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

Paint & bodywork update

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:05 AM
  #1  
ButchN's Avatar
ButchN
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 23
From: MA
Default Paint & bodywork update

Hi all, been absent a while, no net access, just got restored last night.

My 82 is in my pals shop & I wanted opinion on paint color.
We found the paint code & when I saw the chip, I didn't like how dark the original red was so we pulled out the book with the paint codes from the mid 90's & I told my pal I'm leaning toward the Vette Torch red I had him paint my 93 TA with a couple of years ago.

I know it's my car & I can do as I want, but I figured I'd post pics of the paint chips & get the masses opinion, original Vette red, Spectra Red, kinda dark IMO, or mid 90's Vette red Torch Red, a bit brighter, & looking more 'red'.
Also, pics of the progress so far. He's had to do allot of work as the car was poorly prepped & repainted over the original lacquer paint many years ago. The primer spots you see is where he's making the car look smooth so when the new paint is on it's not so wavy looking.

Also, those little tabs you see where the tail light screws go into, where can I get them & what are they called?
I have a few that are not tightly pressed in & 2 of my lights wobbled when the were mounted.

Original Spectra Red chip:


Torch Red chip:


Side by side comparison:


Body work update:
The locks, headlamp doors, T's, old weatherstripping & anythind else I can think of will be removed by the time it's ready for paint which will be late next week.
We are alo repainting the doorjams, t's jams & under hood jams as well.

Side question, the parking lamp louvers & the side vents, should they be flat black, or a semi gloss? Mine are in sad shape color wise after 29 yrs.






Reply
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 07:17 AM
  #2  
929nitro's Avatar
929nitro
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
Default

I'm a fan of torch red myself. Should look nice no matter which one you choose. Keep us posted.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 07:42 AM
  #3  
1nicecorvette's Avatar
1nicecorvette
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Canastota Ny
Default

thats exactly what i have been pondering to do. get the car painted!! although the paint on mine isnt BAD ive been itching to want to sand it down and redo it for some resaon! Maybe cause im out of while im there projects (knock on wood) but Then i would never drive it in fear of ruining the paint work! so im on the fence with this decsion. keep the progress shots coming!
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 07:57 AM
  #4  
stingr4y's Avatar
stingr4y
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Default

It's funny how paint choice can stress a guy. I'm the same way.

The torch looks great.

Is the interior oyster?

I think the louvers are semi-gloss.

Also, go ahead and commit to that first rock chip, all will be well after that.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 08:18 AM
  #5  
indydoug's Avatar
indydoug
Racer
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
From: Indianapolis
Default

I also like the Torch Red. It looks great in the fluorescent lighting, but I would recommend you check out the paint chips in some bright sunlight, where you will be enjoying your ride most of the time. My '80 (factory yellow) looks a little too pale to me indoors, but is just the right shade in the sun.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 09:06 PM
  #6  
markids77's Avatar
markids77
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Default

Check out a few "Non-GM" reds as well... I'm a fan of Porsche Guards Red; also Dodge painted the Viper in a really nice shade... I think it was called Viper Red. BTW, I see a lot of "cut throughs" and a bit of Vette Panel Adhesive patchwork on your car. If you want it to be smooth and straight I would prime and block the entire body before you paint it... you're much more likely to get straight panels with an overall primer base and a guide coat while blocking vs spot priming. It's well worth the added effort and expense.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 09:46 PM
  #7  
speedreed8's Avatar
speedreed8
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
Default

i vote torch red, those are plastic taillight mount anchors.

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&

http://www.zip-corvette.com/_Resourc...2c25_135-a.gif
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 09:51 PM
  #8  
FireFighterVette's Avatar
FireFighterVette
Advanced
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 8
Default

my $0.02

I love that original red, but then again I'm a fan of keeping it stock.

With that being said, that torch red is a great color and if that's what makes you happy, do it!
Good luck and keep us updated with pics!!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jun 4, 2011 | 09:19 AM
  #9  
69 Chevy's Avatar
69 Chevy
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Default

I'm trying to figure out why all the trim has been removed except the door locks???
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2011 | 11:24 AM
  #10  
milo30's Avatar
milo30
Drifting
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Default

Can never go wrong with torch red. It's a beautiful color on a vette.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2011 | 03:12 PM
  #11  
ButchN's Avatar
ButchN
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 23
From: MA
Default

Thanks guys. Torch being mixed today for the small parts to make sure it's what I like & isn't too dark, or to 'orangy'.
Markids, it's not close to paint yet & not only does my pal prime, he uses sealer as well so nothing comes from behind to react with the paint.
69 chevy, again, not close for paint, & I've been having a hell of a time trying to get the clips out.
Don't fret, they will be removed! I dislike tape lines!
Speedreed, thanks for letting me know what the tail light anchors are & where to get them.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2011 | 11:11 PM
  #12  
ButchN's Avatar
ButchN
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 23
From: MA
Default

Here's a paint update.

While at my PT job at Lowe's today (which I took 2.5 months ago to finance this project from paint to new weather-stripping & everything else I need so not a dime goes on my credit card) my pal emails me and asks if I'm positive I want Torch red. I tell him yes & he mixes up a small batch & shoots the small parts so I can see if I like it. He uses Sikkens paint & has a mixing machine & with the PC program Sikkens supplied with the mixing system. The paint is mixed perfect every time as it's done by weights of the tints being mixed.

I didn't have my G11 with me so the below pics are from my iphone 4 so the quality isn't that great.

I do believe the car is gonna look pretty sharp when done.
I will have it at Carlisle this August for those who attend.








Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 09:35 AM
  #13  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Default

Well, you're going to be sought after for the "Fireman's Parade"! Actually, that is going to be a really sharp, RED car.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 12:00 PM
  #14  
Roco71's Avatar
Roco71
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Default

Yea, now thats red! I like it.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 12:59 PM
  #15  
C5SCCA's Avatar
C5SCCA
Pro
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 607
Likes: 29
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
Default

I had already decided on Torch red for mine....you just solidified that thought!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Paint & bodywork update





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:12 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE