Paint Issues
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 530
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From: Evington Va
Paint Issues
Hi all. I have a friend that has a paint problem. His resto of a '66 required he put on a one piece front end. When he painted the car, only the front end (an aftermarket piece) bubbled although he went throught the meticoulous part of sanding it down, putting on a good layer of gelcoat, etc. The original fiberglass sections did not bubble, so we suspect it was related to the oils, silcone, etc. in the one piece aftermarket front end.
Anyone had this problem, and more so, what is the right thing to do to prevent it from happening again!
Thanks in advance for any and all assistance in this. It is keeping my friend from getting his '66 back on the road!
John
Anyone had this problem, and more so, what is the right thing to do to prevent it from happening again!
Thanks in advance for any and all assistance in this. It is keeping my friend from getting his '66 back on the road!
John
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 608
Likes: 4
From: houston, texas usa tx
You can get bubbles or blisters in your paint if any stripper/chemicals are left in the glass. This can happen on repainted fiberglass. As the nose is new it shoudn't have this problem but the gases that release from chemicals or some type of reaction in the painting process cause the problem. Since the old glass is fine it sounds like some chemical is in the new nose that doesn't like your paint.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,658
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
Have any of the bubbles popped so you can tell if the gelcoat also bubbled of the fiberglass? If so that's really a bummer - part of the reason you gelcoat in the first place. I would be getting in touch with the fiberglass supplier and pressing him for an answer because it sounds like he will have to strip the entire front end down to bare glass again.
Dan
Dan
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,060
Likes: 9,395
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
did you buy your glass form Corvette Image in Oregon. if so you are not the only person with this problem fact my dads 67 has the same problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 422
From: Seattle Area WA
Who made the front end?
This really needs to be addressed. As stated earlier, the reason manufacturers like Corvette Image tell you to Gel Coat is to prevent solvent popping when the painted car sits in the sun. Also, how old was the front end when this happened. Do you know for sure he used a true Gel Coat or a Polyester primer surfacer? I recently installed a front end and have been letting it sit out in the sun as much as possible to see if I would get any blisters before I shoot it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,071
Likes: 317
From: Central Florida
Once the gel is applied the car should sit in the sun or "bake" for the very least of one week. Most people make severe mistakes by adding paint to quickly to the gelbase. I let my car set for two full weeks. Second think, painters sweat, those little beads of sweat become little bubbles in the future. Impurities play the biggest role with bubbly paint.
Take your time and make sure the car is in the air and the sun for at least three weeiks.
Take your time and make sure the car is in the air and the sun for at least three weeiks.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,060
Likes: 9,395
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
when my dad bought a the glass for the car it sat around for 3 years in our house. then when our painter/body man put it together and gel coated the car it sat outside for one month befor final sanding and paint. explan that, the guy who painted the car never in 30 years had the problem and later found out other cars he used Crovette Image glass did the same thing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 101
From: Riverhead New York
Paint Problems
Long time since I've painted any cars but I did quite a few years back. After stripping I would neutralize stripper with water vinegar mix. Also, air will carry contaminants such as Armorall! Pro shops will not even let it in the building. JMHO Good Luck
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: houston, texas usa tx
If I ever get around to stripping my back deck to get rid of the few blisters I have. I am gong to let it sit out weather pemitting in the hot summers sun the whole season. Hoefully this will minimize the blisters from reappearing.