79 Spare Tire Carrier Resto

Red 69 · 05-18-2006, 12:09 AM

I disassembled the spare tire carrier in my 79 and found it to be in VG good condition for a 26 year old car. The metal support brackets have some flaking rust and I am considering my options for an attractive finish. Grinding off the rivets to have the brackets powder coated before reassembly is a thought. It has been a show car, but not for NCRS judging. What do those in the know suggest for an appealing finish and arrest the rust on the support bracket and 3 mounting studs.?

The spare tire is like new and has some faded chalk marks on it. Anybody know what the spare tire mark should read? Thanks!

KapsSA · 05-23-2006, 02:48 AM

I simply drill out the 6 rivets and remove and sandblast the strap. Painted it with black satin finish Rustoleum. The bucket I thoroughly cleaned with lacquer thinner. No paint on it. Replaced the rivets from the outside instead of inside. I just feel it looks better. Found big head alum. pop rivets at Home Depot.
Did this on another 78 back in 88 and had it Bloomington judged. They never noticed the backward rivets as the tub is open with the tire pulled out for judging.

blbeck · 05-23-2006, 02:59 PM

There are some reasons for not having the pop rivet tail installed on the inside of the tub, the tire drags on the tail of the rivet when installing and removing the tire causing the rivets to become loose. The tub is weaker then the strap and with the tail on the inside of the tub it can over time pull through the fiberglass,that is the reason the engineers went with the larger head rivets.
Bob Beck

KapsSA · 05-23-2006, 06:07 PM

I use pop rivet washers on the inside against the fiberglass. Tire drags on the rivets loosening them? Tires come out once every 10 years or so! Did my black 79 22 years ago, think I removed the tire once to add air. I would think the factory did it the other way simply because it's cheaper. 6 washers X 1,000,000 Vettes

.
Mike

gq82 · 05-24-2006, 09:38 AM

Tire carrier should be natural black fiber reinforced plastic. The V shaped metal support strap is painted semi-gloss black.

I would just clean the carrier and repaint the support.

blbeck · 05-24-2006, 03:59 PM

gq (jerry)
Your spare tire tub looks correct, looks like it just rolled off the production line yesterday. I enjoyed your article in May 04 Edition of Corvette Enthusiast, you have a very nice chrome bumper Corvette.
Bob

gq82 · 05-24-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blbeck

gq (jerry)
Your spare tire tub looks correct, looks like it just rolled off the production line yesterday. I enjoyed your article in May 04 Edition of Corvette Enthusiast, you have a very nice chrome bumper Corvette.
Bob

Thanks Bob!!

Red 69 · 05-24-2006, 10:30 PM

Thanks to all who responded, looks like I will be sandblasting and painting the metal strap only.