News: Gail's first week in the paint shop

[GerryLP]

Gerry,

Gerry ask your body shop this for me

Do they mix any talc power in the resin mix???

The reason I ask is I knew a guy back in Nebraska that was by far the best Corvette Body Man I've ever known. He did a back seam on my 67. His name was Tom Togood from Emerald, NE.

I'm just curious if they heard of this before and if they might use the same mix, being old school and using the V seam repair

Bud

Hey Bud!

Sure thing! I'll ask them that. But, does the talc powder acts as an air inhibitor?

 

[Peer81]

Hello Gerry,

To come back on one thing..

In fact, that is the way that the factory put the front clips together, but it is a far cry between the factory and a dealer, no matter if the dealer is "blessed" by the factory to perform the task.

I don't know if I understand you correctly but the factory put the front together with only 3 pieces, top, left and right. But maybe this is also what you say? Mine was damaged on the right side and like on your car the only change half of the panel. I asked why and he said the rear panel was good, fitted nicely and if you replace an entire sidepanel you also have to reshape and reallinge the front, this takes much longer than only changing half the panel. Mine was also repaired with the V seam.

Good luck and I hope to see some more pictures this week

Groeten Peter

 

[GerryLP]

Hello Gerry,

To come back on one thing..


I don't know if I understand you correctly but the factory put the front together with only 3 pieces, top, left and right. But maybe this is also what you say? Mine was damaged on the right side and like on your car the only change half of the panel. I asked why and he said the rear panel was good, fitted nicely and if you replace an entire side panel you also have to reshape and realigned the front, this takes much longer than only changing half the panel. Mine was also repaired with the V seam.

Good luck and I hope to see some more pictures this week

Groeten Peter

You are probably right, Peter. I kinda remember that they showed me their (GM) parts catalog, and to me it seems that they showed the front piece of the left fender. But it does make sense, just the same. Dealerships, just as GM, are always looking for the "bottom line." And, it does make sense that if it is just part of the panel, then they would economize on labor as well (although I am pretty sure that they quoted the insurance company the full price on the full pieces). On the flip side, they probably saved the rear part of the panel to repair another Vette which could have needed that portion...;squint::Wad;squint:

 

[GerryLP]

Easy does it...

Stopped by today. They finished the fifth layer, and now are beginning to smooth the right side. They told me that the stripper arrived a couple of days ago. otfl Sorry, I meant the paint-stripper.

 

[pbcanney]

I love 'how to's'
or 'so-far's'
ummm
or 'how it's goin's'
umm

keep posting progress pics.

 

[Yoda]

;squint: Hmmm Last update March 27, 2008...

We're Waiting Mr LP... :W

How's Gail doing these days???

Bud

 

[GerryLP]

:Lotfl...boy, you guys don't miss a bit...

The painter took me up on my insistance that they do it right and take their time. :ugh So the progress is slow, and I made it a point to swing by only once every two weeks. But here is the last image I took of Gail in the shop...April 12th.

Not shown in the image is that they were getting ready to remove the rear bumper. The tail lights, lic plate, and emblem were off.

GerryLP:cool

 

[Yoda]

Hey... inquiring minds want to know, AND Rare keeps asking ... What am I suppose to say or do otfl

Thanks Gerry

Bud

 

[GerryLP]

Update!

I went to visit Gail today, and she was chilling under the sun among some Corvettes...

Trim removed...I guess I was wrong about the bumper. Jim told me that with the original lacquer paint, it was necessary to add a ruberring additive to the paint and paint it separately. But todays paint are flexible enough to not require that step.

The crack repair done. The light areas had a small ridge (palpable by hand)which he said will be removed when they're ready to block it one more time before painting.

I believe that the number in yellow is probably an original factory marking...

GerryLP:cool

 

[Tom Bryant]

That's very true. Laquer requires a flex agent in the paint so it won't crack when the bumper cover flexes. Modern finishes are very flexible on their own so it isn't necessary. I've done a few in laquer but you have to use all of the right materials.

Tom

 

[Peer81]

Nice to see the update Gerry!

I didn't know you had the glastops rack option. Do you also have the racks?
The yellow numbers are indeed factory work. They are also on your chassis and inside panels (above the fueltank for example). Good luck and keep us updated

Groeten Peter

 

[LT4man]

Nice pics, Gerry!

Thanks for keeping us updated. I can hardly wait to see the finished product. I cannot imagine how anxious you are!

SAVE THE

 

[GerryLP]

Gail's week number....??!!

The latest update. I am glad to report that Bill told me that they plan to have Gail primer'd and blocked by Tuesday or Wednesday. He will call me when they prep her, so that I can take more images.

This one image was Gail about a week ago...

This 1974 Vette was ready for primer application about a week ago...

And here is Gail as of yesterday. Bill left me a phone message for me to swing by and take more images, for she is ready for primering....

I should be able to post more pics by this coming Friday!

 

[Tom Bryant]

I like it. Just have them blow some flattened clear on it and drive it.

 

[jrose7004]

Nice to see the pictures! I was wondering about the progress!

 

[Peer81]

Great update Gerry!

Good to see they don't just sand down the original paint but almost down to the polyester, gives me convidence they care about the end result even after a few years!
I'm just wondering what happend to your left rear fender, looks new to me or perfectly sanded..? Keep it going!

Groeten Peter

 

[LT4man]

When I see pictures like these, Gerry, I realize again how labor intensive good bodywork is. No such thing as running a car through a Quick Wash bodywork booth! :L

I always smile when someone inquires about the cost of a good paint job. When they hear several thousand dollars, they say "Oh, I do not want a show car, just a good paint job." Well, we both know you get what you pay for.

SAVE THE

 

[LanceB]

Are you keeping your 4 t-top rack things on the rear? Personally I never really saw a use for them...

 

[GerryLP]

Are you keeping your 4 t-top rack things on the rear? Personally I never really saw a use for them...

Lance,

Those are original to the car, and they're not hurting anything, so yes, I am going to leave them alone.:ugh

You are right, though. I have never seen anyone using them except for this one corvette in Alameda, California which the owner cruised up and down the beach strip with the tops on their rack on the back, but that must have been 1983 - 1985. With the cost of T-Tops as they have always been (expensive), I would not have the courage to place them on the rack either. :crazy

 

[GerryLP]

Great update Gerry!

....I'm just wondering what happend to your left rear fender, looks new to me or perfectly sanded..? Keep it going!

Groeten Peter

Yeah, I noticed that too. Although, the passenger door is nearly white as well.