C4 paint issues
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
I've had that problem on numerous Vettes. Had a ZR-1 stripped and painted several times because of this issue, and still had the problem. Ended up throwing away a hood on a 94 after three tries. I've also experienced the problem with C3s and C5s. With the C3's it seemed to be a problem that appeared after chemically stripping. Somehow the release agent "out gasses" in the SMC and causes it, or at least that is what I've been told. No one seems to have the answer. In the case of the ZR-1, it hadn't been stripped, it was the factory paint in this instance, the rear quarters. A shop did the work, and the factory rep flew out , and couldn't make it stop. You can Google the problem, or use the search function here...its been discussed many times.
Last edited by zr1fred; May 14, 2017 at 04:49 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 275
From: Naples FL
The initial paint facility at Bowling Green was horrible. My clear coat peeled off almost immedtely.
Richard Newton
Almost Useless Tech Information
Richard Newton
Almost Useless Tech Information
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
This occurs due to contaminants being absorbed into the smc. Then after being painted it outgasses causing the bubble. Smc is like a spong and absorbs. The affected area needs to be ground out and repaired or replace the panel. A lot of 84 cars had this issue from the factory.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 580
From: Langley BC
This occurs due to contaminants being absorbed into the smc. Then after being painted it outgasses causing the bubble. Smc is like a spong and absorbs. The affected area needs to be ground out and repaired or replace the panel. A lot of 84 cars had this issue from the factory.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
You can use paint stripper. As a matter of fact I know DUB in the paint section uses it all the time. You just want to use it in small sections at a time, on the paint, and once the paint is gone keep it off of the bare smc. You don't want to leave it on there for a long time. Rinse, then block sand the remaining residue off. Actually the best way to remove the bulk of the paint is with a razor blade.
Last edited by Dt86; May 14, 2017 at 05:53 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 580
From: Langley BC
You can use paint stripper. As a matter of fact I know DUB in the paint section uses it all the time. You just want to use it in small sections at a time, on the paint, and once the paint is gone keep it off of the bare smc. You don't want to leave it on there for a long time. Rinse, then block sand the remaining residue off. Actually the best way to remove the bulk of the paint is with a razor blade.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 580
From: Langley BC
SMC or sheet molded composite is not the same as the fiberglass used in older Corvettes. I assume the chemical compounds used to make it etc... are different but I don't know the exact details. For the average enthusiast my guess is just knowing its different and using SMC resin etc for any repairs should be sufficient. But I'll let more knowledgeable people chime in on that.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Technically SMC is fiberglass. There are various kinds of fiberglass. SMC differs in appearance, it has a shinny marbleized look as opposed to the rough sprayed look of boats, and the press molded style of the early Corvettes. It uses a process where the release agent is in the resin as opposed to sprayed onto the mold. Here is a better explanation...
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7762808_smc-fiberglass.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7762808_smc-fiberglass.html
