Paint
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Paint
I went to my first ever corvette only show this weekend. Vettes i the Valley in Maggie Valley NC. I was honestly not expecting to see that many c5s and c6s. I was also hoping to see more c3s so that I could reference. I was the only 72 in the whole show! one 68, one 69, one 70, one 71, one 72(mine), and 1 73. I was floored. Any way my main thing is that all these cars had flashy custom paint or brand new paint. My car was bought by my dad in 1974. It has not been wrecked, painted or restored in any way other than I just finished the suspension and drivetrain. I still so new all I have ever heard is that the more original the more the value. The paint on my car is faded, crows footing, and the is some minor fiberglass damage to the driver door and rt fender. Should I paint this car or leave it and just buff it to at least have a good shine to it? I;m trying to compress the photos I have still. The show judge said that I was in the wrong show for what my car is. I do plan on keeping the vehicle and hope to pass it down as well.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Wow, that may be the silliest thing said all weekend, especially by a show representative. 
If you like it the way it is, don't change it. The sentimental value far outweighs a $5 trophy.
Is this your car?
If you like it the way it is, don't change it. The sentimental value far outweighs a $5 trophy.
Is this your car?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: Beaumont TX
I enjoy watching the auto auctions on TV. Some of those old unrestored cars with paint that is far from perfect but good for its age go for amazing amounts. Like the other guy said. They're only original once and some collectors look for that.
My "original" paint got too disgusting to impress anyone. It was just plain sad. We had never painted before but my employee and I did our homework, stripped and repainted it here in my shop. We replaced the weatherstripping and restored interior as well. It now falls in the "over-restored" category at least where paint is concerned. Looks like it was dipped in clear coat. This car has never looked this good in its 29 years. It was a very hard job but I have never enjoyed my car more in the 9 years I have owned it than I do now.
I have no idea what h$** the judge meant but I'd bet a lot of folks really enjoyed seeing your car. I know I would have. Be proud of your car and enjoy it!
My "original" paint got too disgusting to impress anyone. It was just plain sad. We had never painted before but my employee and I did our homework, stripped and repainted it here in my shop. We replaced the weatherstripping and restored interior as well. It now falls in the "over-restored" category at least where paint is concerned. Looks like it was dipped in clear coat. This car has never looked this good in its 29 years. It was a very hard job but I have never enjoyed my car more in the 9 years I have owned it than I do now.
I have no idea what h$** the judge meant but I'd bet a lot of folks really enjoyed seeing your car. I know I would have. Be proud of your car and enjoy it!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If the paint is decent (no significant areas of damage or really spotty worn areas, just take it to a good paint 'guy' (or gal) who can do a good 'cut-n-buff' and maybe just do some touch-up work on nicks, etc. A good pro can do wonders with an existing paint job...much better than we could ever do...and will tell you if it can't really be improved. Get 2 or 3 quotes for the work and choose who you think really knows what they are doing [regardless of cost]. You will keep the car in an unusually good state of originality and improve the looks of the paint to where you won't feel "out of place" in a regular car show. I think your car looks great! 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,174
From: Westminster Maryland
I agree with 7T1, it's really terrific to see a car with old original paint. I painted my 71 a few years ago that had never been painted because that's what I wanted. But you should have some knowledgeable people look at your paint with an eye to improving what you have.
Remember... the NCRS really appreciates cars with original paint!!!!
Regards,
Alan
Remember... the NCRS really appreciates cars with original paint!!!!
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
keep in mind almost anyone can be a judge at a show !
YOU decide when the paint is bad enough to prompt a repaint.
almost always painting a car is long and nasty ordeal.
and you are never satisfied with the results.
sort like a divorce !
either that or live with her !
YOU decide when the paint is bad enough to prompt a repaint.
almost always painting a car is long and nasty ordeal.
and you are never satisfied with the results.
sort like a divorce !
either that or live with her !
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Another thing to consider--
If you do a lot of work and spend a lot of money for a new paint job, are you going to drive the car as much as you do now? A fresh paint job will cause you to drive it less frequently, more carefully, and not enjoy driving it as much because of the "risk of damage". Just a thought....
If you do a lot of work and spend a lot of money for a new paint job, are you going to drive the car as much as you do now? A fresh paint job will cause you to drive it less frequently, more carefully, and not enjoy driving it as much because of the "risk of damage". Just a thought....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
If you have an air compressor, go to ebay and do a search on Mirka
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mirka-MR-625-6-N...3%3A1|294%3A50
this is the orbital sander for color sanding...not the same as your body orbital sander...buy the sander, and pick up some 500 1000 2000 4000 sanding pads...
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MIRKA-6-ABRA...3%3A1|294%3A50
Start with the 500, use lots of water, soak the pads in a bucket....make one or two passes until all the scratches are eliminated, then graduate to the finer grit pads...when you reach the 4000 your finish should be like a mirror, swirl free...then use 3m or McGuire rubbing compound for clear coat, use a foam pad on the polisher....that will give you a finish that will match any new paint...there are other steps after the polish, your paint supplier can give you direction what to use after polishing
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mirka-MR-625-6-N...3%3A1|294%3A50
this is the orbital sander for color sanding...not the same as your body orbital sander...buy the sander, and pick up some 500 1000 2000 4000 sanding pads...
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MIRKA-6-ABRA...3%3A1|294%3A50
Start with the 500, use lots of water, soak the pads in a bucket....make one or two passes until all the scratches are eliminated, then graduate to the finer grit pads...when you reach the 4000 your finish should be like a mirror, swirl free...then use 3m or McGuire rubbing compound for clear coat, use a foam pad on the polisher....that will give you a finish that will match any new paint...there are other steps after the polish, your paint supplier can give you direction what to use after polishing
Last edited by GDaina; May 27, 2009 at 09:55 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
did the judge say wrong show?,or wrong class? if he meant either and said it in a degrading way i would have popped one on his chin, put him on his *** and then told him welcome to your show.
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; May 28, 2009 at 12:36 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Yes, Trae that's mine. Don't get me wrong if the car were anything but a corvette it would get painted. Here's the background. My dad bought this car used in 1974. It's been his until he became real ill and he actual gave it to me 5 years ago so that when he passed on it wouldn't be tied up in probate court. He drove the car as a daily driver until my sister and myself were born. As always the car was then put on the back burner. I always wondered why he never fixed it up. Now 28 I beginning to see. Its has rock chips, the driver door has the worst damage from him backing up with the door open at some time in his life. I'm still so green to what the corvettes are I'm just wondering where to go with the car. Ihave changed minor things to the engine to get more performance out of it but nothing I can't swap in a weekend. Thanks for the support.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
You need to make a decision on what 'path' you are going to take for the car. The two options that I see are: 1) you just do minor clean-up and repair to the car to keep it as close to what Dad had [for sentimental reasons], drive it for enjoyment and take it to local/charity shows knowing that you probably aren't going to take any trophies; 2) you investigate the "Survivor" category in NCRS judging, learn what you can do and what you can't do to your car [to keep it within the rules], fix/clean-up/repair what you can and compete only in that classification. You can still take it to other car shows and 'advertise' your car as an NCRS "Survivor"...along with any awards you may win.
There may be other options, but those are the ones that come to mind. The main thing is to enjoy the car, remember "Dad", and don't pay any attention to what anyone else thinks about it. There are jealous fools and "losers" everywhere.
There may be other options, but those are the ones that come to mind. The main thing is to enjoy the car, remember "Dad", and don't pay any attention to what anyone else thinks about it. There are jealous fools and "losers" everywhere.
