to the windsheild frame upper and lower coners. If you care to view my misery, I documented the process on my website:
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...or_removal.htm
The work spans several updates, so you'll have to click through a few pages to get a flavor of what the work entailed. Ultimately it wasn't really hard to do, just very time consuming.
Also, based on my own experience, the only way to really stop corrosion is to clean the area down to bare metal and then repaint. The 'rust converter' products do ok at slowing the rate of corrosion, but after a while the rust does come back.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Tim
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...or_removal.htm
The work spans several updates, so you'll have to click through a few pages to get a flavor of what the work entailed. Ultimately it wasn't really hard to do, just very time consuming.
Also, based on my own experience, the only way to really stop corrosion is to clean the area down to bare metal and then repaint. The 'rust converter' products do ok at slowing the rate of corrosion, but after a while the rust does come back.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Tim
Last edited by Maine Vette; Jan 22, 2009 at 01:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
hey thanks guys.. yes I know theres probally a nightmare waiting for me under there but i'm not going there right now.. just want to slow it up a bit and buy some time. so window trim and kick panels I guess is as far as I can go right now? "should write a book" whats that mean? anybody thats got a project, you have got to look though that corvette restore paqe posted above is a fantastic project to look over. I have used it a ton so far, and I just started.. everyone should check it out..
Last edited by 71coupe454; Jan 22, 2009 at 04:08 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 993
Likes: 44
From: Jefferson Hills PA
When I started my project I didn't think my windshield frame would be all that bad either, but I decided to do some 'exploring' anyway just to be sure. The end result was complete removal of the front clip and firewall followed by a lot of repairs to the windsheild frame upper and lower coners. If you care to view my misery, I documented the process on my website:
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...or_removal.htm
The work spans several updates, so you'll have to click through a few pages to get a flavor of what the work entailed. Ultimately it wasn't really hard to do, just very time consuming.
Also, based on my own experience, the only way to really stop corrosion is to clean the area down to bare metal and then repaint. The 'rust converter' products do ok at slowing the rate of corrosion, but after a while the rust does come back.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Tim
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...or_removal.htm
The work spans several updates, so you'll have to click through a few pages to get a flavor of what the work entailed. Ultimately it wasn't really hard to do, just very time consuming.
Also, based on my own experience, the only way to really stop corrosion is to clean the area down to bare metal and then repaint. The 'rust converter' products do ok at slowing the rate of corrosion, but after a while the rust does come back.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Tim
Ned
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
Tim, excellent restoration project!!! Im into my 69 427/400 restoration to the point of painting the frame and starting reassembly of the frame. I love the way you just took off the firewall. Now I might have to do that. How was in to reinstall? Alignment go ok? Again beautiful job, hope you dont mind if I steal some of your ideas.
Ned
Ned
Tim
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
You could probably buy yourself some time by applying some of the rust converter and then making sure everything is sealed up very well once the windshield is installed. It might be obvious, but the longer you wait the more the cancer spreads. I completely understand not wanting to rip everything apart though, it's a huge undertaking.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 993
Likes: 44
From: Jefferson Hills PA
Im considering taking all the fiberglass off and redo the entire birdcage too. I saw pictures on here of a guy that did it and it was great. He had it gold galvanize plated. I have to find that post. Ok since you talked me into it, if your phone rings at 2 A.M. some day 
dont be surprised !!!!! Thanks, Ned
