Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I finally removed the passenger side front suspension and the idler box. I started to strip the frame in preparation for it's new coating from KBS. I am using a 3M style stripping disc on the flat easy to reach areas and an aggressive wire wheel for the cracks and tight areas. I am hoping to have it fully stripped by Thursday so I can start to coat it on Friday. Here are some pictures of my new progress.

Looking good, any comments on the speed or effectiveness of the stripping disc/wire wheel combo for those who might be contemplating this process?

notoptoy wrote:Looking good, any comments on the speed or effectiveness of the stripping disc/wire wheel combo for those who might be contemplating this process?

The 3M style discs are extremely fast! If it would reach all parts of the frame I could finish it in a couple hours. As it is the top and sides of the frame I did only took about 30 minutes. The wire wheel is quite a bit slower. This is partly because of trying to get it in the tight spots without it kicking back at you, and partly because it doesn't have the stripping surface that the discs have. I am guessing that I will have no more than 8 hours total on stripping the frame.

Nice work Brian. That frame looks like its in very good shape. Cant wait to see the KBS!!

I had some time this morning so I continued to strip the frame. I had to stop because I ran out of the stripping wheels and my wire wheel is done as well. I just need to do the insides of it and the bottom and I will be ready to coat. I have noticed that the small amount of rust that is on it is where the horse hair pads were located. After stripping the areas you can see little divots where the metal has been eaten away. No holes or thin spots so I should be OK. I can't wait to coat it!

Gosh that is pretty - too bad you can't powder coat clear! Or can you?

notoptoy wrote:Gosh that is pretty - too bad you can't powder coat clear! Or can you?

Actually you can! I have seen guys clean up aluminum parts and then clear powder coat them.

That would look really, really cool, and would be different than anything I have ever seen out there.
Ah well, one can dream a bit........

Well 3 months later and I finally completed 2 of the 3 steps to re-coat my frame! I used step 1 which was a water based degreaser, then let it dry. The second step is a zinc phosphate solution to help protect the metal from rusting if the final coat is ever chipped, and also to help with the final coats adhesion. I will apply 2 coats of the final coat to the top side on Friday and then 2 coats on the underside on saturday. here are some of the pictures of the frame with the zinc coating. In some areas it looks like surface rust but it is a copper color left in some areas by the solution. Also the instructions state that it is normal for there to be heavy drip like areas of zinc buildup.

Looking good, nice process.
How many roadster do you have laying around?! Is that an MG in the background??
I hope Lucas isn't contagious.

notoptoy wrote:Looking good, nice process.
How many roadster do you have laying around?! Is that an MG in the background??
I hope Lucas isn't contagious.

I have 5 roadsters currently. Yes it is a 62 MG Midget, first year for them. I saved it from the crusher and spent the last 2 months doing title searches to get the great state of Nevada to issue me a title. Now that I have the title I will put some cheap tires on it so it rolls and sell it on ebay! It is numbers matching and nearly everything is there so it should sell pretty well. Once it is gone and the frame is completed and moved into the garage I plan on filling those 2 spaces with a couple more roadsters!

seen what you've done with your beautiful '67...excited to watch this one!

Finally finished coating the frame. It looks incredible! I can't wait to get my new shed up next month. I am moving my blast cabinet in there and am putting in an oven so I can powder coat parts. The first things I powder coat will be the front suspension parts so I can put the front back together.

Looks great!

Nice!