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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 04:45 PM
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Howdy All,

I am getting ready to paint my 1990 Coupe and thought I'd ask a couple of questions about the process.
I have told that there is a considerable difference in paint used for fiberglass bodies and paint used for non fiberglass bodies. Is this true or does it matter ? I'm a little confused.
Also, it has been suggested that I look for a paint shop that specializes in painting fiberglass. I understand that a shop that specializes in painting fiberglass will have more experience in doing the job, thus they can charge more for thier expertise, but the person who has made these suggestions happens to be a autobody painter that...you guessed it specializes in painting fiberglass bodies.

So I am hoping my C4 brothers can help me sort this out. Is there any truth to this special fiberglass paint ( which I'm sure will be a upcharge) and do I need to take the car the a Fiberglass Painting Guru or can any competent painter do the job?

Thank You as always in advance for all the wisdom you folks provide.

Thanks Again...c4tonezone
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by c4tonezone
Howdy All,

I am getting ready to paint my 1990 Coupe and thought I'd ask a couple of questions about the process.
I have told that there is a considerable difference in paint used for fiberglass bodies and paint used for non fiberglass bodies. Is this true or does it matter ? I'm a little confused.
Also, it has been suggested that I look for a paint shop that specializes in painting fiberglass. I understand that a shop that specializes in painting fiberglass will have more experience in doing the job, thus they can charge more for thier expertise, but the person who has made these suggestions happens to be a autobody painter that...you guessed it specializes in painting fiberglass bodies.

So I am hoping my C4 brothers can help me sort this out. Is there any truth to this special fiberglass paint ( which I'm sure will be a upcharge) and do I need to take the car the a Fiberglass Painting Guru or can any competent painter do the job?

Thank You as always in advance for all the wisdom you folks provide.

Thanks Again...c4tonezone

JMO..........I use dupont chroma base and chroma clear on ALL cars I paint, metal or vette. Painting is the easiest part of the painting process. The skill is getting the prep work right. Their is an excellent paint and body forum at this site. Good luck What color you going to go to?

Corvette Mike

Last edited by CorvetteMike2024; Mar 24, 2009 at 06:55 PM.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 08:57 PM
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There is no real difference between painting metal or fiberglass, at least once you get past the original primer sealer stage. As far as I know, there's no such thing as "fiberglass paints". I prefer PPG when I use premium paints, but I reallly don't think there's that much difference. It pretty much depends upon what your painter prefers.
There are cheaper systems such as OMNI which will give good resullts for a lot less money. Shops tend to charge more for fiberglass because vette owners tend to be more ah, er, picky (they use other adjectives), and then there's the corvette tax. As Mike said, the important part is the prep.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 10:43 PM
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iv had my 88 painted at a body shop twice! both jobs have failed , (paint and filler shrinkage! remember f/glass expands/contracts as does metal but 2 different degress the hood is very flexibal when u open it do your home work especially if u r going to use clear over base. and yes there are fibrglass paint there mainly used on boats but will work well on a corvette!.

Last edited by corvettec4; Mar 24, 2009 at 10:46 PM.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by corvettec4
iv had my 88 painted at a body shop twice! both jobs have failed , (paint and filler shrinkage! remember f/glass expands/contracts as does metal but 2 different degress the hood is very flexibal when u open it do your home work especially if u r going to use clear over base. and yes there are fibrglass paint there mainly used on boats but will work well on a corvette!.
When you DONT CATALIZE everything including the spot putty shrinkage will occur.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 11:12 PM
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Default C4 Paint Q&A

Thank All that responded to my paint question.
I plan on painting the car as it sits now with its original color - OEM Code # 96 Charcoal Metallic. I really like this color and you don't see too many C4's around these days with this color.
Although my Vette is only a 1990 , I plan to fully stay true to its originallity. Any restoration will be done with respect in returning the car as it was new in 1990.

Thanks Again... c4tonezone
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 11:38 PM
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be sure to shake the can real good before pressing the nozzle. I estimate 145 cans at this rate
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 06:45 AM
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You could check out Southern Polyurethanes paint (SPI). Their paint is just as good if not better than Dupont or PPG. Cars with their paint have been featured in Hot Rod magazine. And YearOne has used their paint on a few cars they've built from scratch.

From what I've read into getting my 89 painted, you want to start with Epoxy to seal everything off. Then you can use 2k to build and block, seal it if you want, then base/clear. Though, some have been able to get away with just the Epoxy, then straight to base/clear.

www.southernpolyurethanes.com/homepage-old.htm

SPI forum:

http://spi.forumup.org/index.php?mforum=spi
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
JMO..........I use dupont chroma base and chroma clear on ALL cars I paint, metal or vette. Painting is the easiest part of the painting process. The skill is getting the prep work right. Their is an excellent paint and body forum at this site. Good luck What color you going to go to?

Corvette Mike
I agree with some Flex in the paint. Especially for the bumpers !
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 10:53 AM
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When I painted my Vette, I used a "Polyester" primer which was recommended on this sites auto body forum which I don't see anymore.

It's been about almost two years and no shrinkage or any other problems. The only difference between painting SMC, Fiberglass and Metal is the Prep not the paint.

I also, don't use Flex additive because it changes the color of the paint slightly. My bumpers still flex and the paint is unaffected.
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