Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

[Joe M.]

I decided last night to try to uncover the red frame numbers and build date code. My frame rail had paint overspray from Bubba's 1979 paint job and a thin layer of undercoating. Used mineral spirits to remove the undercoating. I tried to be careful with the aircraft paint stripper (probably too strong for this task). I used a soft toothbrush and brushed on stripper, worked it in for a few seconds and neutralizing with water; then repeated. I was probably a little too aggressive at first, and unfortunately in the area where the date code was hidden. Nothing left of date code but a speck of red paint. Frame ID number wasn't much better. The only parts of frame number that are distinct are "-70." Traces of the 1 and 9 that precede the hyphen are visible with some imagination. Disappointing, but worth a try. If your frame is only covered with undercoating, a solvent that removes petroleum-based product is best, such as bug & tar remover and you will probably have a good result.

[Tom W.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

I really am enjoying reading your posts reagrding your 1960 vette..We are in the process of restoring our 60...It has been with us since 1975 and we did a body off restoration in 1992 and there it sat until July 2011...Now we having a rolling chassis...what a job...and of course lots of documentation...

[Gary B.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

When I tried on my `62 I didn't have very much luck either. It appeared it was stamped only into the paint. Not deep enough to the metal.

[John F.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

Here is what I did with a brush and diesel fuel. #00029. Only roughed up a little bit.

[Gary B.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

When I tried on my `62 I didn't have very much luck either. It appeared it was stamped only into the paint. Not deep enough to the metal.

Sorry.... I was thinking of the VIN Stamp on the top of the Frame.

[Larry C.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

Years ago I uncovered the frame stencil on my '62, #13078. The frame was dirty and had slight surface rust, so I took metal conditioner (phosphoric acid, I think) and slowly brushed it over the area many, many times until the black paint and red stenciling started to appear. The excess dirty runoff was caught on some newspapers and I kept the area wet with the acid. After it was cleaned, the lettering was very visible and I don't think I lost much paint, if any, in this process. After washing down with water and drying, I sprayed a light coat of clear lacquer over the area to preserve the stencil. Not like new but it's original.

Larry

[Thomas H.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

Joe,

Great idea. I think I'll head out to the garage and see if I can uncover mine.

Tom

[John F.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

I used a scrubber brush and diesel fuel. Got a little too aggressive on a couple numbers.

[Joe M.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

Thomas, you must proceed very slow with the diesel or kerosene. The difference between cleaning off what is above the red stenciled letters and cleaning off the red letters is a fraction of an inch. If you think you are proceeding slow, rub the brush over the area even slower. Don't wipe off the gunk, blot it away. One bad wipe will remove red letters.

[Thomas H.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

Well, My frame in that area is nothing but surface rust. The old coating as well as any painted on numbers are long gone...............

Tom

[Philip P.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

A soft brush , mineral spirits and oil eater, I was lucky
stencil19.jpg

[Larry C.]

Re: Uncovering Frame Number/Date on 1960 Frame

Re: Thomas Hoyer post

You may very well be correct that all the frame paint, including stenciling, is gone. I thought the same thing when I started the cleaning search for mine. But with soft paint brush and metal conditioner slowly back and forth, the rust/dirt was removed and allowed the black frame paint and red stenciling to come thru. Like I said, it ain't like new but the lettering is clearly visible.

Larry