I  have rusted places on the windshield frame header and corner  pieces on my 69 coupe, can anyone offer any advice on the best fix. i removed the interior trim cover and can see rust in 3 places, the worst seems to be behind the rearview mirror. has anyone had the pleasure of tackling this problem. help!   rick d,, needdobx@aol.com

I need some advice on this subject also.  Thanks in advance!

Mickey

Mine wasn't too bad, I caught it in time. I needed a windshield, found more rust than I wanted.

I sand blasted the frame after the windshield was removed, then coated it with Permatex Rust Treatment. After it dried good I painted it with Rust-oleum.

You may have to replace some or all of your frame, that's where you can get into the big bucks.

Hope you guys are as lucky as I was, good luck.

Denny

Hi all.....it's been a while.

Was at Carlise last summer and talked to a guy that had MANY windshield frames in his pile of parts. We talked about this repair, since mine is looking bad, maybe really bad.....before I commit to a paint job and such. I figure a complete frame, and a new windshield to make it right. You can find lots of pieces from wrecks to fix this problem, the new replacement parts seem really expensive, and my guess....they probably don't fit very well as usual. So, how much I ask.....

Yeah, I was ready, everything else has set me back way more than I thought, but, someday I will dive into this. I have no choice, I really want the car done right, and why stop now?

Ok, here it is....he quoted 2K for the job. He says it's all labor....I guessed that myself, frames were marked $400 and mostly the Canadian dudes were grabbing them up.....

Problem really might be finding somebody to do the job correctly, this looks like a bitch, and if not right you'll be cussing somebody as long as you own the car.....

So before I commit to this job, any comments out there???

Thanks, Bruce

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

I learned a couple years ago when I had to have the windshield replaced that this is a common problem area for C3's.  I'm surprised neither of you mentioned leaks when the car gets wet (don't tell me they're trailer queens?!), but I'm assuming you're like everyone else and drive in the rain as little as possible if at all.

Like Bruce says, the frame replacement is a PITA according to everyone I've talked to, but if the damage isn't major then you should be able to get away with the repair and prevention measures that xfire detailed.  If you're not missing a major portion of the frame already, then test the area(s) to see how extensive the damage is and R&R accordingly.  Hopefully it's just surface rust and you'll be able to fix it relatively easily...relatively speaking.

Good luck.

See previous post under "body "  feb 22,2005 " Rust in Bird Cage - gives some suppliers and advice

hope it helps

Big Al

I'm surprised neither of you mentioned leaks when the car gets wet (don't tell me they're trailer queens?!)Good luck.

[/QUOTE]

Mine leaks like a sieve everywhere.  All the weather strip is shot.

Trailer Queen?  HA!  Not hardly.  I had it parked in front of my shop one day and a customer called and said he had been by but nobody was there.  I said: My Vette was parked next to the doors, I'm here.  He said:  OH!  I thought that was a junk car that somebody dumped off there.  (I'll bet he was embarrassed!) 

Nope, it will never be mistaken for a trailer queen.  LOL  Not even when I get finished with it.  I build my cars to drive them.  When I win trophies with my 1972 modified Monte Carlo at shows, it's just icing on the cake. 

Anyway, holding off until we find someplace inside to do the work on the Vette.  The Monte Carlo occupies the garage.  Might have to move her outside, but then she's not covered by insurance if something happens.  While at home, it's supposed to be kept in a locked garage. 

Then again, not trying real hard to find someplace indoors because I'm not sure we want to see what's going on with the windshield frame!  lol

Mickey

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

Well my friends, maybe Ol' Blu is a garage queen, but I do drive it.....If I left 'er outside, I would be real sorry. During resto of everything else, the condition of the area around the windsheild looks rough, I'm not sure why it was so bad, the rest of the car was somewhat decent. It's had plenty of rain on it in prior years, so I guess it didn't have a prayer......

I'll check out Big Al's suggestions...

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

Well Mickey, I'd offer the use of one of my pole barns for your resto, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to make that commute!

As a matter of fact, I can offer inside work conditions for any members in my area, as long as I get to help and learn along the way.  Just IM me or send an email and we can work out any particulars.

Ken Styer...wish you lived closer!

Well Mickey, I'd offer the use of one of my pole barns for your resto, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to make that commute!

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Thank you for the offer.  Yes, just a wee bit far from home.

Mickey

[QUOTE=greypoupon69]Does anyone have some pics of the places that rot??

Thanks if ya do! [/QUOTE]

All the places rot, just some are worse then others. My own impression is the rocker channels are the most rust prone areas of the bird cage, and often the most overlooked. I can just about guarantee that if you have a rusty windshield frame, the channels are pretty much gone too. Also the underbody reinforcements around the #4 body mounts.

[QUOTE=greypoupon69]Does anyone have some pics of the places that rot??

Thanks if ya do! [/QUOTE]

Here is what you might see... Not pretty but can be fixed... A welder buddy of mine and I replaced the header new. Fortunateley the rest of the birdcage was Ok. if you remove the header molding and the steel frame of the molding is rusted out... you have a major problem. The biggest problem with this job was removing the windshield which did break. Mine had no sealant in the header, after an apparent windshield replacement. The header makes a nice collection point for water to sit and rust away... It was a labor intensive job, especially since the car had new paint I haven't been in much rain but I did a leak test after completion and so far no leaks...

  There were some posts on here and may be some in the archives as far as resealing the windshield header.   If you want to see some more depressing pics I got them, but one should be enuf

https://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/6801_6900/6820/Vette%2000 5.jpg

(click to see a bigger image)

[QUOTE=greypoupon69]Does anyone have some pics of the places that rot??

Thanks if ya do! [/QUOTE]

there is a bird cage / frame for sale on ebay. check it out for a good pic of what goes bad. I'd post it here but i'm an idiot on computers & linking pictures. I could email the pic,  but you could look at ebay yourself.

   I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...

[QUOTE=greypoupon69]Does anyone have some pics of the places that rot?? Thanks if ya do! [/QUOTE]

there is a bird cage / frame for sale on ebay. check it out for a good pic of what goes bad. I'd post it here but i'm an idiot on computers & linking pictures. I could email the pic, but you could look at ebay yourself.

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

[/QUOTE]

Thanks Ray for the picture.....I see now.    What about the center part where the T-Tops sit? Was that rusted out too? I've "heard" they do.
[/QUOTE]

 Sorry.. mine is a vert...

(click to see a bigger image)

ebay item #8036971952  ,,,, corvette windshield frame, from a '77.  dont expect to much, it needs work,lots

It's now monday 12:15 a.m.,,, 20 hours left on auction. its in california if I remember corectly. Think the starting bid was $325

ebay item #8036971952  ,,,, corvette windshield frame, from a '77.  dont expect to much, it needs work,lots

It's now monday 12:15 a.m.,,, 20 hours left on auction. its in california if I remember corectly. Think the starting bid was $325.

[/QUOTE]

Thanks!

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113