70 Nova
 

can't remember if I ever started one of these or not, but here is my 70 nova.
I got it cheap, and I don't mind the rust repairs. other than a couple small spots of rust on the florrs, and the obvious 1/4 work, it's pretty solid. I'm looking at the Hotchkis TVS system, with z06 brakes and camaro steering box. I'm going to be running a small block until next winter when a 408 gets dropped in(hopefully :rolleyes: ) Anyway, I've started striping the subframe (please excuse the mess in the pics) and have a question: should I:
A. Have the subframe sandblasted -or-
B. Have the sub-frame dipped??

I'm going to be undercoating th ecar with Raptor liner, but am concerned that blasting won't get into all the nooks and crannies. Any info will be appreciated as this is my first real attempt to build a pro-touring car.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...1/HPIM1945.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...HPIM1827-1.jpg

Good luck! I have subscribed to this build. I am building a 70 right now too and it hasn't been easy but it sure has been fun. Definately keep the pictures coming.

If you already have an air compressor, spend your money on a bucket type sandblaster and do it yourself. When I priced out it out to have my original subframe done, they wanted more than what a blaster cost. I bought the blaster, did it myself and still have it to do other stuff with. I didn't find any issues with getting into all the nooks and crannies. The only thing...it's messy. You'll want to get a good mask so you can actually see what you're doing.

This build is going to wear you out.Good luck how about some more pics.

I would sand blast the sub frame and soda blast the body. Soda blasting is nice because even though it does make a mess, it washes away with water.
Just blow out the nooks and crannys after you blast the frame and you will be fine.
Have fun with your project!

good luck with the build. i just bought a 68 nova. will post pics soon as well. drew.

Indy,

We recently dipped a 73 vette frame. I didn't like the surface condition on the exterior of the frame when we got it back - so we had it blasted too. All the crude and rust is gone from the inside - and the outside is spotless and perfect for paint. Depends on how you want it to turn out.

If you're only doing one, I would blast it.

I also blasted one myself with the syphon type unit (craftsman) and it worked fine - just make sure you have a compressor that can handle that cfm load - or it will take a long time. Degrease it and power wash it - then hit it with a wire brush to get the big junk off there - and blast it. I also used a face shield and a mask - it will pound your face and head pretty good.

Good luck !

Jim

Blasting
 

I agree with garage dog 65....YOU MUST DEGREASE THE FRAME FIRST.Im set up to do alot of blasting at my house, Big compresser /pressurepot blaster but it doesnt mean nothing if you dont degrease the frame first. sandblasting is the way to go but it will not remove grease and becomes more of a mess..borrow a pressure washer and clean it very well, may even get some engine degreaser in a can (its cheap) and soak it the night or two before then....pressure wash away...or go to a self spray wash car wash( i ve done this) and they have great pressure AND YOU DONT HAVE A Grease MESS TO CLEAN UP AT YOUR HOUSE :_paranoid . throw in some coins and clean it..
I usually buy my sand from Home Depot.Its called (natural play sand)clear bag... reason is.. it doesnt have to be strained and its consistant.WORKS GREAT) .Get yourself a painters zip-up suite (15-20 dollars) usually from the autopaint supply store..I like blasting in these BECAUSE it covers you from head to ankle and its light weight ,easy to move around in.Ear plugs.. even having a hood sand gets in every orfice it can.. Im maybe tell in you what you already know ..if you have any questions pm me ...Ive done alot of blasting.

TOM

:hail: 70 nova

My .000000002 worth.....

Dipping will get ALL the rust - inside and out... that would be very hard to say/do with blasting it...

I wouldn't recommend dipping a car body... only because of horror stories about paint going away "later" when some acid was left in a seam etc... but then again - I think I still have soda in my dash from when the body on my Nomad was done! LOL

Blasting it clean will strip all the rust and make the surface ready for some paint --- and if I was doing it that's what I'd do... then I'd get a spray nozzle that will reach into the frame and I'd shoot that full of POR 15 to seal it up.

SIMPLE GREEN works real well (get it in gallon size at COSTCO) for degreasing and is "bio degradable" (yeah right...) and I'd be using plenty of it - real strong - on the inside of the frame rails etc to get it so paint will stick.