Body filler
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Douglas Georgia
St. Jude Donor '12
Body filler
Guys I'm prepping my 82 CE for a trip to the paint shop. What body filler should be used to fill the small gouges that I am doing removing the stripes and decals? I have done a search here and Internet research but ended up more confused than ever. There seems to be different Types of glass and the opinions of epoxy verses other types.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Hello Charles. If you plan to strip the paint (highly recommended) I would leave the nick repair to the paint shop since there will likely be other small areas which need attention. Even though the paint on your car is in excellent shape, it is 30 years old and not the most stable base to apply new color on.
Even if you intend to sand/reshoot over the original paint I would leave the nick repair to the shop since they will certainly block sand the surface in preparation and the nicks will diminish somewhat in that process requiring less filler. The car should look absolutely spectacular in new livery, and the NOS decal package!!! Post lots of pics please.
Even if you intend to sand/reshoot over the original paint I would leave the nick repair to the shop since they will certainly block sand the surface in preparation and the nicks will diminish somewhat in that process requiring less filler. The car should look absolutely spectacular in new livery, and the NOS decal package!!! Post lots of pics please.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
i would go here and ask questionshttp://forums.corvetteforum.com/paint-body-138/ they have some good advice.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Douglas Georgia
St. Jude Donor '12
Hello Charles. If you plan to strip the paint (highly recommended) I would leave the nick repair to the paint shop since there will likely be other small areas which need attention. Even though the paint on your car is in excellent shape, it is 30 years old and not the most stable base to apply new color on.
Even if you intend to sand/reshoot over the original paint I would leave the nick repair to the shop since they will certainly block sand the surface in preparation and the nicks will diminish somewhat in that process requiring less filler. The car should look absolutely spectacular in new livery, and the NOS decal package!!! Post lots of pics please.
Even if you intend to sand/reshoot over the original paint I would leave the nick repair to the shop since they will certainly block sand the surface in preparation and the nicks will diminish somewhat in that process requiring less filler. The car should look absolutely spectacular in new livery, and the NOS decal package!!! Post lots of pics please.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
In that case consult with your painter and follow his (her?) recommendation. All painters have certain materials they prefer and since the painter must stand behind the finished job I would involve him from the start. He might have an opinion on how to remove the current finish as well. Have fun with this, take your time and be really detail oriented; any missteps in prep will show in the final product.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
If you are doing it yourself, sand off the stripes and graphics. No nicks to fill.
Unless you've laid on your blade, your nicks are likely to only be in the paint. Factory primer underneath is likely to be okay.
Unless you've laid on your blade, your nicks are likely to only be in the paint. Factory primer underneath is likely to be okay.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Douglas Georgia
St. Jude Donor '12
In that case consult with your painter and follow his (her?) recommendation. All painters have certain materials they prefer and since the painter must stand behind the finished job I would involve him from the start. He might have an opinion on how to remove the current finish as well. Have fun with this, take your time and be really detail oriented; any missteps in prep will show in the final product.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
I was determined to do most all the Filling and Sanding myself as well. I spend Weeks doing the Therapy myself, or was that Months. When I droped it off at the Painter they walked up to the Car and started in on it with a DA Sander. Lesson Learned.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
The following may sound odd, or demented but it is a truth. If you have not yet begun removing the original paint on your 82 spend some time with your eyes closed and first run your fingertips, then your entire hand (flattened) lightly over the entire automobile. Your sense of touch is vastly more sensitive to sharp edges and waviness than your eyes could ever be. An hour or two spent "feeling up" the contours of your factory original panels will give you a sensual baseline for how the car should "feel" when it is "right". Trust me, you will remember the "correct" sensations as you refine the surface in preparation for paint.
If you have begun paint removal, choose a newer vehicle in your fleet... perhaps your truck and practice "seeing" the surface using only touch. You will be amazed at how detailed a surface map of the panels you can construct with your eyes closed. This is the secret to winding up with a "laser straight" paint finish!
If you have begun paint removal, choose a newer vehicle in your fleet... perhaps your truck and practice "seeing" the surface using only touch. You will be amazed at how detailed a surface map of the panels you can construct with your eyes closed. This is the secret to winding up with a "laser straight" paint finish!