{"id":508,"date":"2014-03-06T13:10:42","date_gmt":"2014-03-06T13:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.volvette.com\/blog\/?p=508"},"modified":"2014-03-11T17:11:35","modified_gmt":"2014-03-11T17:11:35","slug":"new-years-restoration-project-part-3-strip-and-metal-fabrication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.volvette.com\/blog\/new-years-restoration-project-part-3-strip-and-metal-fabrication.html","title":{"rendered":"New Years Restoration Project Part 3 – Strip and Metal Fabrication"},"content":{"rendered":"

In previous posts for this series, we’ve discussed finding and purchasing a Corvette<\/a> and documenting the “before” stage<\/a>. Now that you’ve got the bug, you finally bit the bullet and purchased a Corvette; you’ve brought the vehicle home or to your garage and are ready to start working on it.\u00a0 So let\u2019s jump right in and get busy!\u00a0 Let\u2019s assume you’ve already done your due diligence, creating a solid photo album of all your existing features on the car, exterior, interior, undercarriage, engine compartment, door panels and so on.<\/p>\n

To be sure, the level of work you are faced with in your restoration project will vary widely based on the condition of the Corvette, available parts and supplies and your own ability to manage and perform the restoration work yourself.\u00a0 In this continuing series of Restoration Steps, we are going to focus on a variety of issues and areas.\u00a0 Some of these may be right in your wheelhouse, others may be areas you have zero intention of doing yourself or without professional assistance, but we\u2019re going to work through these steps as if you stripped your vehicle down to the bare frame and started working back up from there.\u00a0 Albeit a truly rare step, but one that more than a fair share of restorers are interested in learning about.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, this blog post will focus on restoration work around your Corvette frame.\u00a0 Depending on the upkeep provided by the previous owner, the location where the vehicle was kept and the age of the Corvette, you may end up dealing with frame rot and that means you will be doing some stripping and metal fabrication repair work.<\/p>\n

\"Corvette<\/p>\n

Starting Out<\/h2>\n

The right tools for the right job.\u00a0 When working on a frame rot project, you will want to start with the right tools and supplies.\u00a0 Of course, you will need mask, goggles and gloves.\u00a0 Also, have a grinder, large clamps, wire brushes, a mig welder, and marker.<\/p>\n

After putting your Corvette on jack stands, or a lift, you\u2019ll want to inspect the undercarriage and frame.\u00a0 Right now, you\u2019re checking for rust on the frame itself, but also the bolts and nuts and the general condition of the frame.\u00a0 Removing suspension components will give you much freer access to the frame structure both under and over the frame itself.\u00a0 Most rust will likely appear more on the bottom of your frame and components than on the top, but you may not soon have a chance to review the state of the frame again, so take the time to go over it thoroughly.<\/p>\n

You’ve found some rot on your frame or undercarriage components now, so what\u2019s next?\u00a0 First, grind the area down to remove all rust and when doing so, make sure you grind well passed the rot area.\u00a0 You will be replacing that rotted area with new metal, so you want to make sure you grind the rust off on a clean (e.g. non-rotted) section as well.\u00a0 Once you’ve cleared the spot, use your marker to position spots where you want the new metal to go.\u00a0 From that, take an etching or template on paper for the area that you are going to be fabricating a new piece of metal.\u00a0 Take your paper template and place it on the sheet metal, tracing the outline of the template with your marker.<\/p>\n

After making your cut of the metal, use your clamps to put the new piece in place and prepare to fire up the mig welder.\u00a0 Please note: most welders recommend welding less than a 100% bead all the way around your new piece.\u00a0 This allows your frame a little more flexibility, which it\u2019s going to want since you are putting a new piece of metal in place of the rotted section.<\/p>\n

Lastly, now with the repair metal in place, you\u2019ll want to paint the undercoat to avoid the rust issue in the future.\u00a0 After that, take pictures again, remember the need to document your repairs and process are invaluable.<\/p>\n

We hope this article took some of the mystery out of stripping and metal fabrication.\u00a0 On the surface, many project restoration folks want to avoid this type of work, but in truth, it\u2019s a lot easier than you think.\u00a0 Next time, we\u2019ll focus on something more simple, mechanical work\u2026Yea, right!?!\u00a0\u00a0 Happy Motoring!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo by starmanseries on Flickr<\/a>, used under Creative Commons licensing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In previous posts for this series, we’ve discussed finding and purchasing a Corvette and documenting the “before” stage. Now that you’ve got the bug, you finally bit the bullet and purchased a Corvette; you’ve brought the vehicle home or to your garage and are ready to start working on it.\u00a0 So let\u2019s jump right in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[20,21],"class_list":["post-508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-corvette-information","tag-corvette-repair","tag-corvette-restoration","entry"],"yoast_head":"\nNew Years Restoration Project Part 3 - Strip and Metal Fabrication<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.volvette.com\/blog\/new-years-restoration-project-part-3-strip-and-metal-fabrication.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New Years Restoration Project Part 3 - Strip and Metal Fabrication\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In previous posts for this series, we’ve discussed finding and purchasing a Corvette and documenting the “before” stage. 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