Repainting my LT-1
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Thanks. What do the factory door gaps look like? Would love to see some photo examples.....I don't want this car over-restored, my goal is to achieve an 'as-delivered" factory look.
Here is what the door gaps look like on my '72 LT-1. It's a convertible, so maybe these were larger than the coupe gaps to allow some flex?
Here is what the door gaps look like on my '72 LT-1. It's a convertible, so maybe these were larger than the coupe gaps to allow some flex?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
"Would love to see some photo examples."
Remember... the door gaps were cut individually for each car... so there was some variation from car to car.
3 left side.
Valance
Halo
"Would love to see some photo examples."
Remember... the door gaps were cut individually for each car... so there was some variation from car to car.
3 left side.
Valance
Halo
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 23, 2017 at 07:13 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
For what this is worth:
The fourth photo in POST # 62.
It is either 'bondo' that they have not fully sanded correct...or there is a visual problem in the body gap right behind the door handle at the rear edge of the door itself. Look at it...there is something small sticking out off the edge about right in the middle of it.
I myself...knowing it is not my car...would be more concerned about the gaps being very close to perfect. Whether the panels are flush in every area is something entirely different.
No one can say that if you get the gaps right and the panels flush that GM did not make it that way due to there are no flaws...simply because each car is different... and who can honestly say that with 100% certainty. NO ONE CAN. Because I have seen some original mid-years and early C3's that were amazingly awesome when it came to panel fit and finish.
There is a limit to how wide GM wanted the gaps...and what is also visually appealing to people. If the edges of panels get sanded on enough...they can widen (obviously) and when painted...do not look as good as your green Corvette you posted a photo of.
DUB
The fourth photo in POST # 62.
It is either 'bondo' that they have not fully sanded correct...or there is a visual problem in the body gap right behind the door handle at the rear edge of the door itself. Look at it...there is something small sticking out off the edge about right in the middle of it.
I myself...knowing it is not my car...would be more concerned about the gaps being very close to perfect. Whether the panels are flush in every area is something entirely different.
No one can say that if you get the gaps right and the panels flush that GM did not make it that way due to there are no flaws...simply because each car is different... and who can honestly say that with 100% certainty. NO ONE CAN. Because I have seen some original mid-years and early C3's that were amazingly awesome when it came to panel fit and finish.
There is a limit to how wide GM wanted the gaps...and what is also visually appealing to people. If the edges of panels get sanded on enough...they can widen (obviously) and when painted...do not look as good as your green Corvette you posted a photo of.
DUB
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
It's TOUGH for some people to paint it like cars typically were!!!
Regards,
Alan
The hood was in place when the body was painted. It was pretty much impossible to get any exterior paint in the front of it.
When the black-out was done some black paint was blown in that direction but very little. So there was often some bare fiberglass.
It's TOUGH for some people to paint it like cars typically were!!!
Regards,
Alan
The hood was in place when the body was painted. It was pretty much impossible to get any exterior paint in the front of it.
When the black-out was done some black paint was blown in that direction but very little. So there was often some bare fiberglass.
Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 24, 2017 at 09:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Great stuff, Alan! Agreed, the final quality of the paintwork on my car will indeed be worlds better than the original factory product, but but just something that I'll have to learn to accept. :-)
Last edited by Tonio; Dec 24, 2017 at 04:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
It looks like it's coming along!
Have you, or are you planning to, test fit the front bumper and and the front grills?
Now's the time to make sure you'll be satisfied with their fit after the paint.
Regards,
Alan
It looks like it's coming along!
Have you, or are you planning to, test fit the front bumper and and the front grills?
Now's the time to make sure you'll be satisfied with their fit after the paint.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 926
Likes: 200
From: TX
Chapter2
Was curious as to whether your painter is going to paint with wheels being supported or hanging in the air. I've painted a few cars, but never a corvette, and was wondering if this is an issue. I might take a stab at painting my 69 someday.
Thanks
VS
Was curious as to whether your painter is going to paint with wheels being supported or hanging in the air. I've painted a few cars, but never a corvette, and was wondering if this is an issue. I might take a stab at painting my 69 someday.
Thanks
VS
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
He'll be painting it with the car elevated on the jack, wheels removed in order to mask off the suspension and wheel wells, and to get his gun into the wells to get good coverage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Anthony, the car is coming along very nicely. I would say the body looked exceptional (stripped) when they started, but the work they've done thus far looks terrific as well. At this rate you should end up with an extraordinarily nice paint job. 
Thanks for posting all of the detailed pictures as well.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thanks for posting all of the detailed pictures as well.
Good luck... GUSTO
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
So help me out here,....
So help me out here. I am doing body work and paint on a 72 LT-1 too, but not as smart as Chapter2, this is a DIY job
So I would guess the front here is press molded as darker gray and if you look closely you can see the fiberglass fibers in the surface, like Alan's Rockwell inner fender sticker photo.
And,
The SEM is lighter grey, marble like color, can not see surface fibers like the doors here in this photo and maybe the rear clip???? If I understand correctly and to echo Alan, 72 was a transition year for press molded to SEM??
Correct?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
So I would guess the front here is press molded as darker gray and if you look closely you can see the fiberglass fibers in the surface, like Alan's Rockwell inner fender sticker photo.
And,
The SEM is lighter grey, marble like color, can not see surface fibers like the doors here in this photo and maybe the rear clip???? If I understand correctly and to echo Alan, 72 was a transition year for press molded to SEM??
Correct?
And,
The SEM is lighter grey, marble like color, can not see surface fibers like the doors here in this photo and maybe the rear clip???? If I understand correctly and to echo Alan, 72 was a transition year for press molded to SEM??
Correct?
So two different types of body material in the car....in regards to fiberglass...so-to-speak.
DUB
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Anthony, the car is coming along very nicely. I would say the body looked exceptional (stripped) when they started, but the work they've done thus far looks terrific as well. At this rate you should end up with an extraordinarily nice paint job.
Thanks for posting all of the detailed pictures as well.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thanks for posting all of the detailed pictures as well.
Good luck... GUSTO