ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Body, Paint & Sealers => Topic started by: bullitt68 on October 02, 2019, 12:29:26 PM

Title: Cowl Box Restoration Question
Post by: bullitt68 on October 02, 2019, 12:29:26 PM
Just curious what guys are doing to restore the inside of the cowl box. I am assuming that they cut it open somewhere, then blast/or strip it and then paint it and weld it back up. Mine is rough inside and has probably been painted over a few times. No rust in there at all, just a very rough black finish from dry overspray. Question is should I just leave it, paint over it or cut it open. I was thinking of cutting it open from inside the dash to blast it, then weld it back up, but can't figure out the best way to ho and figured people here must have already been through the process and could advise on the best way to perform this task.

Thanks
Title: Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback Cowl Box Restoration
Post by: midlife on October 03, 2019, 09:49:46 AM
What you describe is very typical of a cowl.  Unless there are holes due to rust around the lower vents that require repairs, it is probably best to leave it be.  There are about a 100 spot welds holding the upper and lower cowl sections together, and this is a major PITA to remove and weld back together correctly, one, if not the most difficult, jobs on a Mustang.  Some have cut sections on the side of the cowls to access the interior, using a painting wand for rust conversion and paint, or to fix minor rust holes around the vents. 

These cowls were never painted inside and what you are seeing is overspray from various painting events. 
Title: Re: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback Cowl Box Restoration
Post by: bullitt68 on October 03, 2019, 12:28:30 PM
What you describe is very typical of a cowl.  Unless there are holes due to rust around the lower vents that require repairs, it is probably best to leave it be.  There are about a 100 spot welds holding the upper and lower cowl sections together, and this is a major PITA to remove and weld back together correctly, one, if not the most difficult, jobs on a Mustang.  Some have cut sections on the side of the cowls to access the interior, using a painting wand for rust conversion and paint, or to fix minor rust holes around the vents. 

These cowls were never painted inside and what you are seeing is overspray from various painting events.

Great thanks. That is pretty well what my painter said as well. I thought it would be a much easier job than that, but my c ar has no rust just dry overspray ij there that does not look pretty. Sounds like most people don't touch it unless it is really necessary