In Over My Head

[SquareOne]

So my dad and I have decided to do a frame-off restoration on my high school cruiser. Nothing too fance at this point. Just something I can tinker on with my old man and drive on nice days.

What we started with:


Getting started:



Weren't convinced with the original frame so we ended up picking up a donor:





A little powerwashing:



As the frame sits now (totally awesome jack-stands, I know :-):



Now I'm trying to figure out what to do next. Some more stripping and prep of course, but then what? POR? Primer?

[babyJay]

Sandblast and POR if you can. Is your neighbor building a fence so they don't have to see your truck?

[PRattenbury]

There are better options than POR. Brush-On Rust-Oleum is cheaper, easier to apply, and just as durable, if not more durable, than POR. Chassis-Saver is easier to apply, and more durable than POR. Not cheap, though. Powdercoating is the best option. That stuff is impossible to get off.

[SquareOne]

Originally Posted by PRattenbury

There are better options than POR. Brush-On Rust-Oleum is cheaper, easier to apply, and just as durable, if not more durable, than POR. Chassis-Saver is easier to apply, and more durable than POR. Not cheap, though. Powdercoating is the best option. That stuff is impossible to get off.

What Rust-Oleum product in particular. Is it chassis specific? I couldn't find it on their website.

I've considered powdercoating but that's more expensive than scuffing and painting with an enamel and the truck is going to be more of a cruiser than a show ride.

[PRattenbury]

Just regular old Rust-Oleum. Comes in quart cans. Just brush it on. I got my info on the subject from the guy that did the frame of my Chevelle (powdercoated).He was the guy that did the blasting, then he sent it to his partner in crime for the powdercoating. So this was the guy that had the job of removing various coatings. He said getting POR 15 to come off was pretty easy. He said Rust-Oleum was much tougher. He said for more money, Chassis Saver was a great product. Very tough to get off. He said that was what he would normally use on automotive frames. This was in Connecticut, where salt was used pretty liberally on the roads. Chassis Saver was available at the local friendly parts house up there. Powdercoating, he said, was the most difficult to get off. Sandblasting would barely touch it. He said he would have to heat the powdercoated parts up, and then blast it to get the stuff off in a reasonable amount of time. It does cost more. But then you can spend your time on other things. Time is money. Oh, another tip, for what it's worth. I use silver color when I do frames on driver quality cars. I wouldn't do that on a show car, but it makes it much easier to see things under your vehicle than if you use black. Try it. It works!

[inovermyhead]

Hey you stole my name
You can use the rust-oleum but another good option is VHT chassis paint or even better Tractor Supply sells a Valspar chassis paint that you can brush, roll or spray.

[benoit454]

wow nice progress, how many bolts hold that front crossmember on that the springs go in and lowers bolt to. Is it just the 3 that you can see or get to after the motor mount plates are removed and the 2 I think on each side under the upper control arm mounts?

[87 chevy silverado]

looking good... looks like theres a few trucks in the woods

[SquareOne]

Originally Posted by benoit454

wow nice progress, how many bolts hold that front crossmember on that the springs go in and lowers bolt to. Is it just the 3 that you can see or get to after the motor mount plates are removed and the 2 I think on each side under the upper control arm mounts?

I don't know if it was 6 or 8 on each side. I'll have to go back and look. It wasn't too difficult to get to and remove though after everything was taken apart.

[SquareOne]

Originally Posted by 87 chevy silverado

looking good... looks like theres a few trucks in the woods

Just a few parts sources. Going to use the stepside and drive train that we pulled from the Red truck, the cream cab, and a clip that's behind these parts.

[SquareOne]

Took a holiday vacation from work so my Dad and I could get ahead on the project. My christmas to me.

Stripped the frame using some clearance angle grinders from Lowe's fitted with wire brushes... I thought this would save money, but nickle and diming tallied, I would pay for sandblasting if I had to do it over again. Not to mention the pain in the lower back and legs...


I decided to go with the Summit Chassis shield and a good friend of mine let me borrow his high volume paint gun


My "paint booth" LOL!


My first hand at painting not out of a spray can


Some over-spray, running, and orange peel, but I'm happy with the end result. I'm definetly going professional with a professional for the paint and body work, those guys on TV make it look easier than it is!

[big_b]

lookin good

[Gordonr1973]

Good build thread so far!

[nbpro]

nice project keep up the good work and pics

[87 chevy silverado]

looks good

[78 Chevyrado]

Nice Work!