HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor.
The paint has had small blisters in it for many years, just above the A/C compressor. However, I've noticed that it's starting to spread (maybe because vette is being driven MUCH more now). Is there anything I can do to stop this? I don't really want to put insulation there for fear of it sagging and being grabbed by the belt or pulley. What about a reflective aluminum tape on the underside of the hood? Would that help at all. The original paint really is in good shape, except for a few minor blemishes. Even if I were to get the vette repainted, I think this problem would re-occur.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Racer
Joined: May 2001
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From: beach fl
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
Well, that it the primary reason for the hood insulation blanket. I'm really not sure what else there is to do other than install one.
Rick :cool:
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Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (tangee-vette)
Rick,
I have the original hood insulation blanket. The problem is that it does not cover the entire hood. It stops right around the front of the block, rather than extend all the way to the front. My blistering problem is occuring above the A/C compressor, where there is no insulation.
David,
I'm not sure if the A/C compressor is wearing out and causing more heat than normal, or if there is something else causing it. It would definitely help if there was insulation over this area, but I'd be afraid that a belt would grab the insulation if it started to sag. Not sure if GM maybe had the same reasoning too.
Avery
[Modified by sharklover, 7:19 PM 5/5/2002]
I have the original hood insulation blanket. The problem is that it does not cover the entire hood. It stops right around the front of the block, rather than extend all the way to the front. My blistering problem is occuring above the A/C compressor, where there is no insulation.
David,
I'm not sure if the A/C compressor is wearing out and causing more heat than normal, or if there is something else causing it. It would definitely help if there was insulation over this area, but I'd be afraid that a belt would grab the insulation if it started to sag. Not sure if GM maybe had the same reasoning too.
Avery
[Modified by sharklover, 7:19 PM 5/5/2002]
Race Director
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Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
Like everyone else has said, that is what the insulation is there for, but moreover, what is creating so much heat at the air compressor?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: San Francisco, CA
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
A full coverage hood insulation is available. You may have to add some of the clips to your hood but I don't see why you couldn't go with the larger one.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Shawano WI
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
I don't believe it is heat related. I had this happen on 2 of the vette I had, including the one I have now. I have been watching this problem for over ten years and have looked at it on over 25 cars. It seems to be a problem on the 73 to 79 cars. I have seen it on the hoods and in the front fender coves. On the hood it mostly seem to happen along the curve of the hood rise and I have seen it at many different places along that curve. Here is a picture of one on the car I have now before I painted it. This car had the hood insulation intact.
On the blisters that I have been allowed to cut open there is a water stain in it. It seems as though moisture is getting through the fiberglass from underneth the paint. This is the same thing that happens on the ones in the cove area. The blisters start small and grow to about the size of a quarter. They don't seem to break by themselves if left alone. Some owner have told me they have been on there car for years and never got any worse.
I have seen some that have happened within days of the car being painted and after being redone did not reappear.
Again it is just my observation but I believe it is moisture from underneath the paint. Why it happens to some and not others I don't know.
On the blisters that I have been allowed to cut open there is a water stain in it. It seems as though moisture is getting through the fiberglass from underneth the paint. This is the same thing that happens on the ones in the cove area. The blisters start small and grow to about the size of a quarter. They don't seem to break by themselves if left alone. Some owner have told me they have been on there car for years and never got any worse.
I have seen some that have happened within days of the car being painted and after being redone did not reappear.
Again it is just my observation but I believe it is moisture from underneath the paint. Why it happens to some and not others I don't know.
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Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
Could be oil spray from the ac compressor seal that over the years has wicked up through the fiberglass and bubbled your paint. I doubt there would be that much heat in one spot to damage the paint in that way.
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Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (gq82)
I agree with Jerry, I think it is possibly from oil getting through the fiberglass.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (Smokehouse69)
I agree with Jerry, I think it is possibly from oil getting through the fiberglass.
Where can I get the full length blanket? Not that it will save anything, but maybe it will delay the worsening of the situation for a while. :(
[Modified by sharklover, 9:53 PM 5/5/2002]
Melting Slicks
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From: Lancaster PA
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (Smokehouse69)
I agree with the oil theory. I have seen this on several Vettes including a couple of C4's and it is always in line of the oil splash from the front seal. I know one guy that had his hood repainted 4 times and the body shop was at their wits end but did not know what was causing the problem. I would put on the one of the guards available to stop further penetration but the existing oil will be tough to get out. Craig
Racer
Joined: May 2001
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From: beach fl
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (gq82)
Could be oil spray from the ac compressor seal that over the years has wicked up through the fiberglass and bubbled your paint. I doubt there would be that much heat in one spot to damage the paint in that way.
Rick :cool:
Drifting
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From: San Francisco, CA
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
The full size insulation is available from a number of suppliers. I got it from Zip. Not sure how much it was but I think around $25. I think if you have the half-size insulation you may need to add a couple of the clips that hold the blanket on. These are also available.
Race Director
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (gq82)
If it's compressor oil wickering up through the fiberglass....Bad news.....once this happens it's very hard to remove the oil....almost impossible....Real bummer after putting on a nice paint job and watch the condition work its way to the surface again...This was one of the reasons I installed a new hood...the original had the blistering and it was caused by the compressor oil....Paint shop said they would not guaranty the paint job on the hood if I decided on the paint job using that hood.....so I ordered new hood and had the A/C problem fixed......Make sure if you get new hood you coat the underside with a coating that is oil proof..... :seeya Cappy
Team Owner
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (8T1-7T9 BIONIC VETTE)
It definately is the compressor oil, happened to a freind's '78, when her son painted it, he took oil cutter of some type, soaked it into the hood from top and bottom, and dried it out good and completely in the Florida sun, many times and the problem never came back, I would either get a compressor shield for that lousey R4 compressor, or line the hood with aluminum sheeting....
GENE
GENE
Racer
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From: honolulu HI
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (killain)
just an idea but what if u used a high heat spray paint and put on a good coat to stop the oil and help reduce the heat..would that work :confused: just a thought ;)
Burning Brakes
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From: Tulsa Ok
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (mrvette)
MRVETTE is on the right track. You'll have to get the oil out of the hood. I'd suggest using kerosene in multiple applications to bubble out the oil. Then you can fix the problem that caused it in the first place. My insulation is from Home Depot, a hot water tank blanket cut to fit with the shiny side towards the engine. Any contamination from engine fluids wipes off with a paper towel.
:smash:
:smash:
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Kewaunee Wi
Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
Wash the back side of the hood with Acetone, it will wash out the oil and dry it at the same time , and then put on some kind of sealant, so it doesnt reacure, and I think im going to run out and take a look at my 81 to see if there is any oil on the back side of my hood.
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From: Southbound
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Re: HELP! Paint blistering above A/C compressor. (sharklover)
Check the seal on your AC clutch. You are apt to find it's leaking now or has leaked in the past. The blisters on your hood are not caused by heat. They are caused by the oil of the seal soaking through the fiberglass from the inside. The aftermarket providers carry a cover to keep the oil off the underside of the hood.
:)
[Modified by Easy Mike, 10:28 AM 5/6/2002]
:)
[Modified by Easy Mike, 10:28 AM 5/6/2002]