1969 Seat Frame Finishing

[Keith M.]

So I soaked my seat frames in Evaporust and am very pleased with the result so far. I do need to remove the adhesive at the top rear seatback that was used for that padding which I plan to remove with acetone. please see attached pics. I have the full Al Knoch vinyl kit and foam. I am seeking input on how to finish/paint the frames/springs recognizing that they will not be visible. Was thinking of spray some self etching primer followed by something like chassis black? Is that a good way to go? Was also thinking I should tape off some of the non-painted parts of the release mechanism?

Something I discovered that I thought was peculiar is shown in the close up picture. Both brackets that hold the seat back are notched out about 1/8th of an inch. Interesting this was also done on the driver seat back. Why would this be? Makes no sense as the seatback bracket that attaches to it is wide and not restricted in width. Anyone else ever observe this notching??

Lastly, included a photo of tracks after evaporust bath. Gonna call it good enough for now...will try to work a small amount of something like lithium grease only in the areas where the roller balls are located.

Thanks for any and all guidance. Starting to get heavy into this restore and whilst it will be a long long and expensive road I am enjoying it. Amazing how much this car has been brutalized and stripped in its early life.

[Keith M.]

Re: 1969 Seat Frame Finishing

Sooo...no thoughts on finishing seat frames? Guess it will be self etching primer and chassis black then.

Anyone seen the seatback bracket notching? It clearly was deliberate and factory done as far as I know. Why? No idea.

Track lube?...small amount of lithium grease sprayed into roller track area...yes, no, maybe? Thinking zinc phosphate spray finish for the tracks.

Thanks!

[Richard R.]

Re: 1969 Seat Frame Finishing

Keith,

I bead basted the frames (all hardware removed) which also removed the adhesive, then finished with black epoxy primer and reinstalled cleaned up hardware. The primer has the right gloss finish and is like an iron coating. as for the the tracks, consider spraying clear over the metal brackets since they tend to get surface rust after soaking in evaporust. I used lithium grease sparingly on the rollers.

Best,

Rich
69 L46 converible

[Keith M.]

Re: 1969 Seat Frame Finishing

Keith,

I bead basted the frames (all hardware removed) which also removed the adhesive, then finished with black epoxy primer and reinstalled cleaned up hardware. The primer has the right gloss finish and is like an iron coating. as for the the tracks, consider spraying clear over the metal brackets since they tend to get surface rust after soaking in evaporust. I used lithium grease sparingly on the rollers.

Best,

Rich
69 L46 converible

Thanks. Paint is not one of my strong suits. And being as seat frames won't be seen ...it doesn't matter all that much. I don't know the difference/benefits/downsides of say a spray epoxy primer vs. a self etching primer followed by like a spray chassis black....other than the epoxy primer is one step and done. Will probably go that route but feel free to educate me further if you so choose.
Keith

[Keith M.]

Re: 1969 Seat Frame Finishing

Talked to a guy at Eastwood and thought I would share what he said which was...Self etching is the "old" way though it is still done and epoxy primer is a newer way. Cannot put any epoxy paint over a self etching primer. Epoxy primer allegedly does a better job smoothing out uneven surfaces. So my current plan is epoxy primer with a chassis black semi over it just because.