Gonna do the same soon but with POR-15. Never heard of "Zero-Rust" before.
Chassis Painting
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
Chassis Painting(Updated With Pics)
Hi guys, I've been meaning to post an update on the Vette for some time now. Unfortunately I can't find the USB cord for the camera so I won't be able to post any pics right now. I'll look for it first thing tomorrow morning. I've been prepping the chassis for paint and have wire brushed the driver side and will do the other side next week. The front suspension is if and also being prepped for a rebuild and paint as well. What I'm still trying to figure out is how I should go about painting the chassis. Should I do one half first and then the other, or should I do everything at once? Keep in mind that this is a body on resto. How did you guys do it when painting the chassis? I'm using "Zero-Rust" for paint. I'll try to post pics tomorrow if I can find the USB cable.
Last edited by jordan89; Aug 7, 2010 at 11:24 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
I've been staring at my daughter's 1976 rusty subframe......dreading the thought of doing a body-off resto just to clean up the frame. From what I read, the only thing that requires a body-off resto is installing a new fuel line.
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Here is my list for refurbing the frame. 1) Use an icepick or other sharp/pointed tool to probe the frame for weak areas that can be punctured; if you can't stick the pick through the frame [anywhere], you have a pretty solid frame. 2) Use a grinder or drill with a heavy wire wheel to knock off as much loose rust as you can; remaining rust that is solidly attached to the frame is not a major concern. 3) Buy at least a gallon of "rust converter" and apply it liberally to the frame so that all the remaining rust is changed into an inert compound that will no longer progess as 'rust'; this is particularly important in the areas that are difficult [or impossible] to reach with the wire wheel...use a squirt bottle, etc. to flood those areas to minimize the propogation of rust. 4) Select your "coating" of choice: Semi-gloss Rustoleum (brushed)-best 'bang' for the buck; POR-15 [or other epoxy-type paint-most expensive/best protection; or 'something else'.
Lots of work...but not 'brain surgery'. You can get it to be well prepped and well protected without removing the body.
Lots of work...but not 'brain surgery'. You can get it to be well prepped and well protected without removing the body.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
I've been staring at my daughter's 1976 rusty subframe......dreading the thought of doing a body-off resto just to clean up the frame. From what I read, the only thing that requires a body-off resto is installing a new fuel line.
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Here's a thread on the Zero Rust product:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...zero-rust.html
Great bang for the buck, and I've heard pretty good things about it
.
Last edited by jordan89; Aug 6, 2010 at 01:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
OH, it seems like a lot of prep work, but that's just me because I want everything to be done right. On their web site it says that all you need to really do is wire brush/wheel the chassis to clean it and then paint.
. On their web site it says that all you need to really do is wire brush/wheel the chassis to clean it and then paint.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've been staring at my daughter's 1976 rusty subframe......dreading the thought of doing a body-off resto just to clean up the frame. From what I read, the only thing that requires a body-off resto is installing a new fuel line.
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Bottom line...the underbody is a dirty, nasty job that needs to be done...the sooner the better. Your daughter's 34 year old car isn't getting any younger or less rusty just sitting there. Go for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,246
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I think you can do a good job with the body on. But there are a few places on the frame that you don't have access to in the rear at the kick-up over the rear suspension.
Because there is such good access further forward I was dissappointed with the results in that location, after a LOT of thought I lifted the body.
And went crazy!
Regards,
Alan
I think you can do a good job with the body on. But there are a few places on the frame that you don't have access to in the rear at the kick-up over the rear suspension.
Because there is such good access further forward I was dissappointed with the results in that location, after a LOT of thought I lifted the body.
And went crazy!
Regards,
Alan
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
A body off resto would be great if you had the time and money for it. By the look of your daughters frame and suspension, I would say that it's going to take a bit more time to get all of that off of there. My suspension and frame didn't look too bad, so it didn't take very long to remove the grime and surface rust off of the chassis. Since I don't have the time, or the budget, for a body off resto I'm just doing the body on resto. The suspension and other things like that will be rebuilt though. I'm in college right now, so both my budget and time are tight. I plan on removing the engine and tranny, to paint everything, once the car is at my friend's shop.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
How's it going Alan? I'm gonna do the best I can to get as much of the chassis painted and looking right. I didn't work on the car today because I had to go buy a couple of things I needed to continue prepping everything. I want to have my Vette looking at least half way as good as your Vettes
.
. I didn't work on the car today because I had to go buy a couple of things I needed to continue prepping everything. I want to have my Vette looking at least half way as good as your Vettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Cleaning up the frame with the body on won't give you access to the top surfaces where dirt and sand may settle. I found a lot on the top side of the cross member which the differential is bolted. You won't have access to the channels behind the rocker panels either. Are you trying to stop rust or just clean it up a bit? As others have said I found many things which needed attention when I lifted the body. With the body lifted you would have access to the entire frame and underside of the birdcage, another rust area.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
Drill bit brush. You'll never finish with a just a brush. I'm going to use a wire brush for the smaller tight areas. I still can't find that USB cord. I'm gonna use my other computer and post the pics that way. A body off resto is just not an option right now. Maybe in the future, but for now I'll be happy with what I'm doing.
. You'll never finish with a just a brush. I'm going to use a wire brush for the smaller tight areas. I still can't find that USB cord. I'm gonna use my other computer and post the pics that way. A body off resto is just not an option right now. Maybe in the future, but for now I'll be happy with what I'm doing.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 3
From: Woodinville WA
You can get to a lot of the frame without taking the body off. I thought I had a light layer of surface rust on mine judging by the color, but it turned out to be a thick layer of undercoating covered in orange/brown dirt. Once I had scraped off the undercoating I had the original frame paint exposed and just used lacquer thinner to remove and reveal the clean frame. I used Eastwood Chassis Black in an airbrush to paint the frame once it was clean.
What was under the undercoating
Removed paint with lacquer thinner
What the rear diff/suspension looked like
Mostly back together
What was under the undercoating
Removed paint with lacquer thinner
What the rear diff/suspension looked like
Mostly back together
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 3
From: Woodinville WA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Beautiful condition, looks like a nice car!
My 70 looked nothing like that when I took it apart.
Generally speaking, any car made with steel, even Corvettes, rust in the northeast.
Sometimes wish I had gone South to buy one.
Thanks for sharing..
My 70 looked nothing like that when I took it apart.
Generally speaking, any car made with steel, even Corvettes, rust in the northeast.
Sometimes wish I had gone South to buy one.
Thanks for sharing..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I've been staring at my daughter's 1976 rusty subframe......dreading the thought of doing a body-off resto just to clean up the frame. From what I read, the only thing that requires a body-off resto is installing a new fuel line.
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Can you describe your experience in rust removal/prep of the frame. Is it as simple as a wire wheel and laying on your back?
Here's what I had to start with
Take your time, use good materials and it will turn out great.
Here's the same tub after a little clean-up.
Good luck