acid dipping and powder coating 1966corvette frame

[Matt Miozzi]

Hi I live in Cleveland Ohio and am currently restoring a 1966 corvette. I already have the body off the frame and am currently looking for a reputable place nearby to take the frame to be acid dipped and then powder coated. If you know of any place with a good reputation to take my frame please get back to me.
Thanks,

Matt

[Ron Still]

Re: acid dipping and powder coating 1966corvette f

Matt,
When I did my 66 I took the frame to Redi Strip. Very happy with results. I'm in Illinois but I know they have locations in several states. Try looking them up on internet for location near you. If you need assistance, let me know. Mine was done 11 years ago so I'm not sure they are still around.

Ron

[Stephen W.]

Re: acid dipping and powder coating 1966corvette f

Question about acid dipping. What happens inside the frame? Are they able to neutralize these areas? I guess my concern would be with corrosion that may now be accelerated from this process.

[Rob A.]

Re: acid dipping and powder coating 1966corvette f

I understand that years ago, it was a concern and that some very expensively restored vehicles that had their frames chemically stripped, only to have it seep out later causing serious damage. Now they are aware of how important it is to rinse all the areas in the frame with neutralizing solution. In fact, the solution actually leaves a protective coating after it is applied. I visited a redi-strip shop in my area recently, and although I didn't have them do my frame, it appeared that they pay particular attention to the areas where the stripping chemicals tend to sit in the frame and make sure they are removed and/or neutralized. Although I didn't have my frame done there, I wouldn't hesitate to have them do one in the future after talking to them and watching their process.

[Ron Still]

Re: acid dipping and powder coating 1966corvette f

Rob,
Very well said. The way it was explained to me was that it really wasn't acid dip, it was some type of reverse electroplating process that pulled the rust from the metal. After removal, it was rinsed and coated with some kind of neutralizing solution as you said. I took my frame to the car wash and rinsed it off, brouhgt it home and dryed it and then primered and painted. That was 10 years ago and it still looks like new. I didn't have mine powder coated, I used a Rustoleum Industrial product. If I had to do over, I probably would powder coat but I'm very pleased with how mine turned out. Should out last me!

PS It cost me $450 for the frame, upper and lower control arms, trailing arms and rear cross member support.

Ron

[James W.]

Re: acid dipping and powder coating 1966corvette f

Matt,

There is a very good Redistrip facility in Indianapolis, IN. They do a lot of street rod bodies and frames. Next spring, some fellow NCRS Nebraska Chapter members plan to make the trip to Indy to have their C2 frames dipped. There is a Redistrip location in the western suburbs of Chicago, but in talking to the shop in Indy, they assured us that they know what they are doing and have done many Corvette frames in the past with great success. I don't have the phone number handy, but their website is www.redistripindy.com. They actually have a picture of a C2 frame that has been dipped on their website.

Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.