Body or Frame First?

[Mark E.]

Richard Lentinello's column in November's issue of "Hemmings" asks: When doing a body-off restoration, should the body or chassis be first?

For body-on frame cars, Lentinello suggests completing body and paint work before it's removed from the chassis because:

- The unrestored chassis acts as a perfectly fitted roll-around jig for the body. This helps ensure good fitment when replacing panels.

- No worries about overspray on the chassis while refinishing the body.

- After the refinished body is removed from the chassis, you have the flexibility of switching between restoring the chassis and installing body trim.

I've never performed a body-off restoration, so I thought I'd post and ask the experts about this. What do you think?

[Thomas H.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

Richard Lentinello's column in November's issue of "Hemmings" asks: When doing a body-off restoration, should the body or chassis be first?

For body on frame cars, Lentinello suggests completing body and paint work before it's removed from the chassis because:

- The unrestored chassis acts as a perfectly fitted roll-around jig for the body. This helps ensure good fitment when replacing panels.

- No worries about overspray on the chassis while refinishing the body.

- After the refinished body is removed from the chassis, you have the flexibility of switching between restoring the chassis and installing body trim.

I've never performed a body-off restoration, so I thought I'd post and ask the experts about this. What do you think?

Funny, I just read this article as I ate breakfast this morning. He makes some good points.

I can vouch for having the frame completely done and then painting the body on the frame Getting the car back with body shop dust / paint all over the frame and having to spend days cleaning it off.......... Hindsight, I'd have the body painted off of the frame, but the circumstances during my build did not allow that. Next time..........

Tom

[Jim D.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

I do all the body work, primer and block sanding while the body is still on the frame. I'll then remove the body and let it sit for a few months while I do the frame and running gear. After the body work and primer has "seasoned", I'll then seal/paint/buff it before I put it back on the frame.

[Mark E.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

I do all the body work, primer and block sanding while the body is still on the frame. I'll then remove the body and let it sit for a few months while I do the frame and running gear. After the body work and primer has "seasoned", I'll then seal/paint/buff it before I put it back on the frame.

This makes a lot of sense. I also aged my bodywork and primer-surfacer several months before painting (this was a body-on restoration). After 10 years, there's virtually no shrinkage and great gloss hold out.

[John M.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

It makes perfect sense to paint the body on the chassis first. However, if you are like me, I work in a small garage and it often takes me 1+ years to complete a restoration due to time (kids & work), money (wife is always on me about spending), and energy. I always budget my mechanicals, body, and interior in that order. I envy the guys with big garages and corvette friendly wives!!

[Richard M.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

I do both at the same time....breaks up the monotony.

[Gene M.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

GM did the body and chassis total separate from each other. In fact the body and chassis were not determined till well under way. Understand the body (more so with a convertible) has to be fixtured to hold shape. GM assumed the body (datum set) was to determine the shims needed to correct the frame vertical mount positions.

A mid year coupe is less sensitive to the body fixture positioning. Don't forget at some time or point in the restoration one would like to restore the under body. it is difficult to do on the frame and with finish paint on the body.

[Tom K.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

I am in the process of a frame off restoration of my 67 conv. I would think that it would be best to use new body mounts before any body work or aligning the doors. Doing all of that before removing the body could end up wrong since the old mounts are compressed with age and there could be problems with the frame and or the frame mounts. Just the opinion of a first time rookie.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

I am in the process of a frame off restoration of my 67 conv. I would think that it would be best to use new body mounts before any body work or aligning the doors. Doing all of that before removing the body could end up wrong since the old mounts are compressed with age and there could be problems with the frame and or the frame mounts. Just the opinion of a first time rookie.

Tom,

All things being equal it should not make any difference but we all know that's not always the case. IMO, it's important to remember the purpose of shims is to fit the body to the frame so it sits the same way it did on the body truck where the fit and body work was done. The difference being the welded on frame mounts and or the frame twist etc.

What is also important is to make a determination if door mis-alignment is because of shim count or someone else being there before. On my 67 convertible the doors fit nice sitting on old body mounts so if they all were replaced it should fit mostly the same, (mostly)...:-)

[Mark E.]

Re: Body or Frame First?

I am in the process of a frame off restoration of my 67 conv. I would think that it would be best to use new body mounts before any body work or aligning the doors. Doing all of that before removing the body could end up wrong since the old mounts are compressed with age and there could be problems with the frame and or the frame mounts. Just the opinion of a first time rookie.

Corvettes used solid mounts through '72, so I wouldn't think compression with age is an issue. But you bring up a good point for newer Corvettes.