C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Body Restoration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 08:48 PM
  #1  
willem wallace's Avatar
willem wallace
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 4
From: whitman massachusetts
Default Body Restoration

Will be dropping motor and transmission into a beautifully restored frame in the next couple weeks. Time for me to start thinking about the body restoration that lies ahead. As with the chassis restoration, I have no fiberglass/Corvette bodywork experience. Was hoping I might get some good source recommendations for a rookie at this type of project. Any info is appreciated!
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 09:07 PM
  #2  
Mad Vette's Avatar
Mad Vette
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 1
From: Madison Wisconsin
Default

If you have repair issues I recommend this book.



If its just a matter of of stripping and refinishing look to the search function and the body and paint tread because a lot of things have been covered before.

Whats your skill level and what are you trying to acomplish?
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 10:20 PM
  #3  
69Vett's Avatar
69Vett
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

I assume your going to strip and paint, first desicion is which method to strip the car ?
Razor blade?, Chemical strip?, or media/soda ?
many different opinions, but I chose the Razor blade method.
take digital pictures as you dissassemble the car, makes it easy on assemble time.
69VETT

Last edited by 69Vett; Aug 5, 2009 at 10:57 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 12:19 AM
  #4  
glassman74's Avatar
glassman74
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by 69Vett
I assume your going to strip and paint, first desicion is which method to strip the car ?
Razor blade?, Chemical strip?, or media/soda ?
many different opinions, but I chose the Razor blade method.
take digital pictures as you dissassemble the car, makes it easy on assemble time.
69VETT
Just take your time. I to went with the razor blade method
on my 74. Plus the pic give you back-up of what has been done to
your car if you sell it. glassman74
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 09:44 AM
  #5  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by Mad Vette
...If you have repair issues I recommend this book.
...

I like the Glas-Ra series. http://www.glas-ra.com/v3_4.html

There are several automotive paint and bodywork how-to books. My advice would be to buy a couple or three and read how others have done it.


Prepping and painting fiberglass isn't much different from doing the work on a metal body.

Good luck.

Reply
Old Aug 6, 2009 | 04:02 PM
  #6  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,248
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi WW,
I agree with the good suggestions so far. If you buy a few books you'll learn a lot. The pictures and descriptions will help you understand what you're seeing as you start working on the body.
Regards,
Alan
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Body Restoration





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:21 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE