My 71' Big block "Restoration"..(lots of pics)

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09-16-2018, 12:14 PM

#21

20mercury

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Looks GREAT!

Like the LeMans Blue! One of my favorite colors!

Question please: what brands, epoxy, primer and bb/cc?

(Used to live in El Lago in the seventies, wow, this place has grown!)

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09-16-2018, 12:33 PM

#22

C3 Stroker

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Looking good!! That blue is one of my favorite colors.

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ajrothm (09-16-2018)

09-16-2018, 01:44 PM

#23

ajrothm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 20mercury

Looks GREAT!

Like the LeMans Blue! One of my favorite colors!

Question please: what brands, epoxy, primer and bb/cc?

(Used to live in El Lago in the seventies, wow, this place has grown!)

I can ask the painter next week. I don't have any idea about the brands etc... Pretty sure its PPG though as he got it from the PPG store locally. I do know its a water based paint, I know it takes 7 toners (colors) to make 1969 Lemans blue, 4 coats of base, 5 coats of clear, one coat of clear will get cut/buffed off.....and I know the paint/liquid materials was $4800... That is the extent of my knowledge on the paint. Honestly, I just go by the Paint & Body shop every other Friday, take pics and cut them a check...other then that, I leave them alone and they take care of business.

This paint shop is called Creative Classics & Customs, they are in Dickinson Tx. (right next to Kemah), so pretty close to El Lago, maybe 10 mins from there.

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20mercury (09-16-2018)

09-16-2018, 02:02 PM

#24

540 vette

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Quote:

Originally Posted by zwede

Yeah, body seams. Factory seam filler must be completely removed and replaced with new stuff or it will show through the paint.

I had a 77 that I didn't do that to. Just blocked and filled as needed. Never showed thru and the car was perfect for as long as I had it. The paint was at least 5 years old.

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Zealot (09-16-2018)

09-17-2018, 06:20 AM

#25

midigike

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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified

C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

AJ
Great Thread
Enjoy looking at all the pictures. Body and paint look perfect, great color choice, but I disagree with the ten footer before, it was a nice ride.
We cannot wait here to see assembly and motor pictures
good luck with the resto and thanks for sharing your talents and Vette with us!

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ajrothm (09-17-2018)

09-17-2018, 09:59 AM

#26

ZRXGreen

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Thank you for sharing. When did the restoration begin?

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ajrothm (09-17-2018)

09-17-2018, 10:04 AM

#27

ajrothm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by midigike

The body was pretty slick and shiny, but the paint was 32 years old and has had bubbles popping up on the rear deck for the last 12-13 years... It looked decent every where else so I just lived with it. Finally, I saved up enough money to redo it all.

This is when we started peeling the bubbles off with a razor.... The original Brands Hatch green was apparently "reactivated" and tacky/sticky when we cut the repaints off. You can see the original paint in the last pic.

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09-17-2018, 10:11 AM

#28

ajrothm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ZRXGreen

Thank you for sharing. When did the restoration begin?

It officially started on May 21st, 2018, that's when I started to pull the motor, I drove it up to the engine builder in Colorado Springs on June 9th, then the car went to the Paint and Body shop on June 27th.

I'm hoping to get the car back from Paint in mid October....and then REALLY hoping the engine will be done by the end of October. I could realistically see having the car on the road by mid November...Just in time for our nice, cool weather down here.

Last edited by ajrothm; 09-17-2018 at 10:13 AM.

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09-17-2018, 12:45 PM

#29

v2racing

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It's going to look awesome! I love Lemans blue. I'm sure it's going to run as good as it looks.

Mike

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ajrothm (09-17-2018)

09-17-2018, 12:48 PM

#30

BKbroiler

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You should win a prize for the most super interesting threads posted by any individual on this forum. Keep up the good work. Good luck with the project.

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ajrothm (09-17-2018)

09-17-2018, 05:21 PM

#31

C3 Stroker

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You are now officially in "body shop jail".

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09-17-2018, 08:08 PM

#32

ajrothm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BKbroiler

You should win a prize for the most super interesting threads posted by any individual on this forum. Keep up the good work. Good luck with the project.

Thanks Bruce, I always try....

I like good threads with pics and real data/info.... so I try to contribute when I can.

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09-17-2018, 08:13 PM

#33

ajrothm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by C3 Stroker

You are now officially in "body shop jail".

HAHA Ken! Not really man. The body shop quoted me 12-13 weeks from the very beginning, and we started our 13th week today, so they are pretty much right on schedule. The car will be cut and buffed by the end of the week and reassembly starts next week.

I’m actually held up on the chrome shop anyway.. They are still about 2 weeks out on finishing all of the chrome and stainless work.

I leave for Cancun on the 26th and will be gone for a week so...hopefully when I get back, all of the parts will be ready to go.

The engine on the other hand, is taking forever.

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09-17-2018, 08:43 PM

#34

Willforce71

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ajrothm

Headed to paint !

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09-20-2018, 09:00 PM

#35

ajrothm

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Cutting and buffing is done. Reassembly starts next week.

Still waiting on chrome and stainless to come back but......The car is coming along well. Paint is FLAWLESS...

I can't wait to get it out in the sunlight and see how the paint pops with the sun hitting that metallic and pearl.

Last edited by ajrothm; 09-20-2018 at 09:03 PM.

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ddawson (09-21-2018)