I thought you guys might be interested in seeing what a stripped and ecoated shell looks like. I just had mine done at Carponents. http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/STR1.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/STR2.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/STR3.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/ECOAT1.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/ECOAT2.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/ECOAT3.jpg

Andrew

Thanks Andrew.. been thinking of doing that as well.. Looks like the way too go! Any insight from your experience with doing this?

That is amazing! That is truly the way to go for a perfect restoration. I wish I had your ambition! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

I have yet to see the car in person, but it certianly made sense to go this route. This process take off all the old paint, bondo, seam sealer and every last piece of gunk. Then the ecoating covers everything with a uniform layer of epoxy primer that is ready for the final coat of paint. I guess I was fortunate to have been relative close to Michigan. Here is a picture of the frame that I got back from the powder coater. http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/IMG_0719.jpg

Andrew

What does a job like that cost? Body and frame look beautiful!

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Scott Dunn
T.C. Member #678

I haven't gotten the final bill for the body yet, but I think just the shell is 1650, and some extra for the door and trunk lid. The frame was about 800. That included the sandblasting and a double coat of powder. They put an epoxy powder on first that really floats well into the corners and offer superior corrosion resistance. Then while that coat is still hot, they spray on a polyester coat that has a really tough finish and a great look. Its about a 70% gloss black for the top coat. I also had them do little parts like the rear bumper brackets, tranny mounts, the little brackets for the front break hoses and also my lakewood bellhousing. All that for 800 with pick up and delivery. If anyone in the chicago area is looking for powder coating services, this place is great. Its Dawn equipment in Sycamore, IL. 815-899-8000. Talk to Jim. Great work and great people. The company that did the stripping and ecoating is Carponents. www.ecoatking.com (http://www.ecoatking.com)
Thanks for the comments everyone. I am really excited about this car. Its not a Chevelle, but it does have a BB chevy engine http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

Hey Andrew, how was the body stripped? Mechanical abrasion, chemical stripping, or chemical submersion? BTW it looks good!

Anybody in the DFW area know of this service around here?

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Bob

My 69 Malibu (http://chevelles.com/showroom/bftrratutt5of01.jpg)

Chip,

The body is stripped by a combination of heat and chemical submersion. The very first step in the process is backing the body at 800 degrees for 8 hours.

Andrew

Andrew-

Looks Great! We are almost at the same stage, except my rolling chassis is "shell ready" as you saw in my pictures I sent you last week. And my body guy is going on Vacation friday morning, and promises the return of my shell this week. He's got it all seam sealed, undercoated, primed and jams will be all painted. The long awaited union of body & chassis may be in a week or so. Your frame repair looks awesome, better than original!

Is the reconstruction scheduled for this summer/fall, or later? I've pretty much given up all hope of getting my 72 Chevelle SS drivable by the end of fall http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif but at least it's got a heated & dry home till finished. Later-



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Gregg Haskin
72 Chevelle SS
ZZ502 Crated RAT
Muncie M-20 4 speed

Gregg,

I am hoping to get everything done by next Power Tour. There is just no way it can be done sooner. Frankly I am not sure that I can do it by then. But keep your fingers crossed. I really need to get a heater in the garage. That will definitely make things easier.

Andrew

Wow, that looks really good. I hope you get it rolling for the power tour.

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Bryan Shook
My website with lots of classic cars (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972)
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Options, Codes & Pricing (http://www.geocities.com/elcamino_1972/elky-options.html)
Favorite Quote: Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.

Hi Andrew,

I've read your article and seen your pictures. They sure are nice and I'd like to have this doen too. You have posted for Carponents www.ecoatking.com, (http://www.ecoatking.com,) but it does not seem to connect. Is this correct or should I use another web site?

Thanks,
Al

Al, For some reason that site is slow sometimes.. Keep trying.. It might be down.. However, if you give him a call heres his info..

OConner, James (JAOC1) joconnor@muhls.com
39900 Willis Rd.
Belleville, MI 48111
US
(PH) 734-753-4782

Thanks for the info Normie! I'll see what gives.

Al

Try http://www.ecoatking.com as the previous link had a comma after the .com. Carponents has an interesting site and they even provide prices.

Dale

Does anyone know of a similar service in the Atlanta, Georgia area?

From what I understand this is a fairly unique process. There are not many places around the country that can do this. The ecoating is actually done at a company that does OEM cars. Carponents buys time on the same line as new cars are being ecoated on.

Andrew

Here are a few more pictures.
http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/shell1.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/shell2.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/shell3.jpg http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/shell4.jpg

andrew what are the bubbles in this shot?? http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/shell3.jpg

hopefully they are just primer drip marks.. or are they something else??

Normie,

I have no idea. Those pictures were taken for me. I have not seen the car in person yet. I am going to pick it up on Saturday. I think those are just primer drip marks.

Andrew

Man I am jealous. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif That looks great. One day maybe i'll have the gumption to tear it all down and do it like I should have from the beginning..........lookin good, gl with making the power tour

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'70 SS 396 4spd
TC# 1341

"I have never retreated. Just advanced to the rear"

Thanks...Im going to need plenty of luck to make Power Tour

I wonder if during the pre-treat/prep process
of heating for 8 hours @ 800 this reshapes or weakens some of the body structure...? Do ya know if this is a consideration Andrew?

Thanks,
Al

Hey Andrew...

I was just on their site and it looks like they chemically remove the old stuff. Is this true or do they heat it up?

Al

Al,

I've used them in the past to strip some stuff. They heat it up first to remove all the old debris, paint, etc. They heat it up over a very long period (8+ hours to get it up to temp) though which prevents the panels from warping. They have done some really nice work for me.

Bill

Hi Bill,

It sure does sound like nice stuff. I was just on the phone with Jim O'Conner. He's
a very nice person and has definate concerns
with regards to your vehicle. He wants it to come out the way we all do. I think this is what I may have done in the near future for my El Camino. Right now it'll take 3 weeks and about $4,000 to get all my parts
done. Now I have to figure out how to get it there and back without damage. Life is never simple and neither is restoration I'm finding...

Al

Just a note to everyone. Jim has beena pleasure to deal with. He is ultra professional and definitely cares about what the car is going to look like. I am going to get my car tomorrow and will have the pleasure of meeting Jim and also seeing Kyle Tucker again. Kyle has also been a pleasure to deal with. I am big on great service and both of those individuals have met and exceeded all my expectations. I feel privilaged that I am close enough to Detroit to have this done to my car with minimal transportation costs. If you can call getting a new TrailBlazer for towing minimal. LOL. Let me know if you guys want me to post more detailed pictures of teh car after I get it back home.
Andrew

Andrew please do.. tell him there are many guys here at TC looking into doing this with him.. I agree.. I called and spoke with Jim for over an hour one day.. he told me what too do and what too expect. Jim is one of those guys I will recommend just on atitude alone. he answered all of my questions, and even told me more than I wanted to know.. I plan on taking my baby too him once I get the 1/4's replaced and trunk floor in.. He said too do all metalwork before the dipping so there will be no need to complete the process again. The more info and pictures you can provide will be helpful too us all..

Will do Normie. Wish me lick guys. I am going to have a very long day tomorrow. Chicago to Detroit and back again.

Andrew

Well guys, I got my body back and it looks even better in person then in pictures. I have a digital cam, so if anyone is interested in more pictures, please let me know. Be specific and I can take pictures of any part of it if anyone is interested.
Andrew

cracks and crevices, The underside of the roof, undercarrige, hard to paint and clean areas..

Ok..Just took some pictures. Go to http://www.speakeasy.org/~andrewb/gtopics/

there are a bunch of pictures that, but starting with IMG_0887.jpg are the pictures I just took. Hope that helps.

Andrew