Hey Guys,

Hoping that someone can help me out...I searched the forum but I haven't found the information that I'm looking for. The a/c box of my 69 RS is looking rather ratty and I want to restore it to "like new" condition. I know that that repop inside boxes are available because I bought one and sent it back since the fit and finish were so terrible. So, I figured I would resurrect the one on my car.

There are several small chips/cracks in the plastic that need to be filled and sanded, but what product should I use for this? I don't think that fiberglass will bond well since the original material isn't made of 'glass (it is some kind of fiber material of unknown origin).

Once I get the cracks and chips repaired, what brand and color of paint should I use? It appears to be a mix of gray and black with small flecks/strands of white fiber. The original looks impossible to recreate, but what should I use to get it close to original?

Thanks for your input.

I've got one for a SB that I will sell ya.. Excellent condition...

Garry

Same here

Hi and here is a pic of my scruffy suitcase half. I removed it and found bad cracks in the bottom corner and edges from the manifold hitting it in the past. I thought about patching but got a used one off ebay and scrubbed it with Dawn dishsoap to remove grease, then sanded with 3M scotchbrite pads to rough it, then painted with John Deere Blixt Black which has been found to be very close to original GM color. I did 2 coats and one coat of spray on clear coat. It turned out great, good luck with your choices. Here is before and after side by side and installed pic.

http://www.brainerd.net/~knudsen/69RS/UnderHood/suitcaseHalves.JPG
http://www.brainerd.net/~knudsen/69RS/UnderHood/suitcaseIn.JPG

Thanks...I've got a nice SB one, but now I need one for a BB.

Hi and here is a pic of my scruffy suitcase half. I removed it and found bad cracks in the bottom corner and edges from the manifold hitting it in the past. I thought about patching but got a used one off ebay and scrubbed it with Dawn dishsoap to remove grease, then sanded with 3M scotchbrite pads to rough it, then painted with John Deere Blixt Black which has been found to be very close to original GM color. I did 2 coats and one coat of spray on clear coat. It turned out great, good luck with your choices. Here is before and after side by side and installed pic.

http://www.brainerd.net/~knudsen/69RS/UnderHood/suitcaseHalves.JPG
http://www.brainerd.net/~knudsen/69RS/UnderHood/suitcaseIn.JPG

Click,

Thanks for the reply and the pictures. The box looks like it turned out great! Does the Blixt paint come in a rattle can or do you have to have to use a spray gun? Also, did you have to prime the box before painting it?

I'm still hoping someone will post some tips on repairing small chips (actually a small hole) and cracks.

And while we are the subject of the A/C box, can anyone tell me where I can get a new POA valve. Every supplier that I've talked to said that they aren't available anymore or that I should expect to pay ~$500.00 if I find one (YIKES!).

What is the best product to get the rust stains from the poa bracket where it ran down the side off? I don't think painting it will look correct enough for me. The original was craked. So I bought a nice one with rust streaks. And mine is big block also.

I have a BB case also but it is installed in my car right now. Not hooked up, but installed. I am taking it out but probably not until I am ready to repaint unless I get one heck of a offer for it, then I'll take it out.

Z10Kl... try using either emory cloth or some of that never dull made by eagle one. That is what I used to clean the one on my bb case.

I have restored two A/C cases to look very close to original without using black paint. One of them was broke in half and faded almost white. I'm not sure how to download pics here. If you can't access the pictures through this web page, http://gt69z@msn.com, then email me at onedynadad@direcway.com and I'll send you some info. If anyones interested, I may take on a few as side jobs or buy any BB (only) cases that need repair. I am close to the end of my two year long X66 project that went over budget by about a million dollars and then came Christmas! I need to recover. Thanks, Gary

the john deere paint is rattle can yes, I just sanded with 3m scotchbrite pads, since its a fiberglass, plastic type product it seems to be holding just fine now. :)

My box did not need any repair. I cleaned it with a tough cleaned and then sprayed it with a clear (rattle can from DuPont). It came out real nice. I think it is hard to match the original black/speckled gray of the original. The clear worked well for me.
Mike

Original boxes were the natural grayish mottled color. For originality, I would paint only as a last resort. If repair is not feasible, watch ebay for a b/b or Firebird 400. They are supposedly the same, but I have what I think must be a Firebird, as the brackets are slightly different than the assembly manual.

New POA valves are very expensive. I would look for used ones at the junk yard. especially if you are not too concerned about having the original plating. It does take time and a lot of scrounging. I love my local Pick N Pull. I just got a 69 POA valve for mine at the Merry Christmas price of $10.00
TTFN
Mat

Guys
Not to hijack the thread, But, what is the difference beteween a b/b and s/b ac case.I have taken one out of a 68 that might be a b/b setup.
Thanks,David

poa valve and lines go toward the engine on a big block plus larger indentation on the engine side of the box.

A quick check is, if the POA valve bracket is on the outside half, it is a s/b. On the inside half, it's a b/b or maybe Firebird as alluded to in previous post.

Also note that all POA valves are not the same. The fitting locations vary by application.

I just Googled "John Deere Blixt Black" and just came up with a link to a Camaro forum as the closest match. Where do you buy it...is it sold under another name? Thanks

The John Deere part numbers for "Blitz Black" are TY25631 for a 12oz rattle can, or TY25642 for a quart. Google for John Deere parts dealers and then search for that number. Some JD dealer searches don't recognize "Blitz Black" but the number will match....Jb

Call your john deere dealer, he knows exactly what it is, he has it on the shelf most likely.

For repairing the case, use a 2 part plastic repair, SEM®, 3M® and Fusor® all make SMC (Sheet Molded Compound) repair materials that are sandable and paintable. Fiberglass will not adhere properly and will fail with time and heat.