Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

[Kirk M.]

As some may know, I have been redoing the carpet in my car the past week. I ran out of glue, so I decided to move on to project 2 this past weekend - painting the stencil on my frame. I lost all my frame points last summer because no stencil was visible. My car is a driver and always has been. The frame is solid but had surface rust and some flaking especially along the top of the side rails. Here's what I did:

1. Painted the side rails with POR last fall. Did this very carefully and make sure to wear two layers of gloves - that stuff doesn't come off skin for weeks. POR should definitely stop the rusting on my frame, but it is way to bright for a proper frame paint. So:

2. Two coats of Quanta Chassis Black later and the frame looked great and much more original. Now I had the base I need to start putting all the correct marks back on the frame rails.

3. First set of marks Frame Stencil for my 67 AO Smith Body car. After reading many posts and asking lots of questions, it seems that AO Smith frame stencils were rolled on rather than sprayed. So, mounted the stencil on the rail and used one of those mini-rollers from any paint department. I sprayed the roller with the Quanta white stencil paint to coat it, rolled it several times on a piece of cardboard to evenly soak the roller, and then sprayed one last time. I rolled over the stencil very gently multiple times until all the numbers/letters had paint and then carefully removed the stencil.

I really like how it came out because it isn't solid white with a heavy spray can coating but rather spotty with some black of the frame showing through making it appear more authentic and aged right off the bat. Fits my driver well.

Let me know what you think. Next up - guessing my shim numbers and making the marks and then dating the frame upside down. Man this is fun!


Kirk

[Kirk M.]

Re: Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

Any comments?

[Henry S.]

Re: Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

Kirk, Not an expert, but it looks good. I need to do that too.
Shooter

[Mike M.]

Re: Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

Hi Kirk,
All frames were manufactured with a single process, all the same.
No distinction or relativity to the body vendor.
HaND

[Kirk M.]

Re: Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

According to other "experts" there was a difference in how stencils were applied. At least that is what I was told and that to be correct I needed to roll the stencil on my AO Smith car. I though A) Smith only made bodies and not frames so I too am confused. I have no expertise myself in this area and am relying on what I have been told. Anyone know if it's true or why?

Kirk

[Kirk M.]

Re: Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

Found the reference from John Hinckley:

Just to clarify, we're dealing with two different A.O. Smith subjects. All midyear Corvette frames were made by the Frame division of A.O. Smith, at their plant in Granite City, Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis; they were stenciled with a roller. The same Granite City plant built all the passenger car and truck frames used at the "big" St. Louis plant adjacent to the Corvette plant.

Half of the mid-'64-up Corvette bodies were built by the Dow-Smith division of A.O. Smith (formerly the Mitchell-Bentley coporation), at their plant in Ionia, Michigan, and shipped by rail to St. Louis for Trim and Final assembly. All bodies, regardless of source, ended up on frames manufactured by A.O. Smith.

So, I am mixing up two stories. It has nothing to do with my AO Smith body and everything to do with the AO Smith frame. Sorry.

Kirk

[Mike M.]

Re: Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

Right, Kirk, now you have it.
HaND

[Kirk M.]

Re: Did My 67 Frame Stencil - AO Smith Body

Takes a while to sink into the old noggin but eventually I get there


Kirk