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houstoncajun
Guest
Does anybody have some input on how to fix a major rust problem on a 1980 frame without tearing the car apart? It still runs and drives but the frame looks very scary... thanks
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Ryan
Guest
Hi,
I have just finished assembling my frame as I am doing a frame off resto. My frame looked very scary when I bought my vette.
I didn't know if I was doing the right thing when I bought it. When I lifted the body there was a lot of surface rust and holes on two parts of the frame that later on I took good care of.
I put a good epoxy primer and a scrath free top coat on the frame that is against salt and sweet water.
To be honest, I think the best way to protect your frame is to do the frame off resto, ass you can coat the complete frame.
But maybe you dont have the time for that. So see if you can get the car on a hydraulic car lift(the ones the service shops have) and take a good look on the rust maybe its all surface rust as most vettes of that year.
Look for holes created by rust. Get all the rust off and also clean all traces of oil and grease.
Then try to coat with Por-15, don't forget to coat the inside of the frame. That may require a special tool.
Good luck,
Ryan
I have just finished assembling my frame as I am doing a frame off resto. My frame looked very scary when I bought my vette.
I didn't know if I was doing the right thing when I bought it. When I lifted the body there was a lot of surface rust and holes on two parts of the frame that later on I took good care of.
I put a good epoxy primer and a scrath free top coat on the frame that is against salt and sweet water.
To be honest, I think the best way to protect your frame is to do the frame off resto, ass you can coat the complete frame.
But maybe you dont have the time for that. So see if you can get the car on a hydraulic car lift(the ones the service shops have) and take a good look on the rust maybe its all surface rust as most vettes of that year.
Look for holes created by rust. Get all the rust off and also clean all traces of oil and grease.
Then try to coat with Por-15, don't forget to coat the inside of the frame. That may require a special tool.
Good luck,
Ryan
Hi,
Some pic's would help. It depends on where the rust is as to if it can be fixed with the body on. They have welding blankets and sprays that can be used to help with the heat but that also drives up the cost. Pic's would help us to help you.
Some pic's would help. It depends on where the rust is as to if it can be fixed with the body on. They have welding blankets and sprays that can be used to help with the heat but that also drives up the cost. Pic's would help us to help you.
Chris Kennedy
Well-known member
I notice you live in Houston. So do I. I would contact Ted Tank, at Corvette Center (713/864-8134), and tell him Chris Kennedy sent you. They do lots of frame welding and repair work, and are honest to boot----tell them Chris Kennedy sent you.
--Chris Kennedy
--Chris Kennedy
red70vette
Well-known member
You need to quickly access the damage before you do any driving of the car or invest any time or money in it. Vettes do rust and these cars have been known to break in half if frame rust gets bad enough.
It is not a good thing if you hit a pothole and lose the back half of the car. Frames can be rather expensive to repair or replace.
Take a screw driver and poke around on the frame. The most likely areas are on the kick ups if front of the rear wheels, or in back if the front wheels.
Pull the kick panel covers and look for rust where the window frame meets the frame. This can be a death blow for a vette birdcage rust thru is real expensive. It is best to evaluate the problem thoughly to avoid unnecessary expense.
An experienced vette mechanic will be able to do this inspection with ease. You might want to try the guy Chris Kennedy suggested. But do not ignore this potential problem. If it looks scary it probably is scary.
It is not a good thing if you hit a pothole and lose the back half of the car. Frames can be rather expensive to repair or replace.
Take a screw driver and poke around on the frame. The most likely areas are on the kick ups if front of the rear wheels, or in back if the front wheels.
Pull the kick panel covers and look for rust where the window frame meets the frame. This can be a death blow for a vette birdcage rust thru is real expensive. It is best to evaluate the problem thoughly to avoid unnecessary expense.
An experienced vette mechanic will be able to do this inspection with ease. You might want to try the guy Chris Kennedy suggested. But do not ignore this potential problem. If it looks scary it probably is scary.
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