E-coat frame or not??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 5
From: Madison Wisconsin
E-coat frame or not??
I have a '73 convertible that I pulled the body on and disassembled the frame. I am having the frame, control arms, and trailing arms dipped to remove all the rust. The cost is $700. If I want everything e-coated it's an additional $900. I can have just the frame e-coated for $550. I don't know if it's worth doing any e-coating or maybe just the frame since the e-coating is a dipped process that should coat the entire inside of the frame. Part of me says don't cheap out and at least have the frame e-coated. But then I've read about some products from Eastwood that seem like they'd do a decent job for a fraction of the cost. I am really torn. This is not going to be a show car, but rather I hope it turns out to be a nice restoration that is also a car I want to drive on a regular basis.
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I have a '73 convertible that I pulled the body on and disassembled the frame. I am having the frame, control arms, and trailing arms dipped to remove all the rust. The cost is $700. If I want everything e-coated it's an additional $900. I can have just the frame e-coated for $550. I don't know if it's worth doing any e-coating or maybe just the frame since the e-coating is a dipped process that should coat the entire inside of the frame. Part of me says don't cheap out and at least have the frame e-coated. But then I've read about some products from Eastwood that seem like they'd do a decent job for a fraction of the cost. I am really torn. This is not going to be a show car, but rather I hope it turns out to be a nice restoration that is also a car I want to drive on a regular basis.
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Are you trying to create a "museum" piece that will last FOREVER? Or are you creating a very nice "driver" car? If you are not going for museum quality or NCRS Top Flight awards, why spend that amount of money on it? Few people will actually SEE it...except for you. Just get it blasted well and paint it with a good quality frame paint or epoxy paint (if you must). Spend your money more wisely on things that are meaningful. You won't be driving the car in [salt-laden] winter conditions. Why go nuts on the frame?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 44
From: flemington n.j.
I have a '73 convertible that I pulled the body on and disassembled the frame. I am having the frame, control arms, and trailing arms dipped to remove all the rust. The cost is $700. If I want everything e-coated it's an additional $900. I can have just the frame e-coated for $550. I don't know if it's worth doing any e-coating or maybe just the frame since the e-coating is a dipped process that should coat the entire inside of the frame. Part of me says don't cheap out and at least have the frame e-coated. But then I've read about some products from Eastwood that seem like they'd do a decent job for a fraction of the cost. I am really torn. This is not going to be a show car, but rather I hope it turns out to be a nice restoration that is also a car I want to drive on a regular basis.
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
Blasting does nothing to benefit the interior of frame. Dip the frame and e-coat or take your dipped frame to your local Ziebart dealer and have interior of frame coated. Then prime and paint exterior. You only get one chance to do it right. http://www.ziebart.com/ziebart---home/locations
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
This was my thought...not about the dipping specifically (although that would be the best way to get ALL The contaminants out), but about doing it RIGHT.
If you have a bare frame in your hands, you're going to be a SPLENDID amount of money spent to get the car back on the road. Debating spending $1k versus $2k on the foundation of the car makes it seem that this is the last money you'll spend on the project.
To me it's a no-brainer. Do whatever it is you want to the frame to make it last as long as possible.
I'm not talking about spending $7k on the thing...I'd get a new SRIII for that...I'm just talking about not splitting hairs. Do it right...whatever you think right is.
If you have a bare frame in your hands, you're going to be a SPLENDID amount of money spent to get the car back on the road. Debating spending $1k versus $2k on the foundation of the car makes it seem that this is the last money you'll spend on the project.
To me it's a no-brainer. Do whatever it is you want to the frame to make it last as long as possible.
I'm not talking about spending $7k on the thing...I'd get a new SRIII for that...I'm just talking about not splitting hairs. Do it right...whatever you think right is.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
After I got my frame back from powdercoating, I coated the inside of the frame with Fluid Film.
http://www.fluid-film.com/applications/automotive/
http://www.fluid-film.com/applications/automotive/
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
It sounds pricy but I'd think you would be happy with the end result. You do only get one chance to get the frame how you want it without pulling it all apart again.
At work, I've seen enough cases of powder coating starting to peel due to contamination under it that I would be hesitant to do a frame. Sure, it works great when done perfectly, but it becomes a complete mess that is very hard to fix if it's not sticking or rust is spreading underneath it.
Another option I've seen work well was to hot dip galvanize the frame. That also gets everywhere and then you can coat it with a cheaper chassis paint. If it gets a scratch through the galvanizing the metal only rusts at that spot so the rust won't spread out under the paint for a long time.
At work, I've seen enough cases of powder coating starting to peel due to contamination under it that I would be hesitant to do a frame. Sure, it works great when done perfectly, but it becomes a complete mess that is very hard to fix if it's not sticking or rust is spreading underneath it.
Another option I've seen work well was to hot dip galvanize the frame. That also gets everywhere and then you can coat it with a cheaper chassis paint. If it gets a scratch through the galvanizing the metal only rusts at that spot so the rust won't spread out under the paint for a long time.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Dec 12, 2013 at 12:57 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Are you trying to create a "museum" piece that will last FOREVER? Or are you creating a very nice "driver" car? If you are not going for museum quality or NCRS Top Flight awards, why spend that amount of money on it? Few people will actually SEE it...except for you. Just get it blasted well and paint it with a good quality frame paint or epoxy paint (if you must). Spend your money more wisely on things that are meaningful. You won't be driving the car in [salt-laden] winter conditions. Why go nuts on the frame?
My frame is in perfect condition and I believe one of the main reasons for being in that condition is all the oil and grime built up over the years stops any rust from forming. Just one persons opinion.
Don't get me wrong it still looks OK but it's what your car is going to look like a few years down the road after spending thousands cleaning it up, worse you could expose some areas that might even rust.
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 158
Likes: 1
From: Ct
I have a '73 convertible that I pulled the body on and disassembled the frame. I am having the frame, control arms, and trailing arms dipped to remove all the rust. The cost is $700. If I want everything e-coated it's an additional $900. I can have just the frame e-coated for $550. I don't know if it's worth doing any e-coating or maybe just the frame since the e-coating is a dipped process that should coat the entire inside of the frame. Part of me says don't cheap out and at least have the frame e-coated. But then I've read about some products from Eastwood that seem like they'd do a decent job for a fraction of the cost. I am really torn. This is not going to be a show car, but rather I hope it turns out to be a nice restoration that is also a car I want to drive on a regular basis.
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
I really appreciate any advice from the Forum.
Thanks,
Jim
PeteL46
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
Just remember.
"While your at it itis" will add up to 10's of thousands of dollars that you will never get back. You could say what your saying about the frame on every system, subsystem and part on the car.
Good luck with the resto.