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

What would you do ???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 01:27 PM
  #1  
jesse94954's Avatar
jesse94954
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default What would you do ???

Once again thank you everyone for the help.


So I have been doing some research on body work that I am looking to do on my 73 corvette. When looking at the body there really isn’t a whole lot of work that needs to be done on it but I do have a few questions. I find all or any of the problems that I might not be sing should I strip the primer and paint off the car and take it down to the bare basics fiberglass? Or should I just fix everything that I see on the car? Just so you know what I bought it the car was already primed and stripped of most of the paint.
Looking for opinions and Ideas or thoughts on what you would do. Thanks again!

here is the link for the pix

http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/je...?sort=3&page=1
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 01:53 PM
  #2  
Priya's Avatar
Priya
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Default

If it was a steel car I'd say strip it down but I think with a fiberglass car its a lot less likely there are problems you can't see.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 06:29 PM
  #3  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Here are some questions you have to ask yourself.
1.) Am I going to KEEP this car? (Y/N)
2.) Am I looking to get it to the point where I can sell it and try to make $$$? (Y/N)

There can numerous issues that may not bee seen unless you remove the primer down to the bare fiberglass.

SO...depending on what you are expecting the outcome to be and your intentions with the car will be the determining factor(s) in whether or not you strip it down or not. BECAUSE if you do NOT strip it...and a year AFTER you get it done... and have a problem...TRUST ME...you will kick yourself in the rear.

DUB
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 07:44 PM
  #4  
oldschoolvette's Avatar
oldschoolvette
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
Default

Originally Posted by DUB
Here are some questions you have to ask yourself.
1.) Am I going to KEEP this car? (Y/N)
2.) Am I looking to get it to the point where I can sell it and try to make $$$? (Y/N)

There can numerous issues that may not bee seen unless you remove the primer down to the bare fiberglass.

SO...depending on what you are expecting the outcome to be and your intentions with the car will be the determining factor(s) in whether or not you strip it down or not. BECAUSE if you do NOT strip it...and a year AFTER you get it done... and have a problem...TRUST ME...you will kick yourself in the rear.

DUB
straight to the point and very true
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 08:30 PM
  #5  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,124
Likes: 4,196
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi j,
In looking at the pictures it appears you're pretty close to bare fiberglass already.
Now is the time to know EXACTLY what's under there.
You certainly don't want to run into troubles as you're putting the expensive top coats on.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 09:05 PM
  #6  
Priya's Avatar
Priya
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Default

All these guys make good sense so I'm going to retract my statment and go along with them.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 10:47 AM
  #7  
jesse94954's Avatar
jesse94954
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default

thank you everyone for the response and you guys are right i plan on keeping the car for a wile and it would really suck to have issue couple of years down the line. What would you guys suggest i use to strip the primer and paint of ?. I dont think in going to be able to use and chemical striper. Once again thank you everyone
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 11:35 AM
  #8  
tracdogg2's Avatar
tracdogg2
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
Default

Originally Posted by DUB
Here are some questions you have to ask yourself.
1.) Am I going to KEEP this car? (Y/N)
2.) Am I looking to get it to the point where I can sell it and try to make $$$? (Y/N)

There can numerous issues that may not bee seen unless you remove the primer down to the bare fiberglass.

SO...depending on what you are expecting the outcome to be and your intentions with the car will be the determining factor(s) in whether or not you strip it down or not. BECAUSE if you do NOT strip it...and a year AFTER you get it done... and have a problem...TRUST ME...you will kick yourself in the rear.

DUB
Very well said Dub. And this says it all.
Mike
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 01:12 PM
  #9  
1974CorvetteJimCr's Avatar
1974CorvetteJimCr
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 205
Likes: 20
Default

Originally Posted by DUB
Here are some questions you have to ask yourself.
1.) Am I going to KEEP this car? (Y/N)
2.) Am I looking to get it to the point where I can sell it and try to make $$$? (Y/N)

There can numerous issues that may not bee seen unless you remove the primer down to the bare fiberglass.

SO...depending on what you are expecting the outcome to be and your intentions with the car will be the determining factor(s) in whether or not you strip it down or not. BECAUSE if you do NOT strip it...and a year AFTER you get it done... and have a problem...TRUST ME...you will kick yourself in the rear.

DUB


I do agree with DUB.

That being said I looked at your pics. Tell us about that engine! What is it and is it going into your Vette?
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 02:05 PM
  #10  
Priya's Avatar
Priya
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Default

Originally Posted by 1974CorvetteJimCr


I do agree with DUB.

That being said I looked at your pics. Tell us about that engine! What is it and is it going into your Vette?
Also, what are those gorgeous seats out of?
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 02:45 PM
  #11  
jesse94954's Avatar
jesse94954
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Priya
Also, what are those gorgeous seats out of?
Those seats were Gavin to me from a friend. I believe they came out of 1997 corvette i had them redone in black.

So after i strip all the primer and paint off the car do i need to put a gelcoat on or can i just prime it and seal it ?

I will keep you guys updated on the progress im getting ready to pull the engine out and redo the whole front end going with rack in pinion upper and lower control arm coil over shocks and whole new break system also trying to decide if i should put my 396 big block with tunnel ram dual carbs roller rocker gear drive built this couple of months ago that's the one in the picture or 383 stoker motor. you guys thoughts would be great. Not sure if i want to cut up hood. It currently has a 350 that leaks all over and i mean all over lol I was going to pull it and rebuild it if it was the original engine but no luck.

Last edited by jesse94954; Sep 20, 2013 at 03:05 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 02:50 PM
  #12  
Priya's Avatar
Priya
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Default

Those seats are definitely not out of a 77 Corvette or any other C3. Perhaps an early C4?
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 03:32 PM
  #13  
jesse94954's Avatar
jesse94954
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Priya
Those seats are definitely not out of a 77 Corvette or any other C3. Perhaps an early C4?
I think early c4 sounds about right they are really comfy lol
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 04:51 PM
  #14  
Priya's Avatar
Priya
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Default

Originally Posted by jesse94954
they are really comfy lol
They look like it!
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2013 | 05:58 PM
  #15  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Default

I personally/professionally prefer to chemically strip paint off. I do use media blasting from time to time if specific areas...but fall back on a chemical stripper for the bulk of paint/primer removal.

SO...if you are not able to use chemical...then the only other options is trusting someone to media blast it WITHOUT destroying the body.

DO NOT****REPEAT*****DO NOT soda blast the body.

Sanding the primer off...which can be done but care needs to be taken so you do not sand too much body material off. Not to make you paranoid...sanding can be done but if you do not know how to sand the body without creating waves, divots, ripples in it...this option can be more disastrous than you can imagine....especially when someone UNQUALIFIED gets a POWER SANDER in their hands and runs it at full force.

DUB
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To What would you do ???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:21 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE