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To paint it or not to paint it?

PAULIE B

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
253
Location
LONG ISLAND, NY
Corvette
2007 sliver, 02 sold ,87 sold
I WAS THINKING OF HAVING MY VETTE PAINTED (SAME COLOR OF COURSE). IT HAS FADED IN THE REAR QTRS AND BACK BY GAS FILL. AND ALSO THE HOOD. I HAD THE MIRROS PAINTED AND IT LOOKS LIKE NEW. SO, MY QUESTION IS TO PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT? ARE THERE ANY TIPS AND NOTES I SHOULD KNOW? HOW MUCH SHOULD PAY OR WHAT WOULD BE A FAIR PRICE. (I KNOW YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR) :cool
 
Clear coat peeling doesn't WARRANT a new coat.

Get some 2000 grit, lots of water, then TW Premium rubbing compound, then TW Premium polishing compound.

I did this for 10 weeks last fall, whole car. Pulled the orange peel out too. Turned it into glass too yup! (delts, lats, and tri's got buff after doin' this for 2 months by hand too uh huh!)

This is ONE section. 2000, 1 and 2 passes TW RC, 1 and 2 passes TW PC.

Notice the angle of the sun difference - start to finish rear driver's corner!!!
 
I WAS THINKING OF HAVING MY VETTE PAINTED (SAME COLOR OF COURSE). IT HAS FADED IN THE REAR QTRS AND BACK BY GAS FILL. AND ALSO THE HOOD. I HAD THE MIRROS PAINTED AND IT LOOKS LIKE NEW. SO, MY QUESTION IS TO PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT? ARE THERE ANY TIPS AND NOTES I SHOULD KNOW? HOW MUCH SHOULD PAY OR WHAT WOULD BE A FAIR PRICE. (I KNOW YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR) :cool

One way to get it painted is to wreck it like I did! :L Fortunately I am friends with the best body man in my town (I tend to wreck cars and he has fixed close to ten of them over the last 20 yrs.; have also sent him many customers), so I just let him do it, and he did a great job. If you decide to paint it, don't go cheap. Use the best shop, get plenty of referrals. My guy even has a down draft paint booth with a bake oven. There is one little spot on the front I noticed, and a spot underneath the nose and in front of the radiator. (It's easier to spot things when your car is on the roll back after the water pump bursts in the kid's school parking lot during a soccer game :rotfl).

Once I get it running again (it died in the same parking lot at the next game :W) I'm beginning to hate soccer :mad. I'm taking it down there and they are going to redo those two things. Just remember, if you spend a little more than you wanted- but got great results- all you lost was a little money. If he does a poor job and doesn't stand behind his work- you lost everything.

I only had the nose and bonnet painted, but to make it match, they blended the doors and fenders- touched up the whole vehicle. You can't tell what is new paint and what is old paint, and there is no orange peel. So in essence almost painted the whole vehicle.

Clear coat peeling doesn't WARRANT a new coat.

Get some 2000 grit, lots of water, then TW Premium rubbing compound, then TW Premium polishing compound.

I did this for 10 weeks last fall, whole car. Pulled the orange peel out too. Turned it into glass too yup! (delts, lats, and tri's got buff after doin' this for 2 months by hand too uh huh!)

This is ONE section. 2000, 1 and 2 passes TW RC, 1 and 2 passes TW PC.

Notice the angle of the sun difference - start to finish rear driver's corner!!!

I think Schrade's advice was great, and hopefully that works for you.
 
I don't think GM started using clear until the mid 90s. It's amazing what a little 2000 grit and a buffer will do. Factory paint is usually pretty thin so don't go crazy with the 2000 and keep the buffing pad clean and in a ziploc bag when not in use. Be careful at the edges and don't let the paint get too hot under the buffing pad.

Have fun, it should be very rewarding.

Scott
 
I don't think GM started using clear until the mid 90s. It's amazing what a little 2000 grit and a buffer will do. Factory paint is usually pretty thin so don't go crazy with the 2000 and keep the buffing pad clean and in a ziploc bag when not in use. Be careful at the edges and don't let the paint get too hot under the buffing pad.

Have fun, it should be very rewarding.

Scott

My 90 is clear coat. Also had an 89 Riv that was clear coat.

Glenn
:w
 
YESTERDAY I WENT AND BOUGHT MOTHERS WAX AND STARTED TO GIVE IT A GOOD WAX. I HAVE NO DESIRE TO WAX A CAR. IT HAS BEEN AT LEAST 20 YRS OR SO SINCE I WAXED A CAR. ANYWAY, THE PAINT IS IN BAD SHAPE. NOT PEELING JUST FADING AND SMALL CRACKS. SO WHEN APPLIED THE WAX IT GETS CAUGHT IN THE CRACKS AND ACCENTUATES ALL CRACKS AND SCRATCHES. DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE EXPENSE OF PAINTING BECAUSE I REALLY WANT AN EXCELLENT JOB AND MIGHT WANT TO ADD A METALLIC RED AND CLEAR COAT. MAYBE FLAMES. WHAT DO U THINK? :cool
 
Try Turtle Wax ICE. It is a clear liquid, just wipe it on let it set for an hr and buff it with lots of clean cloths. Do the black plastic trim too. Easiest polish I have ever used.Car needs to be clean when you start it is not a cleaner.
You will be amazed.

Glenn
:w
PS you don't have to wait an hr, 10 min will do but results are better if you wait longer. I have waited till the next day to buff it.
 
I don't think GM started using clear until the mid 90s.
Dude,Thats what you get for think'n!!;LOL;LOL;LOLGM started using Clear Coat Colors on Corvettes as far back as 81!:thumb:thumb:thumb
 
Dude,Thats what you get for think'n!!;LOL;LOL;LOLGM started using Clear Coat Colors on Corvettes as far back as 81!:thumb:thumb:thumb

Wasn't it when they made the switch to BG assembly?
 
I use ICE paste wax on my cars i love it, i dont let it set very long, i HIGHLY reccomend getting it painted we had to paint my front of mine when the neighbor backed into it and WOW:) i didnt realize the rest of the paint was so oxidized until then, tell you what if you do want to get it painted and get it painted the right way we here at Classics by Wes would love your business my father has been in the restoration business for years and has some beautifal cars to prove it including his 1957 Chevy BelAir 2dr hardtop, however we are a little bit of a drive from you i believe:D i could even give you a rough estimate if you would like :w

P.S We use Highsolids clear which puts an amazing! deep shine on the paint and my opinion on the paint would be stay with the same color for sure (it gets pricey to change colors you have to paint the jams and such) maybe do a red metallic, its best to stop by a local paint shop or body shop and look at some color charts!! save the wave bud!!
 
get it painted and get it painted the right way
P.S We use Highsolids clear which puts an amazing! deep shine on the paint and my opinion on the paint would be stay with the same color for sure (it gets pricey to change colors you have to paint the jams and such) maybe do a red metallic, its best to stop by a local paint shop or body shop and look at some color charts!! save the wave bud!![/QUOTE]

FUNNY YOU SHOULD COMMENT...I TOOK THE VETTE OUT YESTERDAY AND LET ME TELL YOU IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT IT DOES NEED TO BE PAINTED. ALL THE CLEAR IS SLOWLY BEING OXIDIZED!:ohnoes I WENT TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND WITH OUT LOOKING AT THE CAR HE SAID"$ 10,000.00. HE IS OUT OF HIS F@#$&^G MIND:mad. SO WITH OUT SEEING MY VETTE WHAT IS YOUR BALL PARK $ ? SAME COLR RED OR CAN I DO A METALLIC RED WITH OUT DOING THE JAMS ETC.. THX:cool:w
 
FUNNY YOU SHOULD COMMENT...I TOOK THE VETTE OUT YESTERDAY AND LET ME TELL YOU IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT IT DOES NEED TO BE PAINTED. ALL THE CLEAR IS SLOWLY BEING OXIDIZED!:ohnoes I WENT TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND WITH OUT LOOKING AT THE CAR HE SAID"$ 10,000.00. HE IS OUT OF HIS F@#$&^G MIND:mad. SO WITH OUT SEEING MY VETTE WHAT IS YOUR BALL PARK $ ? SAME COLR RED OR CAN I DO A METALLIC RED WITH OUT DOING THE JAMS ETC.. THX:cool:w[/QUOTE]

Paulie we can do the car for $5500 give or take a little because it may look better or worse and for $5500 that includes color sand and buff the entire car (brings out the best shine!) as far as not painting the jams i dont reccomend it however if you wanted to to that we will be glad to. as long as your staying with the same general color its fairly easy, could you send me some pictures? if so i can send you a few photos of cars we have done here. if you want to give us a call with any questions we would be more than happy to answer them 1-434-985-8260 my name is Chris, Wes is my father and the owner, have a good one! and save the wave!:cool
 
Oxidizing clear coat does not require a repaint. Peeling clear is another story. Oxidation can be removed by having the vehicle polished, however choose some who is good as opposed to a hack who will just instill swirls all over the finish of your vehicle. Once the clear starts to peel on your car, the only way to correct it is to have it re-cleared. Any other remedies to peeling clear are only temporary.
 
? SAME COLR RED OR CAN I DO A METALLIC RED WITH OUT DOING THE JAMS ETC.. THX:cool:w
I took a friend down to my body shop to get an estimate on having her car painted. When she told him she wanted it painted a different color, he asked her, "Are you going to keep the car forever or are you going to sell it?". When she said she was going to sell it some day, he refused to paint it. Told her it would kill her resale, and he wouldn't paint it unless he did the original color.
 
The new 79 I had was the last year for Laquer, and was painted in St. louis ,and as bad as the paint job was I believe they used the same equipment then that they used in 1953.

I finally convinced GM to repaint the entire car.

When they moved to Bowling Green in 1980 I believe that was the first year for Base /Clear.
 

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