C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Side louver question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 8, 2005 | 09:57 PM
  #1  
71will's Avatar
71will
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default Side louver question

Can the side louvers (71) be sand blasted, beeded....etc. ? They seem to be made of a soft pot metal. Any suggestions on getting off the old paint.

71will
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2005 | 10:09 PM
  #2  
big_G's Avatar
big_G
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

NO SANDBLASTING!!! They are chrome-plated..use a chemical stripper, or laquer thinner in a paint tray, (cover it!)
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2005 | 10:58 PM
  #3  
Techno's Avatar
Techno
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
Default


Paint doesn't stick to this slick surface very well so comes off easily. Don't use anything scrubby scratchy like either. It will come off.
Now that you know its chromed no you can't leave it since they didn't plate well enough for that. I think it was only for the edges.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2005 | 11:43 PM
  #4  
cosmicvette's Avatar
cosmicvette
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Default

I see...so the whole panel is chrome plated under the paint?

I know it has been touched on lightly before...but I don't think there was a clear response (unless I didn't take too much notice of it at the time as I didn't have my vette yet)...anyway...my question is:

Would it be possible to take paint off some of the edges to show the chrome edge underneath as per the original factory specs?

Reason I ask is, the vents on my 70 have been repainted years ago(along with the rest of the car) and they painted over the chrome edges.
I would like to get this edge back!

Cool.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2005 | 11:55 PM
  #5  
big_G's Avatar
big_G
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

We use a razor blade and lots of patience!
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 03:50 AM
  #6  
cosmicvette's Avatar
cosmicvette
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Default

Originally Posted by big_G
We use a razor blade and lots of patience!
patience??? sh$t!


ok...so I razor blade the edges...but won't that leave a weird edge that can peal or something?
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 06:14 AM
  #7  
Graemeinvette's Avatar
Graemeinvette
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Default

There is a lip on the edge to help you, use sharp blades and lots of TLC.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 11:40 AM
  #8  
71will's Avatar
71will
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default

Any suggestions on what brand or type of stripper to use ?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 12:00 PM
  #9  
big_G's Avatar
big_G
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

any automotive paint stripper will work.....
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 12:30 PM
  #10  
eddiemeddiem's Avatar
eddiemeddiem
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Default

On a similar topic, does anyone know where I can buy a pair of side louvres? I bought my car a few months ago, and it has 73/74 side louvres on it... I much perfer the look of the 70/71...

I've been looking around on the internet and mail order companies, but I haven't had much luck.

All help is appreciated.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 12:33 PM
  #11  
big_G's Avatar
big_G
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

Do you mean you have the wrong fenders?....To use the 70-72 side grilles, you need to have 70-72 fenders........
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 12:49 PM
  #12  
eddiemeddiem's Avatar
eddiemeddiem
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Default

I believe that I have the correct fenders, it just looks like the original side grills (louvres) were replaced at some point years before I got the car. They're just screwed in... currently, I have the entire suspension out, and 75% done with rebuilding bushings, universals, rear end, shocks, bearings, springs ball joints, tie rods, etc...

Here's a link to a photo:

http://www.geocities.com/eddiemeddiem/img_1053.jpg

What do you think? The ones I'm looking for are more like a "grill", if you know what I mean.

Thanks!!!
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 01:11 PM
  #13  
big_G's Avatar
big_G
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

It looks like you have bolt-in inserts, so from what I can tell, you just need to hunt down 2 side louvers...G/L
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 01:30 PM
  #14  
1970 Dave's Avatar
1970 Dave
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

Originally Posted by eddiemeddiem
On a similar topic, does anyone know where I can buy a pair of side louvres?

I've been looking around on the internet and mail order companies, but I haven't had much luck.

All help is appreciated.

Check Doc Rebuilds catalog-- I think I remember seeing them in there

SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2005 | 05:32 PM
  #15  
71will's Avatar
71will
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default

mine had the same louvers but they were more glassed in need to do some glass work after i pull off those bogus louvers.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Side louver question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:03 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE