1969 Frame Finishes

[Ned T.]

What coating is acceptable for judging? I had my frame hot dip galvanized to remove all rust inside frame rails and for protection for the future. I dont need POR-15 since that was designed for rusted metal. I was thinking powdercoating but it isnt very serviceable later on. I was considering an acrylic enamel with a hardening agent to avoid chips. What finish is acceptable, should it be SATIN finish and not Gloss. I see lots of frames gloss finish, just doesnt seem correct.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

"I was thinking powdercoating but it isnt very serviceable later on."
My impression of hot dip galvanizing (as in old fashioned garbage cans) is that it is not very serviceable later on either. Am I wrong?

If your frame is hot dipped I believe there will be a surface texture that is unlike the factory surface. Whatever you apply will have to fill in that surface texture if the frame is to look anything like it did originally. I have no idea what would do that.

[Ned T.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

The frame came out very smooth actually. It is a 5mil coating. It has some "chunks" of galvanizing around some of the corners but they knock right off. My main purpose was to coat the inside. I am sanding the outside surface and detailing all the corners. The paint will give it the protection it needs. You will never know its been galvanized to look at. I will also spray paint in every hole in the frame to blacken it out inside. I have seen alot of cars with a black frame, but at the right angle you see the rust inside. Should the frame be Satin Finish paint??

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

I have seen most original frames as slightly glossier than satin. And I remember one 1100 mile example that was extremely glossy. I could have shaved in the reflection (if I were up to such barbaric activity ) -- and that is my definition of glossy.

I would encourage you to take the time to see some original Corvettes for yourself. Most regionals will have a few, but the best selection will be at a National. You could get 50 responses here to your question and still you are relying on other people's perception. You will be most satisfied if you make your own evaluation.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Hi Ned,
I stripped my 71's frame myself. I then had it powder coated. I scuffed the surface with 400 paper and sprayed it with semi-gloss enamel trying to vary the gloss as Terry mentioned. I think the amount of gloss not only varied from frame to frame but even on different areas of one frame.
I decided on the enamel because I felt it gave a more 'original' appearance and is very easy to touch-up.
It turned out too nicely restored looking but....
Regards,
Alan

[Tony S.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Put down a good primer and then paint it with a good quality semi-gloss black paint with a hardner. Then call her good. The primer will cover any subtle signs of galzanizing treatment. It can't be worse than the welding strike lines that the A. O. Smith guys made on the frames when they were just trying to find the correct welding areas. If you're at the point of having to decide about a naked frame, you got a long way to go. No point in spending weeks or months trying to decide what level of gloss on a frame. I've Top Flighted two C2's in the past three years and working on my third. I've never missed with this recommendation.

Good luck.
Tony

[Ned T.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Alan, the frame looks great. Im hoping to have mine come out that good. I like the idea of the gloss varies in different areas. Im sure they werent painted to have an even gloss.

[Ned T.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Anthony, Thanks for the Get it done and move on push. Im going to paint it with an acrylic enamel/hardener, semi gloss. Not sure if Im going to do this car for judging standards, Im going to try but it seems to be quite a challenge. I didnt want to go ahead and paint the frame and afterwards someone say it should have been different. Just checking before I do something I shouldnt have done. Thanks

[Ned T.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Here are some pictures of the Galvanized frame today. I have alot of detail work to do around all the edges but it will be worth it. The PPG Rep stopped at the house today to look at the frame. He is going to supply the Acid Etching Primer as well as all the other paints Im going to use.

[Michael L.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Ned,

Make sure the primer is black. No matter what the final finish is, if you drive it it will chip, and if the primer isn't black the chip will contrast with the paint and look very obvious. I learned this the hard way.

Mike

[Ned T.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Mike,

Thanks for the info. The first coat Im going to put on is the Acid Etch Primer. Ill ask the PPG Rep if it can be tinted. I dont see why not.

Ned

[Michael L.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

I don't know about the PPG acid etch, but I know Eastwood has a self etching primer available in black. I decided to go with Transtar 2k epoxy primer. My auto body rep told me that it would have excellent adhesion to the bare metal and also be durable. Then I went with the Quanta medium black which is supposed to be the standard paint for the 69 frame (according to them). The finished product looks pretty good, it's not satin but not nearly gloss. For the A-arms I'm going with Quanta semi-gloss.

Mike

[Grant W.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Alan, the frame looks great. Im hoping to have mine come out that good. I like the idea of the gloss varies in different areas. Im sure they werent painted to have an even gloss.

HI Ned
I just used the factory paint from GM Black Reconditioning paint. You can buy it but in 4 gallon case only. I only used about a couple of quarts. I can send you a bigger pic as in my avatar. Frame came out perfect.

Off topic. I love your garage!!!! How big is your garage? I like the style of storage desk you have. Where did you get them.
I only have a 24x24 garage, 2 cars being restored. Center isle is shelving. No room anywhere. My sand blaster outside....under snow!! Basement is full of filing cabinets and car parts every where. I think I need a 48x48 garage to put stuff properly away.
Anyways if my wife sees how neat your garage is she'll want to park her SUV in there to get out of the cold..LOL
Thanks, grant

[Ned T.]

Re: 1969 Frame Finishes

Sorry Grant...No SUVs allowed, they can be replaced !! I say they stay outside. The garage you see is 30'x50' and then I added a 13'x50' "clean room" on the back , and then a 17'x58' gameroom to that. Hey I have to have somewhere to play right? The cabinets you see came from some bank buildings Ive worked on. They remodel the places and were going to throw it all away. I just didnt have the heart to pitch it. Ive accumulated quite a bit over the years. Look for some commercial remopdeling jobs in your area and ask around. Im going to try a sample from the PPG Rep and see how it looks then decide what to use. Ill let you know how it goes.

Ned