C2 frame paint, drip direction

[Gary B.]

I have a rather obscure question. Has anyone observed the direction of paint drips on C2 frames? John Hinckley tells me that C1 and C3 frames were hung to dry vertically with the nose up, so drips on C1 and C3 frames should run parallel to the frame rails or front to back when the frame is horizontal. John isn't certain how C2 frames were dipped, but I've heard from one other person who believes that C2 frames with dipped and hung horizontally, but unside down, so any drips would run perpendicular to the frame rail direction, and therefore upward when the frame is installed right side up. Can anyone confirm this observation based on direct observation of original C2 frames?

Thanks,

Gary Beaupre

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 frame paint, drip direction

Gary -- Is this mentioned in John Burrogh's (sp?) "State of the Art"? The only other guy I know of that studied this was Eric Gill ('63 Z06 articles).

[Gary B.]

Wayne; I don't know, but I'll check tonight *NM*

[Lawrence C.]

Re: C2 frame paint, drip direction

Yes, I believe C2 frames were dipped, then dried horizontally but upside-down. When I restored my 66, the drips/runs definitely went in that direction (they went "up" when the car was still on the frame (frame right side up).

[Terry M.]

Re: C2 frame paint, drip direction *TL*

Gary,
From what I have heard "dipped" might create a less than accurate impression. My understanding is that the frames were coated with a material that was delivered straight from a hose, applied while the frame was horizontal (the excess material ran off into floor drains and was recycled into the supply vat). It was then hung nose-up to dry.
I wish I could recall where, but I once saw a photo of the frame hanging nose up.

[Len Rayca]

Re: C2 frame paint, drip direction

Terry: You are talking about how the fiberglass was applied to the body mold. You saw the picture in Noland Adams book . The question as I understand it was about the application and drying of the paint Len 39247

[Gary B.]

Terry: C2 vs C1/C3

Terry,

John Hinkley confirms your description of "spraying/dipping in a large paint pit, but he only knows this for a fact for C1 and C3 frames, not C2 frames. Have you seen the technique applied to a C2 frame, particularly the part about hanging nose-up to dry?

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Terry: C2 vs C1/C3 *TL*

The information I received in a "tech session" here in Illinois was about a 1965. The photograph was separate from that tech session. I do not recall the photograph in sufficient detail to put a date on it. It was in a publication, however - not something I have seen privately. I'll do some looking and see if I can locate it.
Len - I know the photo you are thinking of - spraying the fiberglass into a one-piece mold. That is not what I had in mind.

[Gary B.]

[John H.]

Re: Terry: C2 vs C1/C3

C1 frames were made at A.O. Smith-Milwaukee, and were dipped and then hung nose-up to drain and bake (less oven length). C2 frames were made at A.O. Smith-Granite City, Illinois; I was there twice in '67 to review stamping and welding operations, but didn't see the paint process. The C3 frame went back to Milwaukee following the Granite City strike, but I don't know what paint process Milwaukee used on C3's.