Before I start into stripping the paint, I'm not too sure what I have here. Obviously, we start with the fiberglass, then some primer? then a brown gell-coat? then another coat of yellow primer? then the red base coat? My paint is bubbling up/flaking off all over the car right down to the fiberglass & primer.

Also, not sure if I should use a razor blade that could dig into the fiberglass or should I use a chemical to strip the paint? It looks like to that the brown gelcoat wants to come off too.

Please take a look at the pic and let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...h/DSC01235.jpg

 

I am, by no stretch of imagination, any kind of expert on paint, but it looks like from the picture, there is a layer of bondo over the bare 'glass. Then brown primer, then yellow primer,then the color.

Someone may have put a thin layer of bondo over it to smooth it out. That would be a shortcut to doing it right, but it does happen.

If the paint is popping off as you say, the surface was not clean when they applied paint. And that goes for bondo and primer too.

Just my opinion, someone with more knowledge that I will have more input. And If I'm wrong, I'll offer an apology now.

 

Man that looks like you have alot of stuff under your paint.
Is any of that bondo?
I think that if it were me I would first remove all the flaking stuff and then re-evaluate.
Then send more pics and we will come up with an answer.
I see we're neighbors!!!

 

If the paint is popping off as you say, the surface was not clean when they applied paint. And that goes for bondo and primer too.

Just my opinion, someone with more knowledge that I will have more input. And If I'm wrong, I'll offer an apology now.

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, I had the same problem when I had my '78 painted, bubbling of paint and all...The guys who painted it said that it wasn't prepped and cleaned correctly. When they had finished the prep work, they let it sit for a few days before thet shot any primer so whatever chemicals could escape and not come through the new paint in the future.

 

Your going to have to strip that all the way down and start over. Also it looke like your going to have ro redo the Bonding strip seam. Be sure and use products that match the panel material, there are specific products for Glass and SMC

 

Should I buy some Spa-Stripper and take the Red, Yellow & Brown layers off with a razor blade?

Also, would it help if I pulled the front clip off (since it is already separating from the firewall) as well as the doors, front & rear bumpers? I guess I'm also wondering if it easier & less expensive to send out for paint while everything is apart.

 

You may can take a high pressure washer, it will blow all that crap right off, most of the time. Careful not to get to close with hihg pressure. Careful with strippers. Soda blast=best method. About $500 local shop.

Painting a vette takes lots of time. About a month, after it's totally preped. That's why a good paint job will cost you $ 7000.00. If your doing it yourself, let me know, be happy to help you through. No big deal, just alot of time.

When your ready to shoot the paint, your paint job is 95% complete.

Best

tt

 

There is no factory gelcoat on C3 fiberglass. If you are finding gelcoat, it has been applied by a previous owner.

My advice would be to purchase any of the various How To Paint Your Corvette reference works and read through them. These books will answer most of your basic questions.

 

If you are seeing paint problems of any kind, remove it all!!! CHEMICAL STRIP....find a stripper that works for you and plan on about 6 gallons. Try to stay away from the razor blade, digs in too much. Apply the stripper and let it work, most people will want to hurry that. Use a putty knife, preferably an older one that has a little bit of a rounded edge on it (new ones from the package have the edge cut square, the square edge will dig in...) Let the stripper do the work, scrape off what the stripper will give you then paint on some more stripper. Use masking tape to cover the gaps, hood to surround/door to fender, etc and keep the stripper from getting into the hard to reach places while you are doing the heavy removal. Chemical stripper will also "soften" body filler (you will want to redo any of that anyway) as well as the bonding resin for the panels. I have found that multiple layers can be removed rather quickly by working small areas and covering the stripper with plastic, something like saran wrap (really!!) it will keep the solvent from evaporating and the stripper works longer (and better) My 72 had 7 paint jobs on it...along with various spot repairs.....Good luck, wear protection (NOT a trojan) eyes, skin, arms, etc....mask if in small area, that stuff will make you sick, AND NO FLAMES...

 

Not sure what each color is, but on my 78 the fiberglass is grey, the primer is red. I am using a razor to strip the original paint.

If the front clip is separating you will need to fix this, but it does not necessarily have to come off. You will be able to access more areas to strip and paint, but it will be a lot of work to put it back on.

You will have to pull the front and rear bumpers off for painting. If you are using chemical stripper, make sure it is compatible if your bumpers are urethane.

Your car must be completely stripped. The method of stripping is your choice; Cap'n Lees chemical stripper, soda blasting, razor blade all have their pro's and cons. In the end they have all been done successfully if done correctly.

 

Thanks!