Repainting my LT-1
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Repainting my LT-1
Figure I'd start a photo documentary of the repainting of my LT-1. It's a totally original car, deluxe interior, no other options other than dealer-installed luggage rack and side view mirror, which will be removed to bring the car back to factory stock. 28,000 miles, great shape but it's had a poor repaint in its prior life. So it's time to give this girl a new dress. It's original color is Bridgehampton Blue, and that's what it will be once again.
The car is being stripped down to the fiberglass (edited, thanks) to remove all prior wrong-doings. We'll see if it is indeed a no-hit car. All work is being done by a professional shop.
I hope to post photos as the work progresses. So here we go.....the car as it sits today;
The car is being stripped down to the fiberglass (edited, thanks) to remove all prior wrong-doings. We'll see if it is indeed a no-hit car. All work is being done by a professional shop.
I hope to post photos as the work progresses. So here we go.....the car as it sits today;
Last edited by Tonio; Nov 17, 2017 at 08:16 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C2,
This should make a VERY nice car!!!!
It'll be interesting to see the progress!
Regards,
Alan
Be very cautious in repairing the holes from the luggage rack….'v' out and just resin and mat….NO FILLER of any kind!
This should make a VERY nice car!!!!
It'll be interesting to see the progress!
Regards,
Alan
Be very cautious in repairing the holes from the luggage rack….'v' out and just resin and mat….NO FILLER of any kind!
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 16, 2017 at 01:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Yeah, replacement spring. That will be addressed after I get it back from paint. It's got that 4 wheel drive look going on, no good!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Agreed! The shop owner says he's done these luggage-rack-ectomies many times, knows how to do it right. He described his method of feathering down the fiberglass a few inches around each hole, then building it up with fiberglass, then blocking it smooth. Scary stuff, but I've seen his work and it's outstanding.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,120
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Just curious maybe its just me.....
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Just curious maybe its just me.....
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
That's not the factory's vision though.
Factory original: no luggage rack and no passenger side view mirror.
Whatever the dealer added is NOT "factory original" in my opinion. Trim rings were intended by the factory to be installed. So to me that is the factory's vision of what the car should be. So that's what I'm looking to do.
Last edited by Tonio; Nov 17, 2017 at 08:14 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 968
Likes: 122
From: Lighthouse Point FL
Just curious maybe its just me.....
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
If it isn’t on the build sheet, it isn’t original. Otherwise, there’s no stopping point as the original owner could have had the dealer make any number of modifications to the car...
If the car was bought off the showroom floor, the original owner may have had no “vision” other than the sight of the car under the lights.
Last edited by maj75; Nov 17, 2017 at 08:03 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
Just curious maybe its just me.....
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
How is it returned to factory original when the original owner took delivery and asked new car prep to add a dealer installed GM luggage rack and GM passenger side mirror.
The trim rings were also in the back cargo area during transport, so do we omit them too?
I'd like to think the cars originality began with the first owners vision.
That to me is original.
Nice car.
Marshal
It is just you.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
'Chaper2'
Your car looks good and I hope all goes as you plan on.
I have shot that color before and it is a really nice looking blue....for whatever that is worth.
. This type of statement always cracks me up and makes me 
Actually 'Corvette' was a boat before it became a car.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette
OBVIOUSLY...I do not agree with the above statement.....and having the Corvettes out there to prove that gelcoat is good to use..I stand
by my views...and the same goes for those who do not use gelcoat and had success....you can stand by your views.
But what amazes me is the paint jobs I work on that have bubbles/blisters. And they have no gelcoat on them...or even a good polyester primer. But when I am done and it is decades old...it is not bubbling/blistering....so...go figure. Keep in mind this is NOT on SMC Corvettes.
I know that there is more than one way of doing this...but for the record. Applying the correct filler on top of the lamination does work.
DUB
Your car looks good and I hope all goes as you plan on.
I have shot that color before and it is a really nice looking blue....for whatever that is worth.
There is no gel coat. It isn't a boat. Primer on glass.
. This type of statement always cracks me up and makes me Actually 'Corvette' was a boat before it became a car.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette
OBVIOUSLY...I do not agree with the above statement.....and having the Corvettes out there to prove that gelcoat is good to use..I stand
by my views...and the same goes for those who do not use gelcoat and had success....you can stand by your views.
But what amazes me is the paint jobs I work on that have bubbles/blisters. And they have no gelcoat on them...or even a good polyester primer. But when I am done and it is decades old...it is not bubbling/blistering....so...go figure. Keep in mind this is NOT on SMC Corvettes.
Be very cautious in repairing the holes from the luggage rack….'v' out and just resin and mat….NO FILLER of any kind!
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Nov 18, 2017 at 05:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The luggage rack and mirror are GM APPROVED ITEMS that were 'dealer installed'....because the factory wouldn't install them. It's not like they were aftermarket parts. NCRS may not see them as "original"...but that's their problem.
P.S. The car did come with a radio (whether it has one now or not). Got an antenna hole....
P.S. The car did come with a radio (whether it has one now or not). Got an antenna hole....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I have methods of doing this type of repair but it seems that if I express what I have found works....it seems to upset some members who just want to start a debate.
DUB
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
The luggage rack and mirror are GM APPROVED ITEMS that were 'dealer installed'....because the factory wouldn't install them. It's not like they were aftermarket parts. NCRS may not see them as "original"...but that's their problem.
P.S. The car did come with a radio (whether it has one now or not). Got an antenna hole....
P.S. The car did come with a radio (whether it has one now or not). Got an antenna hole....
Car has the factory radio, yes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
Then I am sure that you and your guy who is doing the work will have a game plan to make sure that these bubbles do not come back in time.
I have methods of doing this type of repair but it seems that if I express what I have found works....it seems to upset some members who just want to start a debate.
DUB
I have methods of doing this type of repair but it seems that if I express what I have found works....it seems to upset some members who just want to start a debate.
DUB
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Too Funny!!!
Too Funny!!!
"Actually 'Corvette' was a boat before it became a car.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette "
Very True! Thanks!
"Actually 'Corvette' was a boat before it became a car.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette "
Very True! Thanks!
Last edited by 20mercury; Nov 20, 2017 at 09:43 AM.