Looks good Ron. I knew you could save it 
This is scary
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
This is scary
Here is what I started with. I figured the bra that the previous owner had on the car had beat the paint to death.
This is what I started today. I have not done any work like this before but with the help of some of the guys here I have begun. I hope my wife's prediction of impending disaster don't come true.
Nutz4c4 loaned me his Porter Cable buffer and I have begun to buff out the main portion of the body.
Before:
After:
The weather here in Michigan is in the teens but with my kerosene heater I can get the temps inside up to almost 40F. I can still see my breath though. Gotta get this finished in time for my West Michigan Crew's road trip in mid April.
Earlier today I also stripped and repainted the passenger mirror. I will do the driver's side tomorrow. I'm using rattle cans from Corvette Central and the color seems to match just fine.
This is what I started today. I have not done any work like this before but with the help of some of the guys here I have begun. I hope my wife's prediction of impending disaster don't come true.
Nutz4c4 loaned me his Porter Cable buffer and I have begun to buff out the main portion of the body.
Before:
After:
The weather here in Michigan is in the teens but with my kerosene heater I can get the temps inside up to almost 40F. I can still see my breath though. Gotta get this finished in time for my West Michigan Crew's road trip in mid April.
Earlier today I also stripped and repainted the passenger mirror. I will do the driver's side tomorrow. I'm using rattle cans from Corvette Central and the color seems to match just fine.
Last edited by corvetteronw; Feb 8, 2010 at 02:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 156
From: White Oak PA
Pretty Damaging Results
Ron,
I always had suspicions about automotive bras and their destructive potential when not properly used. Some owners will carelessly leave them on all the time with moisture and dirt becoming trapped underneath. Paint damage is almost guaranteed. I used one on a previous RX7 and learned that it also scratched the paint from movements while driving with it on. No more bras for me. I sound like a 1960's woman libber.
Good luck with your project. I really love the color of your C4.
John
I always had suspicions about automotive bras and their destructive potential when not properly used. Some owners will carelessly leave them on all the time with moisture and dirt becoming trapped underneath. Paint damage is almost guaranteed. I used one on a previous RX7 and learned that it also scratched the paint from movements while driving with it on. No more bras for me. I sound like a 1960's woman libber.
Good luck with your project. I really love the color of your C4.
John
Le Mans Master
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2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Looks good! Nicely done! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Ottawa Ontario
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There is a guy here that did a targa with rattles. It turned out great. It's all about application. I have spray painted aluminum boats that for $10 that people thought it came that way.
It will turn out fine Ron, just take you time follow directions and shake well.
It will turn out fine Ron, just take you time follow directions and shake well.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Then 3 wet coats of the Steel Blue. Next is the clear coat which I will color sand with 1500 grit and then buff out with the Porter Cable.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I know, I know. I am just using the cans on the mirrors and the front section that has the crappy paint.
Looks like I can make the rest of the car presentable with the Meguiar products. The side panels look OK after their swirl remover. The horizontal surfaces look good after using the fine cut and then the swirl remover. The bad parts are the front and rear clips which are extremely dull. I am using the heavy cut, then the fine cut and then the swirl remover on them.
It will not look as new but I just cannot afford a full on paint job right now.
I bought some used front and rear emblems from a member here as mine are nasty. It was kind of disheartening to pull the existing one off the fuel door and get to see what the original paint used to look like underneath.
Big difference! I'll get her repainted some day but not in 2010.
Looks like I can make the rest of the car presentable with the Meguiar products. The side panels look OK after their swirl remover. The horizontal surfaces look good after using the fine cut and then the swirl remover. The bad parts are the front and rear clips which are extremely dull. I am using the heavy cut, then the fine cut and then the swirl remover on them.
It will not look as new but I just cannot afford a full on paint job right now.
I bought some used front and rear emblems from a member here as mine are nasty. It was kind of disheartening to pull the existing one off the fuel door and get to see what the original paint used to look like underneath.
Big difference! I'll get her repainted some day but not in 2010.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
I painted a Rambler American once with rattle cans. It turned out pretty good. The problem was---it was a Rambler American--- I still remember the motto "When you smile in a Rambler, The world laughs at you" 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,269
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From: Ottawa Ontario
Besides, rattle cans have come a long way in the past 20+ years when I was painting beaters with cans of Tremclad!
