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I’m in the process of putting my 73 Coupe back together after I stripped the car, pulled the body and had the body and paint completed.
I cleaned up the inside of the wiper bay and noticed that the drivers side needs some attention to make it look nicer.
I would like to fill in the depressions and smooth it out before I paint it.
What would you pros recommend to clean this area up?
The passenger side is nice, smooth and like it came from the factory which is good enough to be painted as it is.
Thanks in advance,
Greg
Hey OCB…I like this guy. He is very detailed. He has other good detail vids (see his hood latch vid). Careful with that beautiful new paint job you got!!!
I used a combination of metal and plastic scrappers and knocked all the factory crud off. I filled in any really bad divots or scratches.Then used a bed liner spray paint to coat everything. It seals it well, and adds a decent texture to hide any imperfections. While everything was out, cleaned up the wiper hardware, nuts and bolts. After 5 years is still holding up really well, and I do drive it in the rain every now and then with now leak issues.
I used a combination of metal and plastic scrappers and knocked all the factory crud off. I filled in any really bad divots or scratches.Then used a bed liner spray paint to coat everything. It seals it well, and adds a decent texture to hide any imperfections. While everything was out, cleaned up the wiper hardware, nuts and bolts. After 5 years is still holding up really well, and I do drive it in the rain every now and then with now leak issues.
Looks great.
What product did you use to fill in the bad divots, pits and scratch’s?
Looks real nice Kev73 and sphil. Anyone who has closely looked in that area will know how much oozed, excessive, crusty, cracked old sealant and seam sealer you guys had to remove to get them to look so nice.
I cleaned mine up though not to the extent that 76 vette did, but still took a bit of time:
Notice above the wiper actuator the factory didn’t make the effort to trim the material each side of the extended portion. 76vette did trim his and it looks good, I might do that one day when I have nothing left to work on. Which means it will never get done😂
I see/know what you mean. I’m a bit OCD (Not to be confused with OCB) so I have already began trimming some of that stuff. Using a dremel, with various attachments, as well as a carpenters knife (razor knife). I will be following up with a rasp as ‘76 did. I also used the razor knife to trim some of the windshield sealant that was oozed out during install. I’ll be using a combo of finger smoothed sealant around edges, as well as light body filler, to smooth everything. Once a sealer is applied, I’ll use high build primer. Once sanded, regular primer, then truck bed liner. A lot of work, but that’s the OCD. Also intend to fab close outs on each side for a custom look that keeps debris out, but still allows air flow.
Make it as "purty" as you want. Just don't block the drainage areas on either side of the wiper well. I will also recommend that you use a good 'seam sealer' or butyl rubber caulk, if you are going to clean-up/re-do the areas sealed at the factory. Silicone caulk doesn't cut it for very long in that environment (maybe a few years before it needs to be redone).
I had some random body filler with fiberglass that I used on the two bad divots. Then just some generic body putty for the deep pits and scratches. I wasn't too concerned about getting it that nice since it's the wiper bay. The bed liner hides most of the crimes and imperfections
Thanks everyone!
I just ordered some SEM trim black paint which is what Chris used to paint the engine bay and firewall.
Its a smooth finish but I wanted to match the finishes of the firewall and wiper bay.
I also ordered a quart of Evercoat Everglass which should help seal and fill in the depressions, pits and imperfections from the factory.
I also ordered a quart of POR15 for the windshield frame.
Since we're all taking about wiper bay clean up I have a question. Once I remove the nuts that secure the wiper arm mounts to the header, will the bolts stay in place or fall through? Just another thing to put on my to do list.
It’s been so long since I took mine apart I don’t remember.
I can tell you there are no bolts coming through from the dash side.
I would have to go back and look at the AIM to see how things will go back together.
I used a combination of metal and plastic scrappers and knocked all the factory crud off. I filled in any really bad divots or scratches.Then used a bed liner spray paint to coat everything. It seals it well, and adds a decent texture to hide any imperfections. While everything was out, cleaned up the wiper hardware, nuts and bolts. After 5 years is still holding up really well, and I do drive it in the rain every now and then with now leak issues.
Sunshine!
We need to get you, Lou68 (at one time, Loupy-LOL), and I together for lunch. You can show off that wiper tray. Lou's got the 68, I the 78. I'm process of siphoning out old gas...running rough. We are all here at the beach.
I have to say its discussions and contributions like this that are a real inspiration to get out and do some refurb work!
This one is on my C3 bucket list!
Since we're all taking about wiper bay clean up I have a question. Once I remove the nuts that secure the wiper arm mounts to the header, will the bolts stay in place or fall through? Just another thing to put on my to do list.
At least on my '71, they are studs. Most likely tacked on or press fit into the plate. So no, they will not fall through. I could imagine a well stuck nut spinning it if not, then there would be no way to remove it without removing the whole plate.
Last edited by litevette; Jul 3, 2025 at 04:57 PM.
Since we're all taking about wiper bay clean up I have a question. Once I remove the nuts that secure the wiper arm mounts to the header, will the bolts stay in place or fall through? Just another thing to put on my to do list.
I learned after opening my first qt can that IF you do open the lid you MUST remove ANY and I mean ANY product left in the gutter...
If there is just a small amount left in the gutter and you reinstall the lid just letting it sit overnight you will destroy the can trying to get the lid off...That's how well it bonds...
I tip the can on the side a little and drill a 3/16" hole just above the product level, then I pour the product into a dixie cup or any disposable cup...
Seal the hole up with your choice of masking tape, I use 2 layers...
Wiper bay cleanup
