C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

[Tom R.]

I decided to pull my spare tire carrier from the 78, clean and paint tub (just clean no paint to tub) and straps. But curious what others make of these rivets. I have included photos of both sides.

Also, curious how best to clean the tub. Looks like the car saw a stint on the dirt roads of Georgia (red clay). I have gone through the archives and got some pretty good notes on rivet replacement so I think I'm good there.

DSC03748.jpgDSC03747.jpgDSC03746.jpgDSC03745.jpg

[Steven B.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Tom, I have started to do my 12,000 mile, always stored indoors SA and I am beginning with Simple Green, diluted. Hopefully I will not need to go stronger but if so I will not dilute. Your carrier looks like it does not need a major cleaning, just surface. My '78 spent some time in GA, also. Good luck with it! Steve

[Patrick N.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Tom, I also used simple green and lightly scrubbed with 000 steel wool to clean my tub. My tub had some over spray from a repaint job that had to be removed which is what lead me to the 000 steel wool. The tube came out great. I have also used the green and maroon 3M pads on the under body of my car and that did a good job cleaning the fiberglass nicely as well.

My rivets were very corroded / oxidized. I drilled them all out, refinished the metal strap. I have a pneumatic rivet gun and re-riveted the bracket back to the tub with rivets from one of the repo suppliers. I was very happy with the results- for very little effort, the results were great.

Best,
Pat

[Scott S.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Tom, Your rivets are replacements called pop-rivets. You can see the marks where Bubba ground off the originals. The correct rivets are available form Corvette Central or Paragon. I could do them for you at Corvettes of Carlisle. Just let me know.
Scott

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Tom, Your rivets are replacements called pop-rivets. You can see the marks where Bubba ground off the originals. The correct rivets are available form Corvette Central or Paragon. I could do them for you at Corvettes of Carlisle. Just let me know.

Thanks Scott...they looked suspicious but just wasn't sure. They must have beat the crap out of it to have to replace the rivets. What was conflicting was that the bottom side, along with the rust looked rather natural. But than it is a 56k mile vehicle. I may take you up on that offer and spend the time to clean and paint.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Patrick

you would think aluminum rivets would not oxidize and rust but apparently, as we both see, happens! Sounds like you've got the tools to complete the job but will definitely use your techniques to bring it back...thanks!

[Scott S.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Tom, Just remind me before Corvettes of Carlisle.
Scott
scott1956@rogers.com

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Tom, I also used simple green and lightly scrubbed with 000 steel wool to clean my tub. My tub had some over spray from a repaint job that had to be removed which is what lead me to the 000 steel wool. The tube came out great. I have also used the green and maroon 3M pads on the under body of my car and that did a good job cleaning the fiberglass nicely as well.

Patrick

That 0000 steel wheel and simple green worked nicely. Still got some spots of black paint, I believe, and not sure whee that came from. I'll try some cleaners I have to see if they will lift the paint.

My rivets were very corroded / oxidized. I drilled them all out, refinished the metal strap. I have a pneumatic rivet gun and re-riveted the bracket back to the tub with rivets from one of the repo suppliers. I was very happy with the results- for very little effort, the results were great.

Yeah...drilled out without a problem. Probably took 90 minutes to bead blast the strap but got primer drying on it.

[Patrick N.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Patrick

That 0000 steel wheel and simple green worked nicely. Still got some spots of black paint, I believe, and not sure whee that came from. I'll try some cleaners I have to see if they will lift the paint.

Yeah...drilled out without a problem. Probably took 90 minutes to bead blast the strap but got primer drying on it.

Tom, Glad to hear the job is progressing nicely. I think the tub was one of my favorite jobs because it was so dirty when I started and with little time and effort the results were great. My car spent most of its life in western PA and maybe Ohio so if it was out during the winter I'm sure the road salt did a number on the aluminum rivets. in fact, the metal plates under the car that the seats and seat belts are anchored to had at least half of the rivets not holding due to corrosion. All have been replaced Post pics when done- so we can see the before and after.

[Patrick N.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Patrick

That 0000 steel wheel and simple green worked nicely. Still got some spots of black paint,

BTW- I did use some paint thinner on some red paint over spray that was on my tub to get the stubborn paint off.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Yeah...lacquer thinner worked nicely on paint. Any tips for rust stain removal?

I painted the straps first in satin black and than in the semi-gloss black. I like the look of the satin black but recognize we judges are looking for some gloss but can't help but think 30-40 years ages the sheen of semi-gloss black to the look of satin.

[Patrick N.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Yeah...lacquer thinner worked nicely on paint. Any tips for rust stain removal?.

I have not tried this myself, but maybe a light spray of rust converter would turn the stain back to a black color? I think others might have better techniques though.

[Jim A.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Tom, I am doing an off the frame restoration of my 1977 L48. Do you still have any "after" pictures of the spare tire carrier.
Attached are my before pictures. My tub is dark in color. The bottom is completely covered with undercoating and the original rivets were ground off and replaced with pop rivets.
I have read your original post and the replies.

[Jim A.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Attached are the photos I failed to attach!

[Scott S.]

Re: C3 Spare Tire Tub Resto

Jim, Not sure what to tell you?
My phone # is 905-857-1463