Bird cage sill

[Jack J.]

I'm planning on sandblasting the extremely visible rust from the underneath of the sill. I have all the tools necessary to accomplish this task. I'm seeking suggestions and/or recommendations from those that have personally done this. Would like to know what was applied to the bare metal surface after blasting. What color should the end result be? Thank you, Jack J.

[Jim S.]

Re: Bird cage sill

What year ?

[Ed S.]

Re: Bird cage sill

if you are dealing with a mid-year you need to consider whether it is an AO Smith body. I believe AO Smith used a different type and color of paint in areas that were not exposed that that which was applied at St. Louis. AO Smith bodies have a dull apple green colored protective coating in those areas - I think St. Louis used black.

[Jim S.]

Re: Bird cage sill

Ed,

Exactly right . AO smith bodies were painted zinc oxide green. and looked that way after completion except for some body color over spray.

St Louis cars appeared black upon completion., with the same amount of body color over spray. I don't remember if they were overshot black , or just shot black from bare metal . Not that important either way in the end , I guess.

I think this difference continued into the 1970ish time frame . But I don't know anything about C1s , or later than 70ish.

Jim

[Jack J.]

Re: Bird cage sill

1964 coupe- May build.

[Ed S.]

Re: Bird cage sill

Jack,
I have a 64 convertible (April 7 build) with an AO Smith body - if needed, I have a few picks that show the green zinc paint on interior sections I can post for your convenience.

[Jack J.]

Re: Bird cage sill

I'm trying to determine just what color/ finish one would see if the car was on a hoist and looking up INTO the sill portion of the birdcage. And, just what be the next and best step after sand blasting rust off and with the metal now bare? Thanks, Jack J.

[Don H.]

Re: Bird cage sill

The sill would all be green zinc chromate primer. At least mine is on my 65 StL body car. If I were cleaning surface rust off my birdcage, I would repaint it with green zinc chromate primer. This photo shows top surface of sill. The underside would look the same.

00I0I_jzcdaK8l7Kc_600x450.jpg

Jim
my cross bar is generally black on the glove box side though coverage is poor on its underside. It is green under the cluster.
IMG_3750.jpg

[Jim S.]

Re: Bird cage sill

Jack ,
Sorry about that I was thinking of the interior cross bar . where the Vin Tag goes .Should have read more closely.

Don ,
So that answers my other question . Was your interior cross bar blacked out ?

Jim

[Tracy C.]

Re: Bird cage sill

The sill would all be green zinc chromate primer. At least mine is on my 65 StL body car. If I were cleaning surface rust off my birdcage, I would repaint it with green zinc chromate primer. This photo shows top surface of sill. The underside would look the same.

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Jim
my cross bar is generally black on the glove box side though coverage is poor on its underside. It is green under the cluster.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]61940[/ATTACH]

Agree with green on bird cage

[John H.]

Re: Bird cage sill

The birdcage was sprayed with green zinc chromate primer at both St. Louis and at A.O. Smith, before it was bonded/riveted to the underbody on the Body Shop main line; viewed from under the car, the bottom of the sills would be green.


BirdcagePrime1024.jpg

[Jack J.]

Re: Bird cage sill

Thank you to all that replied. I now have my answer. Jack J.