Question: 58 paint

[locojohn]

My 58 was restored in 1980 - painted with lacquer. I am seeing a deterioration in the paint just outside the master brake cylinder on the cowl and fender of my 58. The flaw is the appearance of small blisters (measel like). I have had several other 58 owners tell me they are seeing the same problem. Because of the location I thought it might be associated with the brake cylinder (using silicone fluid). Any thoughts ?

 

[mr.beachcomber]

Typically I've seen these type of blisters on Vettes that have seen stripped chemically where the chemical agent has broken through the gel coat and been absorbed by the fiberglass itself. As the chemical agent works it way back to the surface over the years, it will cause these types blisters as it detaches the paint underneath from the gel-coat surface.

As far as fixing this type of problem, go to an expert restorer that specializes in Vettes to have the shop hand sand away the affected areas including the gel coat, do whatever type of chemical extraction/neutralization that is appropriate, and then re-gel coat, prime, and paint the effected areas.

Just MHO. Whatever you do, get some expert evaluation before you decide to tackle the problem. Good Luck!

 

[locojohn]

Thanks for the feedback Mr.B - The car was chemically stripped in 1980. Your hypothesis sounds correct.

 

[JohnZ]

Corvettes don't have gelcoat, but boats do. What you're seeing is contamination of the fiberglass from absorbing standard brake fluid, which occurred prior to changing it over to DOT5 silicone fluid. Repeated applications of acetone and direct heat (after removing the paint) followed by epoxy primer sometimes works, but the only real cure that won't blister again is replacement of that portion of the upper surround with new fiberglass.

 

[locojohn]

John Z - your explaination make perfect sense. I always believed it had something to do with the brake fluid since the Master Cyl is located right where I see the problem. I couldn't make sense out of it though because I'm using silicone fluid - I never thought about an impregnation of previous brake fluid. Thanks for the input.