I am doing my first frame off as well, I also did the powder coating as I boxed the frame and wanted to make sure everything was covered, looking inside areas I can see into, this seems to be the case. My only regret - wish I would have done some surface smoothing/grinding on the front frame rails by the engine mounts as there was welding splatter from the factory and now it looks like mountains with the powdercoating application. I will probably set the motor in, see how visible they are and if visible I will grind them and just paint that area with 2 part black epoxy. My body guy assured me we could find a piant to match the sheen and paint would stick fine over the powder coating....
Matt it looks just fine, once car is complete hardly anyone will see frame itself it but it will stay black and will stay portected for a long time..that stuff is tough! If you treat each piece to the same detail, once assembled the overall effect is stunning. Nobody can knock anyone for doing their own work, even if it turns out less than perfect. I give much more credit to the guys who do it themselves than the checkbook car guys. later Tim
Tim; Two things... One, I wish I had the money to pay someone to do most of the work (not really, I get more pleasure out of doing it myself). Second, you really didn't recoat the seat belt bolts...did you? I am going to wipe mine off and reinstall them...don't look under my car...ever. Len :laugh:
Yup, sure did. See pic, some visible in lower RH corner. Might as well, I've come this far and they are visible fomr the bottom of the car. Plus its cheap to do anyway... Once this thing is done plan is to put it in some indoor shows with the mirrors and lights under it and show it off for a month or four (why not, its beautiful under there and will give everyone something other than a chevy to look at!)...then its gonna be premium gas and drive the hell out of it!! :3gears: later Tim PS I hate paying people for anything...can never get it to my standard and they always seems to have issues anyway. I'd do it all myself if I had the equipment.
So true. I plan on attending some shows also; I'll make sure I don't attend any your at. :laugh: Seriously, who did you use to "plate" your parts. They look great. Len :3gears:
Local place, I took everything apart and prepped them myself. They do a lot of inustrial work but also happen to be car guys..so works out well. You should have seen that booster before it was plated, I put about 6-8 hours into it removing rust pitting and damage, it was terrible!! Pics on website. Internally was like new. Also, be aware that "gold cad" has become to plating what "bondo" has become to body filler, everyone calls it that but there are several different types of gold colored plating. Gold cad is apparently not used on GM cars after about 66 or so (so I have been told) except on the vettes, so zinc dichromate is your new best friend! (Zinc Dichromate looks better (shinier)than real gold cad anyway). Gold cad has been banned in several states as it is quite toxic, apparently. Thats all I know. Later Tim
Great Job Matt Just looked at your pictures of the frame and it looks great. I am in the process of restoring my Suncoupe and this weekend I hope to sandblast the frame and get it to powder coat. I also want to do everything that I can much more rewarding. Rick DR. BUICK
Thanks Rick, it has been very rewarding. I will post some progress pictures. That is as soon as i make some progress. Matt
myself also getting ready for frame ..... ..called a few guys about powder coating....prices ranging from $350-700 for powder caoting....no sanblasting included....and no pick-up/delivery ...one guy was very informative.....he tells me that powder coating is not gauranteed 2 reach 100% into the internal of frames ..cant gaurantee it ... the best way he says is 2 have it E-coated...dipped.... my concern is mostly the "what u cant see parts" ANY INPUT...??????
Powder coat Hi Tom, I had the whole front end ,frame and suspension,of My 64 Chevy II blasted and powder coated for 350.00 here in Suffolk,Va at a place called Vanwinn coatings. They have 2 big comercial sites here. First they bake everything off the frame. Then abrasive blast it inside of a chamber big enough for two big cars. Then coat it with zinc . Then they powder coat and bake.. So it is a multi part process. But I believe you will be happy with the outcome. And any color is available. The powder is not that expensive. Mat and gloss black is the cheapest because they do a lot of work with those two colors. I have watched them do the complete process. I blasted some car parts before and it is a mess. Letting a comercial outfit do it...no mess to clean up and your neighbors wont complain. Just my 2 cents worth. Tom Davis
Hey Tom, That place in Suffolk sounds pretty good. I think you have more options for services like blasting when you get around the Tidewater region. Me being stuck in "suburbia" made it hard to find a good machine shop, much less a powder coat operation. As for myself, I've backed away from pulling the body off the frame this time around. I chose to replace the entire brake system lines and all. The engine is just about back together. That and a rebuilt tranny ready to drop back in makes the car mechanically sound. I want to drive it that way for a year and then get ready for another run at it. I guess I just miss driving the car.
Oh yeah those pics. I thought you meant the avatar. Yes I owm MSI we install mostly CCTV and Card access. Pelco is good stuff. MAtt
