69 Paint Question?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 696
Likes: 193
From: USA
69 Paint Question?
Well, I've been working on the 69 for quite some time now and it got me thinking about paint. I'm doing the major body work including paint stripping and glass repair. I've learend alot here about the proper materials to use and want to say thanks!
My question is about the actual car sitting in the paint booth in my mind the car is in several pieces to be painted..
This is a 69 coupe. I have the doors off, the headlights out, the side windows and tracks out, every piece of chrome, rear valance, hood, t- tops out, etc..Because i want to make sure every crack is painted.. But am i setting myself up for alot of trouble trying to re-align doors, hood and headlights without scratching my new paint job?
My question is about the actual car sitting in the paint booth in my mind the car is in several pieces to be painted..
This is a 69 coupe. I have the doors off, the headlights out, the side windows and tracks out, every piece of chrome, rear valance, hood, t- tops out, etc..Because i want to make sure every crack is painted.. But am i setting myself up for alot of trouble trying to re-align doors, hood and headlights without scratching my new paint job?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Personally, I get nervous around new paint.
Doors, headlight doors, hood, and rear valance were on the car at the time it was painted at the factory. T-tops were with the car but not actually installed. Fuel door and headlight bezels were painted separately and "caught up" with the car at the stations were those items were installed.
I agree with MelWff; put most of it together before you paint it.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 1, 2012 at 04:12 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
I think done while on woul dbe the best also. I may be wrong but it seems that the some painting will be necessary before putting them on the car also. Such as the door jambs, edges of the hood, lights, doors and even the ledge the hood sits on.
It just doesnt seem possible to get all the edges properly without doing a 2 step process of painting some, assembly then finish painting. I may be wrong I am not a painter but am in the same boat right now, about to shoot the K36.
It just doesnt seem possible to get all the edges properly without doing a 2 step process of painting some, assembly then finish painting. I may be wrong I am not a painter but am in the same boat right now, about to shoot the K36.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Mine went from this:
to this:
with no major problems. It was done in a professional shop with lots of help when more than two hands were needed.
to this:
with no major problems. It was done in a professional shop with lots of help when more than two hands were needed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
It somewhat depends on the color. If you are painting it with metallic you will want the doors and hood and headlight doors on for the final coats to make sure the color lays evenly.
When I painted mine I did the doors and hood off then assembled then block sanded came back and shot the car as a whole again.
When I painted mine I did the doors and hood off then assembled then block sanded came back and shot the car as a whole again.
Last edited by Roco71; Oct 1, 2012 at 09:36 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
^ thats what I did. It takes a lot of taping so you dont overspray the jambs and hood channel again.
I pulled mine all apart just like you did. The doors SUCK trying to get them back on, don't let anybody tell you different. Its a two person job and you can eat up an afternoon trying to get it perfect. The hood would be an equal nail biter if you had a free hand but it will take two people also. They sell a quick release hood hinge kit that you can set before you paint it and makes the install much easier when you have a fresh paint job.
You gotta take it apart to do stuff like this
I used pipe insulator foam to protect the door edges
I pulled mine all apart just like you did. The doors SUCK trying to get them back on, don't let anybody tell you different. Its a two person job and you can eat up an afternoon trying to get it perfect. The hood would be an equal nail biter if you had a free hand but it will take two people also. They sell a quick release hood hinge kit that you can set before you paint it and makes the install much easier when you have a fresh paint job.
You gotta take it apart to do stuff like this
I used pipe insulator foam to protect the door edges
Last edited by johnt365; Oct 1, 2012 at 09:47 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,211
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I think done while on woul dbe the best also.
It just doesnt seem possible to get all the edges properly without doing a 2 step process of painting some, assembly then finish painting. I may be wrong I am not a painter but am in the same boat right now, about to shoot the K36.
It just doesnt seem possible to get all the edges properly without doing a 2 step process of painting some, assembly then finish painting. I may be wrong I am not a painter but am in the same boat right now, about to shoot the K36.
My '69 went in this direction:
My guy insisted that doors, hood, valance, decklids are off for paint. I haven't found a reason to disagree with him yet.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 696
Likes: 193
From: USA
Wonderful pictures! Thanks for all the opinions. Unfortunately you guys made it even harder for me. Looks like its doable either way. Question about the red paint job with the headlights out. Do the assemblies go back in through the rear/ hood area? Curious if they fit. Also no one addressed the rear vents, the front wiper vent and door areas. Seems they need to be removed to be painted properly. I need to be able to "see" small imperfections while I'm doing the body work but I don't want to spray any primer because I'm not a painter ! Also I don't want to put anything on the final coat won't stick to. Any suggestions as to what I can do ?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C69,
Your latest question....
I think most painters who are responsible, and are going to be held responsible for the paint job, have their own preferences for ALL the materials used on the body.
Do you have any idea who is going to paint your car? It would be good to know what HE wants you to use.
I did some of the body work on my car, but the painter wanted it done at his location and with his materials.
I realize all painters don't want customers working at their shop but I think the question of material choice/co-ordination is still valid.
Regards,
Alan
Your latest question....
I think most painters who are responsible, and are going to be held responsible for the paint job, have their own preferences for ALL the materials used on the body.
Do you have any idea who is going to paint your car? It would be good to know what HE wants you to use.
I did some of the body work on my car, but the painter wanted it done at his location and with his materials.
I realize all painters don't want customers working at their shop but I think the question of material choice/co-ordination is still valid.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
It somewhat depends on the color. If you are painting it with metallic you will want the doors and hood and headlight doors on for the final coats to make sure the color lays evenly.
When I painted mine I did the doors and hood off then assembled then block sanded came back and shot the car as a whole again.
When I painted mine I did the doors and hood off then assembled then block sanded came back and shot the car as a whole again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 696
Likes: 193
From: USA
Thank again. Do any of you think it would be possible for me to paint the car myself? A little background I have painted just about everything you can imagine with airbrushed and rattle cans. From guns to models to houses!
I currently have visions in my mind of buying a good paint gun, I have a 90 psi compressor. I'm assuming I need some kind of filter inline for water vapors not to get to the gun. Some kind if climate controlled area to paint. Any suggestions on how I could do this would be taken to heart.
And most important I have plenty of pictures but haven't figured out how to post them especially from my iPhone.
Thanks for your help and I will try to post pics
I currently have visions in my mind of buying a good paint gun, I have a 90 psi compressor. I'm assuming I need some kind of filter inline for water vapors not to get to the gun. Some kind if climate controlled area to paint. Any suggestions on how I could do this would be taken to heart.
And most important I have plenty of pictures but haven't figured out how to post them especially from my iPhone.
Thanks for your help and I will try to post pics