Topic: Need help with Build Sheet Removal
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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We removed the gas tank and found no build sheet. So we decided to remove the metal inner liner between the fiber glass body and the gas tank in hopes of still finding it. To our great surprise the build sheet was on top of that metal inner liner located on the driver side!
It has been well preserved and you can read about 95% of the information. The build sheet matches the car 100%.
Now my question is this ..... it has been glued down with a goop of glue in the center. What is the best way to remove it without damage. The paper isn't super brittle but if you touch the writing I can guarantee you that it will smear.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Anni 77 Red Corvette
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Anni, First take a picture before you do anything about it. The next thing is to use an Ex-acto knife or a common razor blade. You will find that a lot of detail will be illegible, after you suceed in the removal. There was a way to get a sheet from GM. I'm hoping that someone who sees this can assist you with that. Good luck and be careful, Larry
corvette440hp
Definitely take a pictue before trying to remove it. With a digital. Take several, close up.
You might be able to loosen the glue with a hair dryer set on warm, but be real careful with the heat.
Gently lift the paper and slowly cut the glue with the razor blade.
As for getting a copy from GM, the only ones available are for the Bowling Green assembled Vettes. And that is from the National Corvette Museum.
Sorry, yours was built in St. Louis.
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Build sheets are available for '77-up Corvettes...for a fee. Search the forums and you will find a link for the place that can make copies of he originals.
As all have already said, take LOTS of high quality photos before doing anything with the build sheet. Heat won't do much good with the type of adhesive they used. It's gonna be hard as a rock by now.
Your best bet is with a wide blade scraper, and try to scrape the GLUE off the cover, not the sheet. Don't worry about marking/scratching the cover...it'll survive.
Best of luck with it, and post some pics of it, whether ya get it off or not!
As all have already said, take LOTS of high quality photos before doing anything with the build sheet. Heat won't do much good with the type of adhesive they used. It's gonna be hard as a rock by now.
Your best bet is with a wide blade scraper, and try to scrape the GLUE off the cover, not the sheet. Don't worry about marking/scratching the cover...it'll survive.
Best of luck with it, and post some pics of it, whether ya get it off or not!
Joel Adams
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Anni,
Anthony
After dropping my tank, I was able to play archeologist & clean my build sheet with a paint brush and some patience.
I photographed it, & then I placed a sheet of sticky laminate paper over the build sheet. After repeated rubbing, I was able to lift the build sheet off nearly perfectly, and I laminated another sheet on the back to seal it up.
I also scanned it & made a copy (laminated) which I placed on my new tank before I installed it.
Here's how it came out:
Good luck,
Anthony
I just wanted to thank everyone for their input!
I have taken several surgical blades home from work and will attempt the removal this weekend if all goes well. I have taken a bunch of digital pictures and with a little luck will be able to remove it in tact. All of your advice has been so helpful.
I will let you all know how it turns out.
Anni ....77 Red Corvette
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
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Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Once you take the pictures, another thing you can do is to open the file as a negative. This really gives you a good insight to that other 5% you can't read now.
Best of luck with the removal and preservation!!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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Keep your blade flat on the tank and go slowly. You want to separate the old glue from the tank. You do not want to try to separate the paper from the glue.
6880Mike 2008-04-11 10:13:34
Good luck.
Ten15: PM sent.
Just wanted to update everyone who was so kind in giving me all this great advice on the best way to remove my build sheet.
I worked on it this past weekend and had super success in removing it from the inner gas tank liner cover with limited damage to the build sheet. I had taken a ton of pictures from every angle so anything that was lost I still have in photos. It's pretty amazing that the build sheet information matches the car to a T.
Now I need to figure out the best way to preserve it.
By the time we get done with this car it will be better then when it rolled off the assembly line in St. Louis.
Thanx again for all your help!
77 Red Corvette
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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