67' Ready for Body lift off

[Dave K.]

Looking for suggestions on the proper order of doing things. Before i lift the body off the frame should I have the body soda plasted first...that way i have a rolling chassis and it is easy to trailer and move around. My plan is to get the body soda blasted/sand blasted then have it sit on the dollie while i have the frame out for sandblasting and powder coating. Then i will put the frame back together and then put body back on and have it painted. I'm trying to minimize the movement of the body on/off the frame. I'm not sure transporting the body to a paint shop on a dollie is a good idea...not that stable and fear of something happening. What have others done? Also if anyone is familiar with the Minneapolis/Twin cities area...I'm looking for a painter and chrome polisher locally.

Dave

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67' Ready for Body lift off

I restored my 67 coupe. I placed the body on a dolly while doing the frame, running gear, suspension etc. I transported the body on the dolly about 100 miles for painting. I do have an enclosed trailer. If the dolly is constructed solidly, you won't have any problem with transporting. I would NOT place the body on the frame before painting and finishing the body. You risk getting your fresh restoration of the frame/running gear full of sanding dust and overspray and buffing compound, when you do the body. I had the engine on the frame when reinstalling the body. The body went right on without a problem. I tilted the body at about 10 deg (rear down) to attach the rear body mounts with long bolts to the frame first. This allowed the body to self guide as I lowered it onto the frame. It cleared the engine nicely. The photos show the chassis with engine etc. and fuel tank installed just like at the factory.

[Paul J.]

Re: 67' Ready for Body lift off

Dave, Your method will work fine, but there is no set procedure, just think it through.

A couple of things from your post. Do not sandblast the body, remember, it's fiberglass. Soda blasting is OK if the blaster knows what he is doing and the pianter takes the time to clean it thoughly. Chemical stripping, sanding, or scraping are some other methods. With respect to your reference to "chrome polisher", I think that you need a plater, right?

If you are interested in having the car judged, don't powder coat the frame.

There is a lot of information in the archives on soda blasing and chrome platers (as well as trim polishing).

Paul