1978 Malibu Update Thread

[78mali350]

Well first off for those of you who do not know this is something that I always did on the old projectcamaro site as my way of keeping people up to date on my 1978 malibu, so here's the update

Just got the car out this weekend and found out my frame rails have quite a bit of surface rust that has started to form on them since spring break, only reason I say that is I was under the car changing the oil then and everything was clean, Now I come back a few months later and rust is forming everywhere. So looks like the last two weekends of this month I will be heading back home to get the rust off and then put some sort of protective paint or something on them, just thought I would update you all

Along with this update I am going to pose a question on you all since the gbody site refused to give me any solid answers

Probably a common question to some of you guys but I just wanted a few opinions. I need to put something on the underbody of my malibu for fear that when it sits over the years that I am going to get some rust on it only because I can't drive it much while being in school. What do you guys recommend for some undercoating. Kinda wondering what i could use to cover...everything! ha basically all i am thinking of is taking off the exhaust and then painting some stuff on the entire underbody to try to prevent any rust from happening on me while i am not home.

what do you recommend and why?

previous experiences with some pictures would be awesome

This is going to be a weekend project for me also kinda looking to do it in about a day and a half since i don't have alot of options with work

Thanks for your help

Funny thing is I posted this question above about a week before I found the rust on the car

SO sorry about the long freakin post, just looking for some help!

[Lucky SOB]

Brian just used POR 15 on his camaro. I think he did some research on different products and that was the best.

[TSTONE]

wire brush and por15

[Boost Addict]

Get the big chunks of rust of and put the POR 15 on, you dont want it all stripped because the POR bonds to the rust better than bare metal. Chassis Saver is another similar product.

[meissen]

Yup - everyone's said it. POR15, and it bonds like steel to rust.

After POR-15:

[JoeliusZ28]

i used chasis saver on some cancer that seemed unstoppable on my truck and it stopped it in its tracks.

[92conv]

Well, unlike everybody else so far. I'm going to ask "What condition is your undercarriage right now?", "What are looking to accomplish?", "Do you want a detailed undercarriage?" if yes then use the Por 15.

But if your undercarriage looks decent already, and you're only looking to hold off any rust from occuring while the car is stored long term, then I suggest spraying the underside of the car with oil. (I know some people are going to balk about this, but it works.) Park it on a piece of plywood, and put something under the car in several locations to help absorb moisture. I have one friend who went even further and cut the plywood so that he can raise it up as close as possible to the bottom of the car.

[ModernMuscleHead]

Well, unlike everybody else so far. I'm going to ask "What condition is your undercarriage right now?", "What are looking to accomplish?", "Do you want a detailed undercarriage?" if yes then use the Por 15.

But if your undercarriage looks decent already, and you're only looking to hold off any rust from occuring while the car is stored long term, then I suggest spraying the underside of the car with oil. (I know some people are going to balk about this, but it works.) Park it on a piece of plywood, and put something under the car in several locations to help absorb moisture. I have one friend who went even further and cut the plywood so that he can raise it up as close as possible to the bottom of the car.

I always used Charcoal to absorb Moisture and it worked pretty well. I think that a little oil or even some WD40 go along way like Scott Said.

[78mali350]

Update time: 7/9/09

I am finally home to Sioux City and that is where all the pictures for my updates have been that have happened in the last like half a year haha. Only things I have gotten done are a few cosmetic things but I personally think it really makes it pop. Let me know what you guys think

First update is changing the license plate surround from the plastic painted piece that was in there to a stainless piece that I had to polish by hand ha so here is a before and after

before

after


Next update is my radio mounting, this is mostly for the other site I am on. I fabricated my own plate to mount it to so it doesn't stick out like 2 inches like the kits that are available



Lastly is another picture for the other site showing my tach mounting


Those are some updates and when I go get the car out tomorrow I will post some of my new trunk carpeting and my new package tray for my speakers, love how both of these turned out but I do not have any pictures of it yet.

And here is what I get to tackle tomorrow.................



Enjoy the updates guys, I will post some more pictures about the same time tomorrow night of my progress

[bigjon88]

loooks great man

[78mali350]

Just forgot about this, I got an early birthday present and finally got a car cover for the car! Love it, it's lightweight and breathable check it out!

[MP81]

I can't wait to see more updates!

Keep up the good work, Vince!

[bigjon88]

nice car cover... so are those better than fitted ones

[78mali350]

nice car cover... so are those better than fitted ones

the thing that I really like about it is that it doesn't seem to really rub or grab on the paint, not sure if that makes any sense but yeah. I like because there is basically no tension on the car but it has some elastic to wrap around the bumpers that holds it on. My grandpa swears by these covers and he has had 3 made for his Model T's so that's another reason why I got it because the gift was from them

[meissen]

Looks great so far, Vince! Keep up the great work and as always - keep us updated with pictars.