A
perfectly-repaired, beautiful frame is one of the most important aspects of any
classic Corvette restoration project. A great chassis will serve as a framework
for a fantastic body and paintjob, and it will keep you safe when you drive and
make other repairs. However, fixing your frame can be tough, and there are
plenty of ways to make things worse. Here are a few of the most important
things to consider when you're restoring the chassis on your vintage Corvette.
The Diagnosis
The first thing
you'll need to do is diagnose the existing problems with your frame. If your
car was ever in a collision, some areas may be bent or twisted - even beyond
repair. You'll probably also encounter rust, especially if your car is decades
old or was stored improperly by its previous owner. Whatever you do, make sure
take full stock of all your concerns before you begin your repairs.
Need for Removal
If your chassis
only suffers from minor rust, then you may not have to remove many components.
However, alignments and other highly-involved repairs will likely require that
you separate your frame from the rest of your car.
Removing a car's
frame is a project most people leave to professionals. If you're going to do it
yourself, then you must set up a safe, supportive suspension system in your
garage or shop. Some people use their ceiling beams, but a sturdy, standalone
model is by far the most reliable option. Once you've removed your interior
components, make all the proper disconnections, attach your chains, and lift.
Steel or
Fiberglass?
The repairs you
need may depend on the exact type of frame in your classic Corvette
restoration. If you've got tubular fiberglass, you may not need to worry about
rust - but you'll still have dents and bends to consider. If you have a steel
frame, you'll probably have to remove the body to work on holes, twists, and
large patches of rust. It might also be a good idea to chemically strip your
steel frame, which removes small pieces of grit and prepares it for welding and
cutting.
Rust Repair
Getting rid of
rust is critical for any project, especially when you're dealing with a
broken-down frame. If left untreated, a rusty chassis can cause your entire car
to breakdown, costing you thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of your
valuable time. The most common rust removal techniques include:
*Sand blasting:
This method is essentially sanding with air. A strong hose sucks in air and
uses it to "blast" grains of sand at affected areas..
*Bead basting:
Similar to sand blasting, this technique blasts tiny beads instead of sand.
Beads can also be reused, and may be more cost-effective over the course of
several projects.
*Chemical
treatments: There are a variety of chemicals which can dissolve rust while
leaving steel intact. However, it may be logistically impossible to remove
parts of your frame for soaking.
Professional Help
Ultimately, you
may need to consult a reputable auto shop if you need heavy-duty frame repairs.
Not everyone has the equipment necessary for body removals, and alignments
require extreme precision. If you need help with your current chassis - of if
you want one custom-built - call a professional classic car restorer now, or
contact a classic Corvette restoration shop to help you out.
by joel n
Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.
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