Another Paint Poll
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Another Paint Poll
Hi All,
I recently painted my '82 CE.
I struggled on the decision at the beginning of the job as to whether or not I should remove the factory fiberglass wave or prep the surface to be totally flat and flawless.
I am curious as to what everyone's opinion is on this?
BTW, I don't show the car nor participate in NCRS events. I understand they actually deduct points for the lack of this wave.
Thanks for appeasing my curiousity as to whether or not I made the correct choice.
I recently painted my '82 CE.
I struggled on the decision at the beginning of the job as to whether or not I should remove the factory fiberglass wave or prep the surface to be totally flat and flawless.
I am curious as to what everyone's opinion is on this?
BTW, I don't show the car nor participate in NCRS events. I understand they actually deduct points for the lack of this wave.
Thanks for appeasing my curiousity as to whether or not I made the correct choice.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 543
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From: nyc ny
Re: Another Paint Poll (rhenning)
Well speaking as an x custom painter ,Most of my customers were not paying me to install the factory usually crappy paint job on there car. Blocking is paramount for that mirror finish and is by far more appealling to the eye. NCRS is a completely different world if it sucked from the factory then thats what they want to see. :cool: :cool: :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
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From: Sewell NJ
Re: Another Paint Poll (rhenning)
I went to great pains to get as flat a surface as i could when I painted my car. As you can see from the signature it's painted in black lacquer with a lacquer clear coat over it. When it's all polished up you can use it for a mirror (ask Mr. Mojo or Pats406nitrovette, they've both seen it). The NCRS folk have a place in the sport but it's not the only place. I admire their determination in keeping cars as completely factory original as possible but that's not for everyone. I enjoy making modifications to my car to improve what detroit did and to personalize it. If I had a 63 split window or a solid axel car or a 67 big block (also many others) I might think twice about it but my 74 is never going to enjoy the popularity of those cars. I think you should go where your enthusiasm takes you and follow your heart. That's what cars are all about. :yesnod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,210
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From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Father & Son St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Another Paint Poll (rhenning)
If your going to spend hundreds of hours stripping and sanding, I can't understand why you would want it any less than perfect. :confused:
After spending a year or lots of $$$ to prep a car, I think an owner would feel pretty unhappy inside everytime he heard a neighbor or other layman comment, "looks kind of wavy, I've seen paint jobs much better than this". And the owner could probably spend hours explaining originality and the NCRS concept but it would all be in vain.
Just mho . . .
[Modified by 74-Roadster, 11:18 AM 3/12/2002]
After spending a year or lots of $$$ to prep a car, I think an owner would feel pretty unhappy inside everytime he heard a neighbor or other layman comment, "looks kind of wavy, I've seen paint jobs much better than this". And the owner could probably spend hours explaining originality and the NCRS concept but it would all be in vain.
Just mho . . .
[Modified by 74-Roadster, 11:18 AM 3/12/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
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From: Canton GA
Re: Another Paint Poll (74-Roadster)
I agree with Vettefixer..............I went through a lot of beer, surfacer and guide coat....with my sanding blocks and still not perfect! I much prefer the straigt as possible over waves....just my $.02, but I'm not really hung up on numbers matching originallity (nothing against that if that's what you like)
VETTEFIXER I ADMIRE YOUR WORK, ESPECIALLY GOING WITH BLACK....YOU MUSH HAVE SANDED FOR COUNTLESS HOURS
VETTEFIXER I ADMIRE YOUR WORK, ESPECIALLY GOING WITH BLACK....YOU MUSH HAVE SANDED FOR COUNTLESS HOURS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
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From: Sewell NJ
Re: Another Paint Poll (ZORA_RULES)
Actually I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I did something I probably shouldn't have done. When I got the car down to bare fiberglass I sanded the bare SMC with 400 grit wet or dry and long boards. It didn't do any harm to the fiberglass and probably took away most of the waviness. I don't know if I would recommend this to anyone else but it worked for me. Once it was done I hit it with about 5 coats of primer surfacer and then sanded about 2 or 3 coats off. All in all it took about 6 months to do it in my free time from start of stripping to final buff. Thanks for the compliments.
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Re: Another Paint Poll (vettfixr)
Great. I concur with everyone's opinion. We spend money to upgrade and improve performance. So it' makes sense to upgrade the asthetics as well.
In fact, I took it a step further. I have an '82 Collector's Edition. Rather than spend $1500.00 on a stripe kit which would eventual fail from UV and age, I painted the fades and pinstripes and put them under the clearcoat. Some have told me it was blasphemous. Others have thought it was cool. Personally, I think it only made sense. The car looks great and stock. Its only upon close inspection you can figure it out.
Thanks for all the replies!
Regards,
In fact, I took it a step further. I have an '82 Collector's Edition. Rather than spend $1500.00 on a stripe kit which would eventual fail from UV and age, I painted the fades and pinstripes and put them under the clearcoat. Some have told me it was blasphemous. Others have thought it was cool. Personally, I think it only made sense. The car looks great and stock. Its only upon close inspection you can figure it out.
Thanks for all the replies!
Regards,
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 765
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From: Canton GA
Re: Another Paint Poll (rhenning)
I would just ignore whoever things its blasphemy to not have vinly stickons as opposed to painted stripes under the clear. It looks much better and you'll be happier with it over time....just do what you want, the car is your's to enjoy....can't please everyone.