Repainting my LT-1
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
If it gets damaged, I'll have it repaired. I did however invest in a nice new flannel-lined car cover for it.
Last edited by Tonio; Feb 10, 2018 at 11:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
The exposed chrome detail on the side-grills looks especially well done!
Regards,
Alan
The prep and paint for the 'astro' plenums is something else that contributes to a nice paint job.
The exposed chrome detail on the side-grills looks especially well done!
Regards,
Alan
The prep and paint for the 'astro' plenums is something else that contributes to a nice paint job.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 15, 2018 at 07:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Your attention to detail is off the charts, Alan! Did the factory take the time to mask that off like that?
Last edited by Tonio; Feb 14, 2018 at 06:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
" Did the factory take the time to mask that off like that?"
Part of the painting process at St.Louis did involve 'blacking out' the wiper bay area and the Astro plenums.
Although it wasn't done as precisely as I did it, a 'mask' was positioned on the rear deck that allowed the 'bottom', but not the 'sides', of the 'lip' the grill sits in, to be painted black.
I believe it was done that way so that putting the grills in place hides the transition from black to body color.
Regards,
Alan
There was also an effort made to make a 'controlled' transition from black to body color on the underside of the hood... and that was even MORE 'crudely' done.
Part of the transition is hidden by the hood seal but the remainder can be seen.
" Did the factory take the time to mask that off like that?"
Part of the painting process at St.Louis did involve 'blacking out' the wiper bay area and the Astro plenums.
Although it wasn't done as precisely as I did it, a 'mask' was positioned on the rear deck that allowed the 'bottom', but not the 'sides', of the 'lip' the grill sits in, to be painted black.
I believe it was done that way so that putting the grills in place hides the transition from black to body color.
Regards,
Alan
There was also an effort made to make a 'controlled' transition from black to body color on the underside of the hood... and that was even MORE 'crudely' done.
Part of the transition is hidden by the hood seal but the remainder can be seen.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 15, 2018 at 07:29 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
address any door gap issues, before paint not after.
I also would insist upon viewing the fully stripped body, Not Primed.
because of your previous bubble issues.
I also would insist upon viewing the fully stripped body, Not Primed.
because of your previous bubble issues.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Yep, I did. I took photos of the fully stripped body when I was at the shop for that phase. Photos are posted in this thread. They opine that the issue was due to a problem with the previous paint mix. They are guaranteeing me that the blisters won't come back.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Progress photos from the shop today...LT-1 stripes got painted onto the hood last week, hood is getting sanded and buffed now. So the journey is close to an end; shop owner says that barring a storm this weekend, I can come pick it up on Saturday. Can't wait to see her in her new shiny dress! Since the roads are still very salty, I'll be trailering the car home. Actually I'm bringing them another LT-1 to strip and paint for my brother. So I'll trailer that car to them, then trailer mine back home. His is white, and an air car. Pretty rare and original, but the paint is junk. It deserves this shop's work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,267
Likes: 951
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Progress photos from the shop today...LT-1 stripes got painted onto the hood last week, hood is getting sanded and buffed now. So the journey is close to an end; shop owner says that barring a storm this weekend, I can come pick it up on Saturday. Can't wait to see her in her new shiny dress! Since the roads are still very salty, I'll be trailering the car home. Actually I'm bringing them another LT-1 to strip and paint for my brother. So I'll trailer that car to them, then trailer mine back home. His is white, and an air car. Pretty rare and original, but the paint is junk. It deserves this shop's work.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
This seems to have gone really well!
I can understand your excitement about getting it home!
An LT-1 with a/c... now that sounds VERY special!
I'd be interested in seeing some photos of it.
Regards,
Alan
Sometimes they come home looking very 'funny'!
This seems to have gone really well!
I can understand your excitement about getting it home!
An LT-1 with a/c... now that sounds VERY special!
I'd be interested in seeing some photos of it.
Regards,
Alan
Sometimes they come home looking very 'funny'!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Gorgeous! Stunning!
Unfortunately, a repaint like yours is SO MUCH better than anything that every came from the factory, especially St Louis. The quality control got better once the factory moved to Bowling Green in 1981, but some of the finish work on my 78, which still has the the OEM lacquer paint is horrifying.
Many of these restorations that I see are the way the car should have come from the factory when new but were very poorly put together from the factory back then.....
Alan, you are the expert. Does the NCRS deduct points for restoring cars beyond the factory condition when new? Just curious...
Unfortunately, a repaint like yours is SO MUCH better than anything that every came from the factory, especially St Louis. The quality control got better once the factory moved to Bowling Green in 1981, but some of the finish work on my 78, which still has the the OEM lacquer paint is horrifying.
Many of these restorations that I see are the way the car should have come from the factory when new but were very poorly put together from the factory back then.....
Alan, you are the expert. Does the NCRS deduct points for restoring cars beyond the factory condition when new? Just curious...
Last edited by jb78L-82; Mar 2, 2018 at 02:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Thanks, guys. Yeah pretty excited to get her back so I can attend to a few deferred maintenance items before spring comes.
Alan, here's the only photo I have of my brother's LT-1 air car. The photo makes the car's paint look nice, but it's HORRIFIC. It's literally peeling and falling off. If you look closely at the rear passenger side sail panel, you'll see paint missing and primer showing! The paint literally flaked off. Shame because the rest of the car is a nice "survivor" quality car. But the paint is too horrible to leave alone. It's going to get the same treatment as mine. He's hoping to get it back in time for us to drive out together to Corvettes at Carlisle in August.
Alan, here's the only photo I have of my brother's LT-1 air car. The photo makes the car's paint look nice, but it's HORRIFIC. It's literally peeling and falling off. If you look closely at the rear passenger side sail panel, you'll see paint missing and primer showing! The paint literally flaked off. Shame because the rest of the car is a nice "survivor" quality car. But the paint is too horrible to leave alone. It's going to get the same treatment as mine. He's hoping to get it back in time for us to drive out together to Corvettes at Carlisle in August.
Last edited by Tonio; Mar 2, 2018 at 03:11 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Chapter 2, your car looks GREAT!! I know how excited you must be.
I took mine to a paint shop a few weeks ago that I had been waiting for 4 months to get in. Three days after dropping it off, they called and said to come pick it up because they under estimated the job and it was more then they can handle..
Now I'm on the waiting list for another Paint shop that does all of my dad's vettes, they are literally double the cost and then some but....they are a proven product, so I am biting the bullet and doing it right....$$$$$$$$
I hope to be at the stage you are at by the Fall...
I took mine to a paint shop a few weeks ago that I had been waiting for 4 months to get in. Three days after dropping it off, they called and said to come pick it up because they under estimated the job and it was more then they can handle..
Now I'm on the waiting list for another Paint shop that does all of my dad's vettes, they are literally double the cost and then some but....they are a proven product, so I am biting the bullet and doing it right....$$$$$$$$
I hope to be at the stage you are at by the Fall...