C3 1982 Frame Finish - NCRS Discussion Boards

C3 1982 Frame Finish

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  • Mark P.
    Very Frequent User
    • July 31, 2003
    • 407

    C3 1982 Frame Finish

    What finish should a C3 frame have on a 1982? I've seen a lot of information on C2's but not so much for C3's. Any help is appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Mark
    Mark Pugmire
    54 Pennant Blue
    56 Cascade Green Dual Quad
    56 Arctic Blue Dual Quad
    66 Nassau Blue 427 L36 Convertible
    67 Marlboro Maroon L79 Coupe
  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43229

    #2
    Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

    Mark------

    Frame finish was the same for all C3's as it was for all C2's. It was a VERY dark brown asphaltic coating that appears as a medium gloss black. You can purchase this coating from Quanta. However, I don't recommend it for a driven car as it's not very durable.
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

    Comment

    • Dick W.
      Former NCRS Director Region IV
      • June 30, 1985
      • 10483

      #3
      Dick Whittington

      Comment

      • Denny J.
        Very Frequent User
        • November 1, 2000
        • 244

        #4
        Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

        Dick
        At the paint store they have a premixed paint called "chassis black" It is very thin,sprays right from the can.This is used on the frames.
        I was told at the factory and the end of the day,They would all empty there paint cups into a drum and the next day they would use that paint to paint the frames.Did you ever hear that before.Denny72

        Comment

        • Patrick H.
          Beyond Control Poster
          • December 1, 1989
          • 11647

          #5
          Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

          In Boston, Ron Goduti and I were discussing this exact thing. He suggests, based on his extensive research, that the paint was changed to enamel as early as in late 1968. I know it changed to enamel, per our discussion and my own observation, by 1971.

          At the National I judged 70-72 Bowtie chassis. Some of these cars (two) had been "prepped" and cleaned, and if the cleaner used removed the thin asphaltic coating from the tie rod tubes (which it did, as discussed last week in a different thread) one would assume it would also have removed the frame paint, which it did not. After the Boston national event, I had the chance to go look at the underneath of a very low mile 71 with the nicest undercarriage I have seen in a long, long, long time. It looks like the car was built last month. The paint does not appear to me to be any type of asphaltic coating.

          Some of you have seen far more Corvette chassis than I ever have or will. However, I would suggest that the persistence of asphaltic paint into the C3 era beyond its beginning is Urban Legend.

          Go ahead and flame me now.

          Patrick
          Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
          71 "deer modified" coupe
          72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
          2008 coupe
          Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

          Comment

          • Denny J.
            Very Frequent User
            • November 1, 2000
            • 244

            #6
            Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

            Hi Patrick!
            I herd you judged,I would love to here all about it.I have many?
            Screw the paint -How have you been.Good to hear it.

            Ok -back to the paint on the 71
            Have you herd that story about the reused paint?
            Also no one has been under my 72 and I love you see it soon.Just to add to your collection of seen unrestored cars.
            Patrick my car is OPEN any time to you.BRING YOUR CAMERA Denny72

            Comment

            • Joe L.
              Beyond Control Poster
              • February 1, 1988
              • 43229

              #7
              Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

              Patrick------

              I can say for absolute certain that the "paint" on my 1969's frame was an asphaltic coating. It wiped off with gasoline. I agree that it looked like semi-gloss black paint. That's what I thought it was, too, until it wiped clean with gasoline and left dark brown material on the rag.

              I am completely unaware that there was a change in the frame coating material through the rest of the C3 period.
              In Appreciation of John Hinckley

              Comment

              • Joe L.
                Beyond Control Poster
                • February 1, 1988
                • 43229

                #8
                Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

                Denny-----

                That story has to be a myth. First of all, the frames were not "painted" at St. Louis. They were coated at the A.O. Smith manufacturing plant in Milwaukee (for C3's).

                Second, the painters at St. Louis didn't use "paint cups". The paint was supplied from bulk storage through dedicated hoses.
                In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                Comment

                • Patrick H.
                  Beyond Control Poster
                  • December 1, 1989
                  • 11647

                  #9
                  Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

                  Joe,

                  Ron did a lot of research many years ago when restoring his LT-1. He actually has examples of many of the original finishes used on the car, from the original companies. I can't recall the exact date of the frame coating switch though he may be able to do so.

                  Patrick
                  Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
                  71 "deer modified" coupe
                  72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
                  2008 coupe
                  Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

                  Comment

                  • Terry M.
                    Beyond Control Poster
                    • September 30, 1980
                    • 15604

                    #10
                    Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

                    I vividly remember the frame coating on my 1970 coming off in sheets at the quarter car wash when the car was just a few weeks old. I doubt "asphaltic coating" would come off like that, but then WDIK.
                    The real test is "does it look like the factory coating?"
                    Terry

                    Comment

                    • Patrick H.
                      Beyond Control Poster
                      • December 1, 1989
                      • 11647

                      #11
                      Re: C3 1982 Frame Finish

                      Denny,

                      I peeked at the bottom of your car when it was at Bloomington; does that count?

                      I wouldn't mind a peek, especially if you have access to a lift.

                      Patrick
                      Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
                      71 "deer modified" coupe
                      72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
                      2008 coupe
                      Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

                      Comment

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