should bonding lines show?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
should bonding lines show?
I'm getting ready to completely strip my 77 for a repaint. The paint is original complete with fading and cracking. You can clearly see the bonding lines all around the car. I'm not sure if it "should" be this way or just the result of age.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yes, slightly, if your looking for that factory NCRS look , yes. Quality from the factory was always poor..........."and later shrunk with age " !!!
"corrected / clarified "
"corrected / clarified "
Last edited by 427SIXPACK; Jan 12, 2007 at 12:14 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I see we're gonna butt heads on this one. 
Even though the quality control was not great in the C-3 product line, G.M. took care on the finishing steps on the bonding seams. They were smooth for the most part, and were not evident to the casual observer. What you see in "Survivors" and Duntov" specimens is shrinkage, which takes time to show....sometimes more than 10 years, especially if a garage queen. Same applies to early chrome "Bumps" on the upper surround/headlamp support. Trust me..the public would not accept either flaw if they were delivered that way from the factory. I vote to smooth and finish as best possible.
Even though the quality control was not great in the C-3 product line, G.M. took care on the finishing steps on the bonding seams. They were smooth for the most part, and were not evident to the casual observer. What you see in "Survivors" and Duntov" specimens is shrinkage, which takes time to show....sometimes more than 10 years, especially if a garage queen. Same applies to early chrome "Bumps" on the upper surround/headlamp support. Trust me..the public would not accept either flaw if they were delivered that way from the factory. I vote to smooth and finish as best possible.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
I see we're gonna butt heads on this one. Even though the quality control was not great in the C-3 product line, G.M. took care on the finishing steps on the bonding seams. They were smooth for the most part, and were not evident to the casual observer. What you see in "Survivors" and Duntov" specimens is shrinkage, which takes time to show....sometimes more than 10 years, especially if a garage queen. Same applies to early chrome "Bumps" on the upper surround/headlamp support. Trust me..the public would not accept either flaw if they were delivered that way from the factory. I vote to smooth and finish as best possible.
Even though the quality control was not great in the C-3 product line, G.M. took care on the finishing steps on the bonding seams. They were smooth for the most part, and were not evident to the casual observer. What you see in "Survivors" and Duntov" specimens is shrinkage, which takes time to show....sometimes more than 10 years, especially if a garage queen. Same applies to early chrome "Bumps" on the upper surround/headlamp support. Trust me..the public would not accept either flaw if they were delivered that way from the factory. I vote to smooth and finish as best possible.
y not Peace,,,Moosie
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Brampton Ontario
I see we're gonna butt heads on this one. Even though the quality control was not great in the C-3 product line, G.M. took care on the finishing steps on the bonding seams. They were smooth for the most part, and were not evident to the casual observer. What you see in "Survivors" and Duntov" specimens is shrinkage, which takes time to show....sometimes more than 10 years, especially if a garage queen. Same applies to early chrome "Bumps" on the upper surround/headlamp support. Trust me..the public would not accept either flaw if they were delivered that way from the factory. I vote to smooth and finish as best possible.
Even though the quality control was not great in the C-3 product line, G.M. took care on the finishing steps on the bonding seams. They were smooth for the most part, and were not evident to the casual observer. What you see in "Survivors" and Duntov" specimens is shrinkage, which takes time to show....sometimes more than 10 years, especially if a garage queen. Same applies to early chrome "Bumps" on the upper surround/headlamp support. Trust me..the public would not accept either flaw if they were delivered that way from the factory. I vote to smooth and finish as best possible. My 74 still has the Original paint and yes the bonding lines are now clearly visible. I absolutely agree with Big_G... This is a result of years of shrinkage..There wasn't even a hint of the bonding lines when she was new.
While on the subject. What's involved in getting them smooth again. Does all the original material need to be ground out and replaced?.. No where near that stage yet but will eventually have to deal with it.
Ron
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
I thought this was just the effect of age and shrinkage. I guess I'll give is a VERY thin skim coat to make them disappear.
If anyone has a suggestion on the best filler to use let me know
thanks all
If anyone has a suggestion on the best filler to use let me know
thanks all
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Rander and Tommy...If the bond is cracking, those will need to be dug out and 'glassed in. If just shrunk, a good polyester filler like Evercoat #870 should be used, applied on top of the old bonding seam.
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Reading Dave McLellan's book Corvette From the Inside, it's apparent that the paint shop gave up trying to fix the paint on at least some cars. They were often repainted again by the dealer before delivery in an attempt to get things right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: eastern NC
A good friend and I bought new '77 Corvettes back in the day. Within a year the bonding seams were evident on both cars. He fussed enough with the dealer that they repainted his car. Mine weren't as visible and since they were original, I didn't want to chance having it repainted.
At almost every car show judges would want to take points off of the paint for the seams showing and nothing I said about originality mattered.
A new fresh paint job would beat my original, and otherwise perfect paint every time. big_G is right no one wanted to see them. Many paid to have them fixed. It's not difficult to tell an original paint job of the era when the seams show.
Good luck, I vote to redo them... you'll be much happier.
GUSTO
At almost every car show judges would want to take points off of the paint for the seams showing and nothing I said about originality mattered.
A new fresh paint job would beat my original, and otherwise perfect paint every time. big_G is right no one wanted to see them. Many paid to have them fixed. It's not difficult to tell an original paint job of the era when the seams show.Good luck, I vote to redo them... you'll be much happier.
GUSTO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Ground out and glass in the filler area, and it's all fiberglass under the paint. No seam show-thru.
