Frame coating?

[Bent6]

I just pulled my engine which was leaking oil like a seive. The crossmember and frame rails were nasty - when I went to wipe up the oil, the factory coating came right off leaving bare metal underneath.

My question is this - what is the oily/tar like coating that came on the chassis from the factory? After I finished cleaning, the front half is now almost all bare metal. It looks super clean but it will eventually begin to surface rust - I either need to recoat it or paint it. I don't really car for the coating but on the other hand I hate to paint the front portion of the chassis and leave the rest "coated". Any suggestions?

 

[Instro84]

my frame was painted from tha factory, what you see is probably oil and dirt it picked up from the leak

 

[Bent6]

It's not oil/dirt as the entire frame has the same coating from front to rear. It's almost like some type of undercoating only it's not rubbery but instead rather oily.

 

[TurboRegal84]

You are correct that it is a rubber/coating type of covering and to comes off with ease with some brake parts cleaner. In 1980's standards I am sure it was great...by todays standards there are far better things on the market. Paint the frame with Por-15. It comes out fantastic and prevents rust.

 

[regan j]

I could be mistaken but

I believe the frames were covered with cosmolene--someone correct me if I am wrong-- POR 15 is good stuff as long as u do not expose it to UV and buy the six pack containers or when u decide to close the large can make sure and displace the air from the can or u will have a can of hard junk and open another can--if u have a welder use argon--again, if I am wrong on this ,someone please correct me

 

[TurboRegal84]

POR 15 is good stuff as long as u do not expose it to UV

Usually I use Por-15 and then paint over it with your finish of choice (Gloss, Semi Gloss, Flat)

 

[aminga]

I believe the frames were covered with cosmolene--s

it wasn't cosmoline but a waxy coating.

 

[V8Assassin]

I will second the POR idea, it works well. The only problem I have had with it is around the jack pads and slick metal like where the front crossmember turns up. It likes rusty metal, make sure to use the entire three step process for best results and defenitely paint over.

 

[turbofish38]

The factory used Cosmoline over bare metal. A bizillion opinions on what to use to make it black.

 

[Bent6]

After cleaning all the oiled up factory coating junk off I ended up using Eastwood's Paint-Prep to get it completely oil free. You can really see the beautiful factory welds on the chassis when you take it down to the buff - 80's robotic technology at it's finest! Then sprayed it with Eastwood x-treme chassis black primer. Looked pretty good at this point but went ahead a sprayed it again with Eastwood x-treme chassis black paint. Turned out great - I actually liked the finish of just the primer - the paint has a little more of a satin finish but it's tough as nails.

 

[Danster]

I used the same stuff from Eastwwod's collection and really like the way it came out. I have only done the front end of the frame at this time. But will continue to do the entire frame with it.

With the front-end off the car my next step is to raise the body off the frame so I can finish the rest and at the same time change out the body bushings.

My only delema, which body bushings to use, poly or OEM?

OEM is $$$$$$

Dannyo