<VV> Convertible frame restoration

bob mccrum bmccrum@comcast.net
Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:50:15 -0600


re: sandblasting.  a much gentler way of refinishing is to have the part
soda blasted (yes, they use a type of baking soda). some of  the advantages
are the media is less likely to work harden the blasted surface; and the
residue removed can be separated out with water, the advantage to you is the
leftover residue can be easily removed with a good washing.  even gentler,
but more expensive is wheat starch, we use it on aircraft as it doesn't
work harden thin aluminium. the soda blasting should be available in most
areas, check it out.  bob mc
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Norman C. Witte" <ncwitte@wittelaw.com>
To: "Virtual Vairs (E-mail)" <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 7:31 AM
Subject: <VV> Convertible frame restoration


> Good morning.  I have a question regarding my manual top frame for my '65
> convertible.  This weekend I started disassembling it.  It shows a fair
> amount of rust, and so I thought I would take it apart, have all the parts
> powdercoated, and then put the whole thing back together all spanky clean
> and shiny like.  As I got into it I realized that my original plan was not
> workable.  A number of the joints have pins that are swedged over and
> therefore can't be separated.  Most of the joints that I disassembled have
> plastic bushings that would not survive the powdercoating process.
>
> I suppose that I could sandblast and paint the parts that I cannot
> disassemble completely for powdercoating, but that presents a bit of a
> problem, too.  My concern is that abrasive will make its way into those
> joints, and I will end up with a nice-looking piece of non-working junk.
>
> So my first question is whether anyone has done this before, and if so,
what
> suggestions they may have about derusting and painting this beast.
>
> The next question regards disassembly of the header part that runs at the
> front of the top.  There are two big phillips screws at the corners of
this
> thing that go into cage nuts.  What are these for?  Are the parts that
bolt
> into the handles and side rails supposed to come out?  Mine is rusted
enough
> that I cannot tell if it is spotwelded or just rusted in place.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Norm Witte
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