Cracks in Paint
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Cracks in Paint
I own a black 81 Vette and love the thing to death. Problem is, the paint has cracks forming everywhere. I've talked to some people and they said this is pretty common with Vettes because of the fiberglass. I've gotten some quotes and the range is like 6-10 grand. I only paid 7,500 for the car so I'm not looking to drop that kind of cash on a paint job. Would it be totally ridiculous to take it to like MAACO or something just so they can add another couple coats? I'm running out of ideas. I've been hestitant because I don't want a cheap place like that to totally ruin the car. What do you guys think?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 120,798
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte NC
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Maaco is going to do the worst job they can for the least amount of money. I had them paint my van & its developing the same cracks that you're talking about on the raised top. Save up & get it done right.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Give it a good polish and stand back 3 feet. How does it look? If it is respectable then leave you money in your wallet. I have some cracks too. But I don't leave a guard dog next to my new $8000 paint job when I leave my car either. Enjoy the car while you don't have to sweat about little chips, marks etc. Once you get it all painted up you will be like the godfather watching it.
These cars always flex a lot. The only way to reduce (notice I didn't say prevent) is to go through a huge list of stuff like:
New body mounts = less stress on body
New Suspension = smooth ride = less stress
Weld Frame all round = more rigidity = less flex on fibreglass
Theres my 0.02. Now go drive the car!
These cars always flex a lot. The only way to reduce (notice I didn't say prevent) is to go through a huge list of stuff like:
New body mounts = less stress on body
New Suspension = smooth ride = less stress
Weld Frame all round = more rigidity = less flex on fibreglass
Theres my 0.02. Now go drive the car!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 541
Likes: 5
From: Epping NH
lotsa cracks
I have had my 69 in the bodyshop for a month now with the intention of fixing a crack in the fender and replacing a broken lower valance panel. While we were at it, I asked the shop to repair all of the little spider cracks that had developed on the fenders around the hood and the headlight openings. My car had been painted by the previous owner about ten years ago and the paint dosen't look bad other than the cracks. When the shop started removing the paint, they found that the fiberglass was perfect and that the paint job was the problem. They feel that it was poorly done (poor prep, inexpensive paint) and have now stripped the front end all the way back to the doors. If you decide to paint your 81, get it done right or you may find yourself doing it again soon.
Mark
Mark
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Thanks for your advice guys. When I wax/polish it and stand 10 feet back you can't notice them but they still bug me. But I will get over it. You are right though, once I do paint it right, I will be a nervous wreck so I'm just going to enjoy it. Maybe after I buy a house and have extra money saved then I'll get it done right. Thanks again
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
New paint is more flexible and includes the additives (according to my "how to paint" book of Amazon. In they past they had to add and some peopl painted vettes like steel cars ie no additive.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Go to some car shows and ask around who did their paint. You should be able to find a lesser known independent shop that is more reasonable. I had a pretty darn nice paint job on mine done for $2500 and he used PPG base/clear. PPG makes great paint. After 5 years in the Texas sun it still hasn't faded at all.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
A friend of mine took his 62 Pontiac GP to MAACO. He did the prep work, sanding, masking, etc...they applied a single stage Red urethane...If I hadn't seen the car go in, I would swear a high end shop did the work...just fantastic.
Oh yeah, they charged him 800 bucks to shoot the car
Oh yeah, they charged him 800 bucks to shoot the car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by GDaina
A friend of mine took his 62 Pontiac GP to MAACO. He did the prep work, sanding, masking, etc...they applied a single stage Red urethane...If I hadn't seen the car go in, I would swear a high end shop did the work...just fantastic.
Oh yeah, they charged him 800 bucks to shoot the car
Oh yeah, they charged him 800 bucks to shoot the car
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Painting
The key is the prep of the car. Sand perfectly smooth, prime as needed take the chrome off etc and Maaco will do a pretty good job. Don't just take the standard paint jobs, specify what kind of paint and how many coats you want shot. I have seen some wonderful jobs done for 500-1000 which is a far cry from 5-6k
