Hi, I am located in Germany :-(( and I am starting to renew my early 86 C4. the car was in Italy and has been still for long time beetwen 1991 and 1997 due that I was not living anymore in Italy. once in a while during this period was recharged the battery, changed the oil, and started so that the engine runs for little time. since 3 years I took the car in Germany and I had some problems that I consider not big, once I had to change the generator, battery goes often death ( but I still use not toke care of the car and leave it standing for months). last year sameonr broke the bronze roof :-( and water went in the tank during hevy rain, result I hade to empty the tank and clean the injector to get the engine working again. now after the history let start with the questions.

actually there is a little crack in the windshield but I do not find the part in any corvette parts catalog..... how came ? how to find it ? is it difficolt to change it ??

tha paint of the hood is white (but the original color was red), I found a guy who can repaint the car but I think he does not have experience with fiberglass work, he said he want to scratch off all the old paint, is this the right way ? how can I find the perfect matching original paint ? is there a RAL code for it (RAL is a way to rebuild paint adding color to the white paint, I do not know if exist also in US) and overall how can I find information about the original paint ?

Due that shipment to US and back for rebuilding a top is more than the top value does anyone knows if there is sameone in Europe who does this service, I would also accept to rebuild it without bronze, so to paint it to match the car color.

sometime the car does not start and I must lock it, wait 2 minutes and unlock it, then it starts.


Any other suggestion in how to good restore a car is welcome !!!!!!

I aprreciate your patience in reading my long story

Thanks is advance

Roberto

robser@aol.com

 

Roberto, I too, have an early 86. First let me address the no start issue. You are having a problem with the VATs anti theft system. There is a little "pellet" in the ingnition key that has a specific electrical resistance. When you insert the key in the ignition, there is a contact made with this pellet , that reads the resistance. If the resistance is not correct, or poor contact is made, the VATs system will not allow you to start the car. If you have a spare ignition key, you can try it. Sometimes the keys wear out or the device in the ignition lock wears out. There is a way to bypass the system that is sold here by several vendors on the forum. Unfortunately , the only source for a replacement key is a Chevy dealer. You need to measure the existing resistance across the "pellet" to see what yours is and then order that specific resistance.
Secondly, do not let anyone paint your vette who does not have specifc knowlege in that technology. Paint removal is best accomplished by sanding (very carefully). Paint strippers are likely to damage the Gel coat if not done right and then only with a stripping chemical that is made especially for plastic cars. The risk is too great for damage especially if done by someone with little experience.
I can't help with the top or windshield question.
Lastly, Letting you Vette sit for long storage is not good. Also not good, is to crank it up for a short time whithout a full warm up of the coolant and oil. You need to drive that car!!!

 

thanks for your answer, I am renewing it because I want to drive it in the future. I spoke today with the guy who is going to do the job, he told me he already bought all what is needed from a special shop where they sale also painting for boat, as far as I understood he is going to scratch off the transparent wich is on the paint and then to put a special product that stay under the paint, is there any book where are written information in how to paint a corvette ?? tha guy told me that he cannot sand it because otherwise the sand would go all over the car (??????) I am a little confused.

thanks again

Roberto

 

The right way to have your car painted is to sand it. Yes you get debree all over it wile sanding but after sanding it you use special chemicals to rid the surface of, sand, oil, ect. Find someone else to paint it. The guy sounds like he's never painted a fiberglass CAR before. Not sure how to find the paint code. If you bring it to someone that knows what there doing they can do a color match. Over here the shop's use a special camera, take the picture of your car, there mach the color and mix the paint. My friend that paints cars did my car this way and it came out perfect.