Once back from media blasting...
Once back from media blasting at D&T Powder Coating in Pembroke, Massachusetts, there were a number of problem areas uncovered, like this ugly corrosion in the driver side A-pillar and dash area.
A major turning point for project Orange Krate came in our last installment when its bare shell was delivered to Don Madden at D&T Powder Coating in Pembroke, Massachusetts, to have his team media blast its body structure. It’s kind of like playing the role of a metallurgical archaeologist where every last secret is uncovered, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worst. When Orange Krate was returned to Competition Specialties in Walpole, Massachusetts, shop owner Peter Newell was waiting to delve into what the team at D&T had uncovered.
For all intents and purposes, this aftermath is the final run down the path to preparing your project for rebirth. No matter how solid you thought your body was when it left, what returns is the real deal with everything exposed. Taking a long, hard look at Orange Krate there were a few surprises, many of which were on the driver side of the car. These included rot-through corrosion on the A-pillar and dash area, driver side floorboards, and rear quarter panel both within the window channel area and bottom of the panel. We also discovered a kinked passenger-side rear framerail in the trunk, proving the hit the car took at some point in its career was indeed pretty hard. Overall, the body was extremely solid and Newell wasted no time in starting the needed repairs.
Next up we’ll address what it takes to clean up the firewall area and get it ready for new plumbing and wiring.
Inside, the car was pretty...
Inside, the car was pretty solid except for this area under the driver’s seat where corrosion had started to work its way through the floorpan.
A close inspection of the...
A close inspection of the driver-side rear quarter panel revealed that rust had crept its way into a number of areas including the inner rear window channels and the bottom of the panel due to water leaks over the years.
To get started on the A-pillar...
To get started on the A-pillar and dash repair, Peter Newell of Competition Specialties in Walpole, Massachusetts, used a standard screwdriver to remove old urethane and body sealer from the area.