Re: 1956 Packard Patrician Rebuild Project

Posted by BH On 2014/5/30 9:52:32

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Polycarbide abrasive wheels are wonderful products - especially since HF stocks a 4-1/2" version for an angle grinder for just $5. 3M makes a compact Roloc version, for an angle-head die grinder, but it costs nearly twice the price. The downside is that these abrasive wheels make a lot of fine, airborne dust. So, be sure to protect yourself from that.

Before going at it with any polycarbide wheel(s), and after scraping the easy, loose stuff off with a putty knife, I like to flail the rust with bevel and cup brushes mounted in my 4-1/2" electric angle grinder (while wearing good eye protection). However, beware of cheap brushes - lest ye want to suffer a few 'quills' stuck in thine cheeks.

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I doubt that undercoating was applied to the frame by the factory, but was more likely done 'locally'. Undercaating was a common dealer add-on in northern climes, where salt and other nasty stuff was/is used to combat snow and ice on roads.

Though rather unnecessary on something as heavy as a frame, undercoating has its plusses. I find it to be a decent sound deadener in wheel tubs. However, long term benefits are questionable. As it ages, it tends to go off-color, which is only a cosmetic issue, but aso looses its grip, over time, it tends to hold moisture, which actually promotes rust.

Since you're going to so much trouble, I think the frame would do better with an application of some sort of rust-encapsulating coating. I've been using POR-15, but have had some mixed results - beyond surface prep. Due to the way it dries/cures, POR-15 can be tricky to work with, and their Rust Preventative Coating must be topcoated if it will be subject to UV exposure. I prefer their glossy BlackCote over the ChassisCoat, but have encountered some issues with consistency of the product.