AC Unit on Firewall - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ptjsk · 10-25-2019, 09:37 PM

Ok Guys, what are you using to restore the composite box that's mounted on the firewall?

Mine is in great shape, yet it's dull and doesn't look too good.

Thanks in advance,

Pat

Wrenchbender Ret · 10-25-2019, 10:00 PM

I've never done one but what about trunk paint?
George

**dmjlambert** · 10-25-2019, 10:16 PM

If you think yours is OK, you may be surprised if you take it off and look at the inside. It depends on whether you've taken it off and cleaned it up before. I am sending mine to Original Air in Florida for restoration. Forum member F.A.A.benny also restores them. I figure once every fifty years or so, give it a complete re-do.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 10-25-2019, 11:19 PM

I plan to ask F.A.A.benny to restore my entire A/C. Not sure on compressor yet, vintage air "OER" seems like a great way to go.

If I remember right, a lot of guys just scuff up the box some then hit it with a clear coat.

**FirstOwner69** · 10-25-2019, 11:42 PM

Clean it up and apply some Armor All or Son Of A Gun. Don't apply a large quantity. Let it sit 10 minutes or so and wipe it off. You'll be surprised.

Ptjsk · 10-26-2019, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

If you think yours is OK, you may be surprised if you take it off and look at the inside. It depends on whether you've taken it off and cleaned it up before. I am sending mine to Original Air in Florida for restoration. Forum member F.A.A.benny also restores them. I figure once every fifty years or so, give it a complete re-do.

Yes, I've already taken it apart. It's in great condition, just looks tired (weathered), a bit on the outside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I plan to ask F.A.A.benny to restore my entire A/C. Not sure on compressor yet, vintage air "OER" seems like a great way to go.

I'm going with the Original Air kit that replaces the compressor, the dryer, and the parallel flow condenser.

If I remember right, a lot of guys just scuff up the box some then hit it with a clear coat.

I was thinking about that (clear coat). I did order up the Original Air kit for those that have factory AC. I'll let you know how it works out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Clean it up and apply some Armor All or Son Of A Gun. Don't apply a large quantity. Let it sit 10 minutes or so and wipe it off. You'll be surprised.

thanks, I'll try that first.

Pat

**Grumpy old man** · 10-26-2019, 08:12 AM

This heater box is for my green 67 short bed 292 truck , I cleaned this one up a few years ago and it's been stored since then waiting it's turn . it's the original piece out of the truck . I used a purple scotch pad and lacquer thinner to bring it back and remove any staining , Some light sanding it in a few areas and cleaned again with the thinner and pad . Then applied a few light coats of MATTE CLEAR . to bring back that light sheen they had when new , The purple pad works to get into all the corners and it looks great when your done , No need to ever reapply anything to it . I just wiped it off this morning to remove some dust and it looks the same as it did a few years ago .

Ptjsk · 10-26-2019, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

This heater box is for my green 67 short bed 292 truck , I cleaned this one up a few years ago and it's been stored since then waiting it's turn . it's the original piece out of the truck . I used a purple scotch pad and lacquer thinner to bring it back and remove any staining , Some light sanding it in a few areas and cleaned again with the thinner and pad . Then applied a few light coats of MATTE CLEAR . to bring back that light sheen they had when new , The purple pad works to get into all the corners and it looks great when your done , No need to ever reapply anything to it . I just wiped it off this morning to remove some dust and it looks the same as it did a few years ago .

That looks great!

Thanks for the response.

Pat

**Grumpy old man** · 10-26-2019, 09:17 AM

The trick is using MATTE CLEAR and spending the time to get it as clean as possible , Don't use gloss or semi gloss clear .

**Jason Banks** · 10-26-2019, 09:41 AM

I used gloss clear and love the result.

https://www.amazon.com/U-S-Chemical-.../dp/B0043B7UQY

Wish i had a close up picture...

Ptjsk · 10-30-2019, 11:39 PM

Thanks for all the responses.

This is what mine came out like.

Pat

**Jason Banks** · 10-31-2019, 02:36 PM

Looks great. Is that matte clear?

Harold Holbrook · 10-31-2019, 04:22 PM

That is what I used matte clear and it looks good.

10-25-2019, 09:37 PM	#1
Ptjsk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Northern CA Posts: 588	AC Unit on Firewall Ok Guys, what are you using to restore the composite box that's mounted on the firewall? Mine is in great shape, yet it's dull and doesn't look too good. Thanks in advance, Pat

10-25-2019, 10:00 PM	#2
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,207	Re: AC Unit on Firewall I've never done one but what about trunk paint? George

10-25-2019, 10:16 PM	#3
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,650	Re: AC Unit on Firewall If you think yours is OK, you may be surprised if you take it off and look at the inside. It depends on whether you've taken it off and cleaned it up before. I am sending mine to Original Air in Florida for restoration. Forum member F.A.A.benny also restores them. I figure once every fifty years or so, give it a complete re-do. Last edited by dmjlambert; 10-25-2019 at 10:17 PM. Reason: spelling

10-25-2019, 11:19 PM	#4
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,205	Re: AC Unit on Firewall I plan to ask F.A.A.benny to restore my entire A/C. Not sure on compressor yet, vintage air "OER" seems like a great way to go. If I remember right, a lot of guys just scuff up the box some then hit it with a clear coat. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

10-25-2019, 11:42 PM	#5
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,843	Re: AC Unit on Firewall Clean it up and apply some Armor All or Son Of A Gun. Don't apply a large quantity. Let it sit 10 minutes or so and wipe it off. You'll be surprised. Attached Images

10-26-2019, 08:12 AM	#7
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: AC Unit on Firewall This heater box is for my green 67 short bed 292 truck , I cleaned this one up a few years ago and it's been stored since then waiting it's turn . it's the original piece out of the truck . I used a purple scotch pad and lacquer thinner to bring it back and remove any staining , Some light sanding it in a few areas and cleaned again with the thinner and pad . Then applied a few light coats of MATTE CLEAR . to bring back that light sheen they had when new , The purple pad works to get into all the corners and it looks great when your done , No need to ever reapply anything to it . I just wiped it off this morning to remove some dust and it looks the same as it did a few years ago . Attached Images __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

10-26-2019, 09:17 AM	#9
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: AC Unit on Firewall The trick is using MATTE CLEAR and spending the time to get it as clean as possible , Don't use gloss or semi gloss clear . __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

10-26-2019, 09:41 AM	#10
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,559	Re: AC Unit on Firewall I used gloss clear and love the result. https://www.amazon.com/U-S-Chemical-.../dp/B0043B7UQY Wish i had a close up picture...

10-30-2019, 11:39 PM	#11
Ptjsk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Northern CA Posts: 588	Re: AC Unit on Firewall Thanks for all the responses. This is what mine came out like. Pat Attached Images

10-31-2019, 02:36 PM	#12
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,559	Re: AC Unit on Firewall Looks great. Is that matte clear?

10-31-2019, 04:22 PM	#13
Harold Holbrook Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Garden City , NY Posts: 492	Re: AC Unit on Firewall That is what I used matte clear and it looks good.



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