Newbie needs help with paint/body work
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Newbie needs help with paint/body work
Hello, i recently picked up a 75 numbers matching, L-48 with 86,000 original miles. the body is in rough shape and needs repairs, sanded and repainted. It is my understanding these cars aren't worth very much and cant spend $5,000 plus on a paint job if the investment wont be worth it. i don't mind putting time into this vehicle and plan to do the body work myself but i am a nervous about the paint. has anyone used the paint kits they sell at Summit racing or something equivalent? they seem to range in the 250.00-350.00. i'm not looking for a show quality finish but i don't want to kill myself on the body just to botch a paint job. any input on paint types, painting tips, really i'm a newbie so any input at all would be very helpful and appreciated.
~Corey
~Corey
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
there is a whole forum on it located here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/paint-body-138/
start reading and best of luck to ya!
Dub is the guy to talk to for sure.
Sully
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/paint-body-138/
start reading and best of luck to ya!
Dub is the guy to talk to for sure.
Sully
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
there is a whole forum on it located here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/paint-body-138/
start reading and best of luck to ya!
Dub is the guy to talk to for sure.
Sully
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/paint-body-138/
start reading and best of luck to ya!
Dub is the guy to talk to for sure.
Sully
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
im finishing up on a repaint of my 72 and it really is a chore. But you learn a lot about fiberglass work along the way and it can be done. Paint, primer and sealer should all be from the same manufacturer or at least confirmed that they will work together. Not all can be intermingled! If I were you I'd check amazon for some books on fiberglass repair. Strip the body, fix the cracks, primer and block it all out and then you can simply use a single stage that could be buffed out nicely. That would probably be the cheapest way to go with you doing the elbow work and getting a decent driver quality paint job. The quality is all in the prep work though. No doubt.
Sully
Sully
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Douglas Georgia
St. Jude Donor '12
Call Barry at Southern Polyurethanes in Ga. He will become your best friend and mentor. They sell quality primers and clear coat along with walking you thru the whole process. I must have called him at least 25 times and every time he was patient and helpful. Working with fiberglass is very much different from steel bodied cars and you can cost yourself money and heartbreak if you do it wrong.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,701
Likes: 836
From: WI
You are at the very beginning of a long journey. If you were at the starting line heading towards 100 mph, you'd be at 5mph right now. You have a lot to learn. The more you learn and know, and start slow, the better the final product will look. Fortunately, there are a lot of good resources out there waiting for you. Take your time to learn BEFORE you make mistakes.
Secondly, get ready for paint expenses that far eclipse what you've been seeing thus far.
Good luck!
Secondly, get ready for paint expenses that far eclipse what you've been seeing thus far.
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Bodywork and paint prep you could do. You may want to consider letting a pro put on the color coats. The paints available these days are much more advanced than the old solvent based lacquer a lot of us learned to paint with.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Douglas Georgia
St. Jude Donor '12
Mike is experienced and a wise guy. That is exactly what I did, all the stripping and priming is an enormous task but one you can do. Mine is now at the shop for final paint. One thing that happened to me and others I have seen here, I sanded all the paint off, primed it with epoxy, sanded, primed it again, blocked it, primed again, and blocked for the second time. The first thing my painter did was grab a sanding block. He has to warrant the final product so he is doing it his way.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,303
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Corey,
You've gotten some good advice already!
I'll only add that the bodywork and preparation for painting is a LOT of work.
I believe once you begin to see that you'll realize that cutting back on the cost of the primer, sealer, and top coat, you select, may not be a very good thing to do.
I think you want to use the best products you can for your situation.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
You've gotten some good advice already!
I'll only add that the bodywork and preparation for painting is a LOT of work.
I believe once you begin to see that you'll realize that cutting back on the cost of the primer, sealer, and top coat, you select, may not be a very good thing to do.
I think you want to use the best products you can for your situation.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
Mike is experienced and a wise guy. That is exactly what I did, all the stripping and priming is an enormous task but one you can do. Mine is now at the shop for final paint. One thing that happened to me and others I have seen here, I sanded all the paint off, primed it with epoxy, sanded, primed it again, blocked it, primed again, and blocked for the second time. The first thing my painter did was grab a sanding block. He has to warrant the final product so he is doing it his way.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Douglas Georgia
St. Jude Donor '12
Big Daddy's Body Shop in Valdosta Ga came highly recommended by the paint supplier. Have seen a couple of mustangs that they did and looked better than new. They take their time but I would rather have a quality job at a much lower price than I have seen quoted here than a poor quickie. Owners name is Derrick.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Mike is experienced and a wise guy. That is exactly what I did, all the stripping and priming is an enormous task but one you can do. Mine is now at the shop for final paint. One thing that happened to me and others I have seen here, I sanded all the paint off, primed it with epoxy, sanded, primed it again, blocked it, primed again, and blocked for the second time. The first thing my painter did was grab a sanding block. He has to warrant the final product so he is doing it his way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Mike is experienced and a wise guy. That is exactly what I did, all the stripping and priming is an enormous task but one you can do. Mine is now at the shop for final paint. One thing that happened to me and others I have seen here, I sanded all the paint off, primed it with epoxy, sanded, primed it again, blocked it, primed again, and blocked for the second time. The first thing my painter did was grab a sanding block. He has to warrant the final product so he is doing it his way.