1955, 1956, 1957, Chevy rust: where to look

Rust is the biggest problem with all metal bodied cars.  The Tri-five Chevys are now 50 plus years old, there is going to be rust.  Or there is going to have been rust repaired.

Rust! Oh my!

For the 55, 56, and 57 Chevys there are always “places” where rust will show up.  We can typically see rust on the exterior surfaces. Front fenders above the headlights, front fenders on the lower back corner just in front of the door, on the lower edges of the doors, rocker panels, rear quarter panels on the lower edge just in front or just aft of the wheel well opening.  In the last few years there has been an increase in the number, type, and quality of after market replacement and patch panels for the Tri-five Chevys. Consequently, rust on a prospective Tri-Five may have been repaired cosmetically with a new panel or a partial “patch” panel.  The quality of how these panels were installed repairing the rust may be hard to determine in  a finished car.  Problems with less than proper installations may show up years after a purchase.  Look for a “restored: car that has a photo journal of all phases of the “restoration” so you can witness first hand the quality of the job.  The worst place for rust and usually the first place it shows up is in the floor pans, inner rocker panels, and body braces under the car.  These problem areas are detected by pulling up carpeting or crawling under the car.  Fixing rust in these area is more than just cosmetic, these are structural areas and require proper repair to restore the integrity of the car.  In all but the rocker panel repairs, to be done properly requires the body to be lifted off of the frame, either partially or completely depending on the severity of the rust and needed repair.  “Frame Off” is often the term seen or used in describing the process of separating the Body from the frame.  It implies an in depth attempt to repair rust or restore the car.  Using the term “Frame Off”  is no guaranty that the repair or refinishing of the undercarriage of any car was properly done.  It only describes the process of the repair.  Once again  look for photo documentation of the “Frame Off ” process.  If you are paying someone to restore your Tri-five make sure it is photo documented.  Ask questions before the process begins.  Inquire about details of how the paint and rust are going to be removed, ie.  blasting,  type of medium, wire brushing, sanding etc.  Ask what type of  welding process is going to be used,  electric, electric spot, gas  braze or steel fill.  Ask what type of refinishing is going to be done, etch,  rust converter, primer, final coat.  Each process and product has pluses and minuses.  Some products and methods are not compatible.  Clearly there are some products that have a better track record than others.  Clearly, not all craftsmen or craftswomen are created equally.

Bruce