Removing Chassis Rust

[Keith M.]

What can I use to remove chassis rust and not the paint? What can I preserve the chassis with once I have it clean of old grease, oil, road grime and rust? While I am at it what are you guys using to get years and years of grease off the frame and suspension parts and not remove the paint and inspectiors marks?
Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

keith-----

Once again, I don't know of any way to do what you want to do. Keep in mind that most Corvette frames were not painted. I know for absolute certain that the one on my original owner 69 was not painted and I don't think that any previous C2 or C3 was painted. Sometime after 1969, the frames may have been painted; I've heard that but I've never confirmed it. Anyway, 1969 and earlier C2 and C3 frames were coated with an asphaltic coating. It does not polymerize like paint does; the solvent simply evaporates and the ashphaltic material is left behind and "sticks" due to its "sticky" nature. Any sort of solvent will wipe away the asphaltic coating and most of the inspection marks, too

You can use a heavy duty, water-based detergent cleaner like the Castrol product to remove grease, oil, and dirt. It will not remove the asphaltic coating but it may remove some or all of the inspection marks. It will take multiple cleanings with this stuff to get the frame and associated parts satisfactorily clean.

The heavy duty cleaner will not remove rust. On a frame, about the only way to remove rust is with some sort of abrasive-type cleaning. It will remove the rust but also remove the asphaltic coating and anything else in the area.

To remove just the rust, you could try a chemical rust remover like Jasco or Naval Jelly. It MIGHT remove just the rust and leave everything else intact. I've never used it for that but I have used it on some painted parts and it will generally remove the rust and leave the SURROUNDING paint. In any event, on the actual rusted areas, after chemical cleaning there will usually be little left behind except bare metal. The surrounding, non-rusted painted/coated areas may be intact, though.

[Joe L.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

keith-----

Once again, I don't know of any way to do what you want to do. Keep in mind that most Corvette frames were not painted. I know for absolute certain that the one on my original owner 69 was not painted and I don't think that any previous C2 or C3 was painted. Sometime after 1969, the frames may have been painted; I've heard that but I've never confirmed it. Anyway, 1969 and earlier C2 and C3 frames were coated with an asphaltic coating. It does not polymerize like paint does; the solvent simply evaporates and the ashphaltic material is left behind and "sticks" due to its "sticky" nature. Any sort of solvent will wipe away the asphaltic coating and most of the inspection marks, too

You can use a heavy duty, water-based detergent cleaner like the Castrol product to remove grease, oil, and dirt. It will not remove the asphaltic coating but it may remove some or all of the inspection marks. It will take multiple cleanings with this stuff to get the frame and associated parts satisfactorily clean.

The heavy duty cleaner will not remove rust. On a frame, about the only way to remove rust is with some sort of abrasive-type cleaning. It will remove the rust but also remove the asphaltic coating and anything else in the area.

To remove just the rust, you could try a chemical rust remover like Jasco or Naval Jelly. It MIGHT remove just the rust and leave everything else intact. I've never used it for that but I have used it on some painted parts and it will generally remove the rust and leave the SURROUNDING paint. In any event, on the actual rusted areas, after chemical cleaning there will usually be little left behind except bare metal. The surrounding, non-rusted painted/coated areas may be intact, though.

[Alan Drake]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Once you degrease and before using a mild rust remover (jelly) try a product called Ridrust - see the .com site for details. Many others at NCRS have used it and reports are very good. I use for smaller parts, but results look good for larger frame type parts and it will leave inspection marks.

[Alan Drake]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Once you degrease and before using a mild rust remover (jelly) try a product called Ridrust - see the .com site for details. Many others at NCRS have used it and reports are very good. I use for smaller parts, but results look good for larger frame type parts and it will leave inspection marks.

[Larry C.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Hey, Keith,

Some years ago, I decided to try locating the original frame stencil on my 1962 which I have owned since 1965. I took a cup of metal prep or similar surface rust remover (consistency of water) and brushed it over the surface of the frame where I suspected the stencil might be. When I started, nothing was visible except surface rust and dirt/grime. After slowly brushing with an old paint brush with fresh metal prep, the stencil began to show. You will need to keep the frame wet so that the rust/dirt will drip off. After some time, the original stencil was revealed, not perfect but you wouldn't expect that after so many years. Some of the original black frame paint was disclosed as well. The metal prep didn't seem to remove stencil or frame paint. I washed the frame down with water and dried it, and then put a light coat of clear spray paint over it. It still shows up good today.

If you're looking to do an entire frame, this method might not be very practical.

[Larry C.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Hey, Keith,

Some years ago, I decided to try locating the original frame stencil on my 1962 which I have owned since 1965. I took a cup of metal prep or similar surface rust remover (consistency of water) and brushed it over the surface of the frame where I suspected the stencil might be. When I started, nothing was visible except surface rust and dirt/grime. After slowly brushing with an old paint brush with fresh metal prep, the stencil began to show. You will need to keep the frame wet so that the rust/dirt will drip off. After some time, the original stencil was revealed, not perfect but you wouldn't expect that after so many years. Some of the original black frame paint was disclosed as well. The metal prep didn't seem to remove stencil or frame paint. I washed the frame down with water and dried it, and then put a light coat of clear spray paint over it. It still shows up good today.

If you're looking to do an entire frame, this method might not be very practical.

[Keith M.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Alan, Thanks for your reply and I will give it a try.

[Keith M.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Alan, Thanks for your reply and I will give it a try.

[Keith M.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Larry, Can you share with me the brand name and concentration of metal prep you used. The clear over coat was it a glossy or matte finish?
Thanks,
Keith

[Keith M.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Larry, Can you share with me the brand name and concentration of metal prep you used. The clear over coat was it a glossy or matte finish?
Thanks,
Keith

[Christopher R.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

I'm doing this now. Don't know how to save the inspection marks. But Simple Green will clean the grease, oil, and road grime. Mineral spirits/turpentine will clean the asphaltic covering. You'll need to do some scraping too. Finish up by wiping thoroughly with lacquer thinner. Eastwood makes a product especially for this. Converts the rust and paints the frame in semi-gloss. If you do all this, your inspection marks will be long gone. You'll need to recreate them.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

I'm doing this now. Don't know how to save the inspection marks. But Simple Green will clean the grease, oil, and road grime. Mineral spirits/turpentine will clean the asphaltic covering. You'll need to do some scraping too. Finish up by wiping thoroughly with lacquer thinner. Eastwood makes a product especially for this. Converts the rust and paints the frame in semi-gloss. If you do all this, your inspection marks will be long gone. You'll need to recreate them.

[Keith M.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Chris,

Thanks for your response.

Keith

[Keith M.]

Re: Removing Chassis Rust

Chris,

Thanks for your response.

Keith