Saving a 65 GS 3 speed

[red65gs]

I've been drawn away from the project for a while but made some progress this weekend. I bought an SCT contour tool from Eastwood and enlisted my son to remove the rust from the frame. Not quite yet finished but plan to use rust encapsulator product when ready. I also will be coating the inside of the frame with the internal rust encapsulator. I'll let everyone know how it turns out. Still have lots of dismantling to do before separating the body from the old frame.

[elagache]

Dear Don and mid-60s Buick restorers,

Thanks for the update!   

I've been drawn away from the project for a while but made some progress this weekend. I bought an SCT contour tool from Eastwood and enlisted my son to remove the rust from the frame.

Is this the tool you purchased?

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-contour-sct.html

It does look very capable.

Not quite yet finished but plan to use rust encapsulator product when ready. I also will be coating the inside of the frame with the internal rust encapsulator. I'll let everyone know how it turns out. Still have lots of dismantling to do before separating the body from the old frame.

Indeed do keep us posted!  These rust encapsulators are really a game changer. Many, many years ago I was enlisted to help my dad repaint a boat trailer.  We used the best Rustoleum products available at the time, but we couldn't remove all the rust.  Within the year, the trailer was rusting again!

Thanks again!

Cheers, Edouard 

[red65gs]

Yes, that's the link. Free shipping and $30 lower price seemed like an ok deal. It does seem pretty good for a Chinese made tool. I bought some nylon abrasive bristle drums from amazon for half the Eastwood price, those are working nicely. I'll let everyone know how the finishing drums work when I get to that point. hoping that the stripping will be easier then. Also hoping encapsulating the outside and inside of the frame makes it last a really long time.

[Jimbo]

I have been using Eastwood products for years. The inside frame encapsulator is fantastic. I used it also inside quarter panel access and inside doors. When I had my door and back seat panels removed I sprayed inside with the multi tip sprayer tube that comes with it. Make sure you buy extra because with the sprayer tube, cans empty much faster. The chassis paints / encapsulators are excellent too.
Sign up for emails too. Lots of deals and tips.
The Chicago area store is about a half hour away from me. I visit every month or so. They have cars shows in the parking lot a few times every year. It is a great place to browse the isles.

[cwmcobra]

Enjoy the journey, Don.  And kudos for having a son willing to join in the project.  Should make it extra fun!

 

Chuck

[red65gs]

Yes, this project is good therapy! Good memories of me and my father working on our Buick. When I start traveling again for work, I'll have to stop in the Chicago store and browse. I think that would be a good way to pass some time.

[red65gs]

Finally made some free time and finished my frame today. I coated the inside using the Eastwood encapsulator. It went smoother than I thought. Very runny consistency but that really allows it to spread inside. it has a 360 spray pattern so it worked really well.

[red65gs]

I also coated the outside using a similar product. now I can go back to disassembly. I'll still have to take the 2 brackets off my old manual frame and put on this frame. Going to have to take careful measurements of the Z bar so I can weld it correctly on the new frame. Any tips for placement?

[red65gs]

Went a little heavy on the crossmember coating. I think it will look ok when dry. Sure was pitted a lot and took quite a bit of work to make it look this good.

[cwmcobra]

Beautiful work Don!  Hard to believe it's the same frame.

And don't forget that it won't look authentic if it doesn't have a few "factory runs" on the underside! 

Chuck

[elagache]

Thanks for the update Don!

Keep up the progress!

Edouard

[red65gs]

Thanks, Chuck and Edouard. It was quite a transformation. I'm moving slower than most but I'll get there eventually.

[red65gs]

More hard work today. Now that the frame is coated, ready for more deconstruction. I removed the front bumper, both front fenders, both doors and both bucket seats today. Had to cut off a few bolts as they were rust welded together.

[red65gs]

The battery tray bolts were odd sized due to rust. I tried a 6 pt. and a metric socket with no luck. Eventually ground a deep slot in each head and was able to remove all the bolts with a huge screwdriver plus a cheater wrench. I still can't believe it worked. I was ready to grind all the heads off and drill out later. It was a good day of progress. My son was able to help for a few hours (bonus). He is going to inherit these cars someday, so it's good to have some sweat equity invested. Did I mention there is a lot of rust? (I mean a whole lot of rust!!) It is a bit overwhelming sometimes but every bit of progress helps me be encouraged.

[GranSportSedan]

Nice work..