C2 Steering box restoration services

[Gary B.]

Can anyone give me any feedback about the quality of steering box restoration work done by Corvette Steering Service? They say that they "shot blast box & wax coat" the box during restoration. Does anyone know how this surface treatment will be viewed by the judges? Also, they say that they do no add any broadcast or inspecting paint marks. Are there any steering box restoration services that will do the restoration and add reasonably correct inspection marks? I assume that with a wax coat on the box, adding the inspection marks will require my removing some of the wax, which means undoing part of what I'd be paying Corvette Steering Service to do, which I'd rather not have to do. Are there alternative steering box restorers with an appreciation for NCRS judging that can be trusted?

Thanks in advance,

Gary Beaupre

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 Steering box restoration services

Gary,

I had Corvette Steering do the box for my 66. It looks great. If you add any inspection marks, it will be on top of their coating. By inspecting it, I don't think you'd remove what they've done. In fact, since our box originally came black, they told us we could paint it without a problem. We haven't done that yet.

If I send in my 71, the original finish is so nice I'm going to see if they will rebuild it without touching the outside.

I know that Van Steel rebuilds the boxes, and likely Bair's too. Odds are either will likely cast blast it or apply a similar finish.

Patrick

[Gary B.]

Shot blast/wax follow-up

Patrick,

Was your box black originally? I haven't cleaned the grime off mine yet, but I'm guessing it will turn out to be natural. I know the 2nd edition of the TIM&JG says they can be natural or semi-gloss black. Does the shot blast/wax look anything like natural?

Gary

[Patrick H.]

Re: Shot blast/wax follow-up

Gary,

Yes, black originally. What they told my partner is that "most" of the cars were natural, so that's what they did. I think he talked it over with them. Ours, however, definitely started out black.

The present finish looks very natural. I'm quite pleased with it.

Patrick

[Gary B.]

Thanks Patrick *NM*