Regular vinyl can be stretched and shrunk fairly easily. I wanted ppf and this stuff gave me a workout. It’s tough, hard to cut, but does contour fairly well. I have three inlays that will be hard to spot.

 

SO you PPF is not clear but a silver color, and your doing the whole nose, and the rear quarter kicks? Interesting, not just normal Vinyl ?

 

Colored ppf is replacing vinyl as the material of choice for wraps. The colors are unreal and the material is super strong, but it is harder to work with and requires more planning where there are significant recesses and tight turns (this describes a C2 Corvette). Even with a new blade it is really hard to cut and even the steel cutting tape can be a struggle. Also, new cars have many panel breaks where you can hide seams and start new cuts without seams. Other than the doors, hood, and rear valance, a C2 Corvette is one big, convoluted panel. I planned my layout based on using vinyl where I could fairly easily stretch and shrink the material. For example, the ares around the parking lights where they transition into the grill area is tight and complex. I needed two more inlays (separate pieces with visible seams as they don’t end where the panel ends). I realized this after I cut and began to install one large piece (28” x 90”) to cover the whole nose other than the lower valance. I ended up modifying my plan on the fly resulting in two seams that face up and are more noticeable. All seams should typically face down or back to hid them. I may end up replacing this piece when I get back to Texas in the fall.

BTW, I have less than $300 invested in this wrap. That includes a 5’ x 10’ piece of Vvivid GT Silver PPF, Precision Line cutting tape, Fineline tape, alcohol, clay bar kit, and tools. All available on Amazon. I have enough ppf and plan on extending the stripe the length of the car. If I decide I don’t like the color, the look, or my install I can change it relatively inexpensively other than my labor which can be a workout.

 

Cool deal man., I have had some PPF on cars its tuff stuff for sure.

 

Super trick...and, at the speed of light...NICE

 

Mark,

Thanks for the explanation. That process looks like a great option vs paint. But, knowing myself, I'd loose my mind trying to apply it. I would be much better off paying a pro and keeping my sanity. You're sure doing a nice job.

Ted

 

Thanks, Ted, it’s definitely a commitment of time and considerable effort. I exercise regularly, but my right shoulder was killing me last night from all the pulling, stretching and controlling the ppf. You don’t realize how much work it is until you look at the clock and see 6 hours of continual motion has passed.

I asked a friend who owns a company that also does ppf. He said he would charge a customer $2,000 for this job and he usually won’t take cars built before 1990. I feel like my wife when she tells me she saved $200! She bought a pair of $500 shoes on sale for $300. Logic.

 

That's funny. I once told my ex-wife that I couldn't afford to have her save me any more money. Obviously didn't know when to keep my mouth shut.

Ted

 

Being married for 47 years I learned to keep my mouth shut !

 

Impressive work Mark

 

Mark, sorry to hear the wrap work strained your shoulder. Be careful at our no longer young age we don't bounce back like kids. I blew it 2 months ago now. Strained both shoulders. I also exercise regular and thought I was pretty bullet proof at 68 years. Wrong. Now 8 weeks later, MRI's cortisone shots and therapy and still can't sleep at night due to shoulder pain.
When they start to hurt give them rest. Pushing more does damage. Doctor says maybe 5 or 6 more weeks and I should see improvement if they do not require surgery. Can't do any of the pending jobs I have in the hopper. Drives a guy crazy. Your car is coming along really well. Nice work

 

LOL.. Been UNmarried for 32 years... I enjoy seeing the banter between married people... Makes me realize how good I have it.....

 

Mark that is looking so cool, glad you got the car as it will live up to its full potential and be done to a high level.

 

Mark glad to see all those skills you learned from the early factory five days are helping in your latest project
looking good
Bob

 

Yeah, definitely a big help, Bob. Remember having to grind out the body seams to get all the embedded gel coat out and then refilling them with marine vinylester?! What fun…

 

and beating the crap out of the body with a wire brush looking for air pockets
Bob

 

Bob, you’re giving me a headache!

 

I have been busy. Mainly waiting for parts and tools as my best tools are in NY. My front grill did finally arrive on Friday.


I only had 3 of the 12 mounting tabs in the nose for the grill, so I made some by draping 4 layers of fiberglass cloth over 1 1/2” angle aluminum.

Once it cured, I cut and shaped 1” pieces.

Bonded the new tabs in with epoxy, measured and drilled the holes, painted everything black, and installed u-nuts.

Then bolted in the grill. Now that’s a proper front end.

I also made a jig to cut the Lexan covers.

While the epoxy was curing, I ripped this fire hazard out. I’m going with the Oem set up of hard line from the fuel pump to the filter mounted on the manifold and hard line to the carb.

Probably cut them tomorrow or Tuesday. Passenger side first, I’ll try to cut them a bit oversized and then hand sand them for a final fit.

I’ve never been a fan of Edelbrock carbs and this one will be replaced in the fall with a Holley style dual feed, vacuum secondary. It’s hard to see in this picture, but whoever bent the metal fuel line didn’t use a tubing bender and it has a big kink in it. That section is getting replaced.

I wiped the engine bay down, but it still needs a good steam cleaning.

 

Are the grille mounting tabs you made only for the 63 - 64 cars with their specific grilles

 

I made them specifically for my 1964, but they are just 1”wide 90 degree tabs. I’m not sure how the 65-67 grills attach, but if they use fiberglass tabs molded into the nose then these would work.