Repainting my LT-1
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Sub'd for your progress/update pics!
Mine goes into paint next month as well....Stripping it to the gel coat as well as mine has tons of bubbles etc... I'm hoping it comes out good.
Good luck on yours!!!
Mine goes into paint next month as well....Stripping it to the gel coat as well as mine has tons of bubbles etc... I'm hoping it comes out good.
Good luck on yours!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
YES..a Corvette is not a boat but was named after one. because...'Corvette' was used to name a boat before GM used it to name a car.
So...does this mean that many of people still prefer to use old, outdated products that were used on the car 50 years ago???
Or are they stepping up to current technology. And if they are willing to do that...then some of use choose to use gelcoat. Which I do with great success and will continue to express that.
If some people choose not to use gelcoat...I have no problem with that. They can use lacquer primer if they want.
Simply because it is not that much harder to apply gelcoat than apply a primer. The reason I can say this is because I apply both. And I hate to break it to you...but gelcoat does have benefits that many of today's current primers do not have.
I guess it is okay for someone to express their opinion...but If i do...it gets some of you all worked up..,..and actually do not add anything constructive to the thread.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
YES..a Corvette is not a boat but was named after one. because...'Corvette' was used to name a boat before GM used it to name a car.
So...does this mean that many of people still prefer to use old, outdated products that were used on the car 50 years ago???
Or are they stepping up to current technology. And if they are willing to do that...then some of use choose to use gelcoat. Which I do with great success and will continue to express that.
If some people choose not to use gelcoat...I have no problem with that. They can use lacquer primer if they want.
Simply because it is not that much harder to apply gelcoat than apply a primer. The reason I can say this is because I apply both. And I hate to break it to you...but gelcoat does have benefits that many of today's current primers do not have.
I guess it is okay for someone to express their opinion...but If i do...it gets some of you all worked up..,..and actually do not add anything constructive to the thread.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,240
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From: Long Island
If you don't mind me asking, what kind of money is the repaint projected to cost.
I will have to get off L.I. for the work as the prices here are nuts..
I'm thinking of doing my 71 driver, not sure if I'll be doing it or sending it out.
thanks..
I will have to get off L.I. for the work as the prices here are nuts..
I'm thinking of doing my 71 driver, not sure if I'll be doing it or sending it out.
thanks..
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
The shop owner made me swear to keep the price confidential....needless to say it's a great price.
Update photos will be posted this weekend. Going to the shop on Friday to check out the bare stripped body. Fingers crossed that it's not full of Bondo. lol.
Update photos will be posted this weekend. Going to the shop on Friday to check out the bare stripped body. Fingers crossed that it's not full of Bondo. lol.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Ch2,
It'll be good to get your thread back on track and to see what the shop has found!
Even "no-hit" bodies typically need some work, but it's really nice to find one.
Regards,
Alan
It'll be good to get your thread back on track and to see what the shop has found!
Even "no-hit" bodies typically need some work, but it's really nice to find one.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 28, 2017 at 03:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Thanks, Alan. Yeah since the car was already wearing an older repaint, I figure it's for a reason......perhaps to cover some old mishaps. Hoping for some good news though, you never know! Stay tuned, I can't wait to see her naked! :-)
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
I hope it is all good and not total catastrophe.
I agree with Alan 71. I have had very few no-hit Corvettes that still needed some work due to panel fatigue.... and as weird as it may sound ...settling. Weird buckles and low spots where the age of the body is showing up.
And for post #24....I am not taking the 'bait'. I wrote all I needed to write on that matter. And thought a while ago....you put me on your 'ignore list'.
DUB
I agree with Alan 71. I have had very few no-hit Corvettes that still needed some work due to panel fatigue.... and as weird as it may sound ...settling. Weird buckles and low spots where the age of the body is showing up.
And for post #24....I am not taking the 'bait'. I wrote all I needed to write on that matter. And thought a while ago....you put me on your 'ignore list'.
DUB
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
I hope it is all good and not total catastrophe.
I agree with Alan 71. I have had very few no-hit Corvettes that still needed some work due to panel fatigue.... and as weird as it may sound ...settling. Weird buckles and low spots where the age of the body is showing up.
And for post #24....I am not taking the 'bait'. I wrote all I needed to write on that matter. And thought a while ago....you put me on your 'ignore list'.
DUB
I agree with Alan 71. I have had very few no-hit Corvettes that still needed some work due to panel fatigue.... and as weird as it may sound ...settling. Weird buckles and low spots where the age of the body is showing up.
And for post #24....I am not taking the 'bait'. I wrote all I needed to write on that matter. And thought a while ago....you put me on your 'ignore list'.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Just to throw you a ball park price...
My no hit, one repaint, all original body car, after going through several Paint and Body shops, resto shops etc etc.... I received quotes of $14-18k, drive in, drive out, strip to glass, color change.
I ended up going with a local shop that I used to paint my bike, he is not a vette specific shop, just a custom paint and body shop, a small one at that. He quoted me $9k, with a max over run of $10k.....(so I'm figuring $10k). That's stripping it to the glass, repair/prep/paint....drive in, drive out. He was the cheapest by far.... I would normally never shop by price on this subject, but since I've used him before, and seen a bunch of his work, I'm confident in him.
$15-20k to paint a car that's worth $20k is just freakin ridiculous in my book, and I wasn't paying it. These body shops have lost their damn minds.
Here is my bike he painted..... This was a $2k paint job...
Attachment 48355383
Last edited by ajrothm; Nov 29, 2017 at 01:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Long Island
NICE / super nice PAINT JOB, A BIKE I CAN RIDE - TRAINING WHEELS . That is a great price for great work.
The shops here want from 20k and up. It's the area.
They figure if you can afford the property tax of 15k to 25k you can afford 20k for a paint job.
If I don't send it out of state. I'll wind up doing it myself.
The shops here want from 20k and up. It's the area.
They figure if you can afford the property tax of 15k to 25k you can afford 20k for a paint job.
If I don't send it out of state. I'll wind up doing it myself.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
The shop owner sent me some sneak peak photos of the car in it's current state: stripped down to the glass. Looks like I got lucky: it appears to be a no-hit car. The panels look great. The photos are of poor quality though, not good enough to post here. I'll shoot some good photos tomorrow when I pay the shop a visit.
Yeah, I'd never pay $20k for a paint job, not a chance. I won't even pay half that.
I'll post update photos this weekend.
Yeah, I'd never pay $20k for a paint job, not a chance. I won't even pay half that.
I'll post update photos this weekend.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
The type of fiberglass being used was changed during at least part of 71 production. It made for some 'interesting looking naked bodies.
Regards,
Alan
The type of fiberglass being used was changed during at least part of 71 production. It made for some 'interesting looking naked bodies.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 30, 2017 at 03:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Thanks Alan.......now I'm REALLY relieved! The sneak peak photos that I received of my car look exactly like yours. At first I was concerned when I saw the darker shade on the nose.....I thought perhaps it was an aftermarket nose. The shop guy assured me that it is not, and in fact original GM "Tupperware" as he calls it. Lol.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
If you end up wanting to do it yourself....you will not be alone....just to let you know.
Chapter2
I am glad that I read that your car was a no hit car. I know you are pleased and I am sure that it should come out quite well.
DUB
Chapter2
I am glad that I read that your car was a no hit car. I know you are pleased and I am sure that it should come out quite well.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Nov 30, 2017 at 06:58 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
There's really no mistaking something else for a front clip that was assembled for St.Louis.
It's pretty easy to spot how the inside of the pieces were prepared for the bonding strips and how the bonding material itself was applied.
If you strip the under side of the body at all keep an eye out for these.
This pair happens to be on the underside of the hood surround. Visible in the top of the wheel well.
A mid-January 71 built car.
I don't think there was much storage space at St.Louis so things typically got made and used quickly
Regards,
Alan
There's really no mistaking something else for a front clip that was assembled for St.Louis.
It's pretty easy to spot how the inside of the pieces were prepared for the bonding strips and how the bonding material itself was applied.
If you strip the under side of the body at all keep an eye out for these.
This pair happens to be on the underside of the hood surround. Visible in the top of the wheel well.
A mid-January 71 built car.
I don't think there was much storage space at St.Louis so things typically got made and used quickly
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
The shop owner sent me some sneak peak photos of the car in it's current state: stripped down to the glass. Looks like I got lucky: it appears to be a no-hit car. The panels look great. The photos are of poor quality though, not good enough to post here. I'll shoot some good photos tomorrow when I pay the shop a visit.
Yeah, I'd never pay $20k for a paint job, not a chance. I won't even pay half that.
I'll post update photos this weekend.
Yeah, I'd never pay $20k for a paint job, not a chance. I won't even pay half that.
I'll post update photos this weekend.
I'm with you! Neurosurgeons don't charge $20K for brain surgery...not a chance I would pay that to paint my C3....My 78 has the original lacquer paint and looks fairly nice from 5 feet away but is showing its age and will need a repaint at some point. If I find someone do paint it for $7-8K, it will get done. If not, no skin off my nose..it will stay as is. I WILL find a quality paint guy to paint it for a reasonable price and I will wait patiently until then.....
Last edited by jb78L-82; Nov 30, 2017 at 07:26 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi jb,
" find a quality paint guy to paint it for a reasonable price "
The fellow who repainted my car in acrylic lacquer, (NO disassembly and NO reassembly), spent 240 hours on it.
When you figure that amount of time, add the cost of paint and materials, I don't know how you'll find someone to do it for $7000-$8000.... unless it's his hobby.
Regards,
Alan
" find a quality paint guy to paint it for a reasonable price "
The fellow who repainted my car in acrylic lacquer, (NO disassembly and NO reassembly), spent 240 hours on it.
When you figure that amount of time, add the cost of paint and materials, I don't know how you'll find someone to do it for $7000-$8000.... unless it's his hobby.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 1, 2017 at 08:04 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Long Island
My 71 red corvette was born Brands Hatch Green. I priced the paint and thinner + primer and was quoted $2200.00.
This did not include any materials - just paint and primer.
MACO can still do a job for under $1000. But ?
A gallon of RUSTOLEUM is cheap.