mid 80s vette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 112
Likes: 2
From: Martinsville Indiana
St. Jude Donor '13
mid 80s vette
been lookin for a mid 80s vette, do most of those years have a problem with clear coat peeling? I have a c3 and plan on keeping it. I call it a C3 1/2, its a 79, thanks for any info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,333
Likes: 1,143
From: Vermilion OH
If you are going to put the time and effort into wet sanding the clear down to re shoot the clear then you may as well just repaint the car or the section that you are having issues with. i do feel it best to repaint the entire car if there are several areas that have started to peel.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
those mid 80's cars are approaching the 30 year mark. even a well cared for car, or a pampered garage queen, may have paint issues. paint, like most stuff, it's not going to last forever. it's just something you will have to deal with. factor in paint work into the purchase price. if you find an original, mid 80's car with nice, original paint, figure on paying a premium.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 2
From: PA
Any year of any old car as old as even the newest C4 (17+ years now) will have potential paint probs. As said above, count on repainting it...or do like me and find one already repainted.
Don't give up, nice looking ones are out there.
Don't give up, nice looking ones are out there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Mid 80s and early 90s cars had paint issues, all makes and models. In my early 20s I worked at a body shop. I pent most of my time stripping paint off of warranty jobs because of peeling/bubbling. I can still taste the paint. 
Last edited by ch@0s; Nov 12, 2013 at 12:50 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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on the plus side, last summer, I purchased a (36K mile) white (over red) 90 with original paint that is very, very good condition - even the (factory paint) front bumper fascia. they are out there.
BTW, I did pay a premium, but in the overall scheme of things, not that much of a big deal. to me, it was worth it -
BTW, the premium I paid was less than a complete re-spray - much, much less.
BTW, I did pay a premium, but in the overall scheme of things, not that much of a big deal. to me, it was worth it -
BTW, the premium I paid was less than a complete re-spray - much, much less.
Last edited by Joe C; Nov 12, 2013 at 02:32 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 89
From: Kingwood Texas
I had the same problem when I was looking almost everything I looked at had the clear coat peeling? no easy fix just a repaint.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
on the plus side, last summer, I purchased a (36K mile) white (over red) 90 with original paint that is very, very good condition - even the (factory paint) front bumper fascia. they are out there.
BTW, I did pay a premium, but in the overall scheme of things, not that much of a big deal. to me, it was worth it - BTW, the premium I paid was less than a complete re-spray - much, much less.
BTW, I did pay a premium, but in the overall scheme of things, not that much of a big deal. to me, it was worth it -
BTW, the premium I paid was less than a complete re-spray - much, much less.
This is a perfect example.
A lot of people want a great condition car like that for a "cheap" price.
You want a good quality condition car, they are going to cost a little more.
And in most cases, your total cost of ownership over the course of 5 - 10 years will be less than a car that needs work.