Paint question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 97
Likes: 4
From: Chicago
Paint question
I have a 69 with original paint. Recently had a short in my w/w motor and the plastic cover was in flames and I had heavy black smoke from the plastic settle on the top of my front fenders before I could put out the flames. I now have small plastic smoke related residue on the paint that I can’t get off. Feels very rough, like sandpaper. Tried a few things, but afraid to ruin the paint. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,053
Likes: 98
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
i know this will sound stupid, but have you tried baby oil? as strange as it seems, baby oil seems to work on a variety of paint surface related issues and it doesn't harm the actual paint finish. another thing that might work without damaging the paint itself is WD40. just a couple of off beat suggestions that most people don't try that do work.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,340
Likes: 1,566
From: los altos hills california
These were all good suggestions to avoid anything that might dissolve your underlying paint. So far as I know, original 69 paint was lacquer and there are solvents which will dissolve it. Any liquid you try should be in another area that won't be noticed.
As to what happened with your fire, it sounds like the plastic burning turned into an aerosol that physically adhered to rather than settled onto your paint. Tough call on that. One would hope there was a residual layer of wax.
You should know that under General Corvette Topics, there is a Paint/Body forum with more experts for your situation. Worth posting there.
As to what happened with your fire, it sounds like the plastic burning turned into an aerosol that physically adhered to rather than settled onto your paint. Tough call on that. One would hope there was a residual layer of wax.
You should know that under General Corvette Topics, there is a Paint/Body forum with more experts for your situation. Worth posting there.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 829
From: WI
How about a [clear] picture?
Best thing would be to find a shop which does custom paint jobs on like street rods and other non-production paint work. I'm sure they'd be able to coach you what can be done. But let's see a picture of the wounded area.
Best thing would be to find a shop which does custom paint jobs on like street rods and other non-production paint work. I'm sure they'd be able to coach you what can be done. But let's see a picture of the wounded area.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 97
Likes: 4
From: Chicago
Paint Question
Thanks to all for your suggestions. First, photos don’t really show residue. It feels like fine sandpaper on the paint, but doesn’t show up in pictures very well. Tried mineral oil, cleaner wax, wd40 and adhesive remover so far with no improvement. Funny, I seem to be able to scratch it off with my thumbnail, but can’t do that for an entire fender. I think the clay bar might work, or maybe consult a paint shop as was suggested. I’ll figure it out at some point, just a lot of trial and error until I hit on the correct solution. Nothings ever easy!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 97
Likes: 4
From: Chicago
Paint Question
After a lot of trial and error, and based on suggestions received, I found I could remove the smoke/plastic residue by lightly scraping the fender with my wife’s plastic dish scraper of all things. As was suggested by an earlier poster, it appears the residue didn’t bond to the paint, even tho I could not get it off with any type of cleaner wax, rubbing compound, etc. After lightly scraping the crud off, I polished it up and good as new (as new as 55 year old paint can get haha). Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, that helped me eventually get this figured out.
