Airbrushed flames question -- paint expert needed
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
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From: Middletown, DE
Airbrushed flames question -- paint expert needed
Am looking at a Z on the auction website. It looks to be a great car and potentially a good (affordable for me) deal, being a 2001 with the slightly lower HP.
BUT...
It has flames (airbrushed on according to the current owner). Not the ghost type, either. Very bold and totally not my cup of tea so I'd need to remove them. Question is, is there any way to do so without having to repaint the entire front clip? I don't know whether the clearcoat has to be ruined to get the flames to adhere, or if the process is such that a clever detailer/paint shop can get the shiny stock look back at a reasonable cost. I figure if too expensive let the car go to someone who likes the look rather than being high bidder AND paying to kill the flames.
Please advise -- 5 days left in the auction.
Thanks so much!!!
BUT...
It has flames (airbrushed on according to the current owner). Not the ghost type, either. Very bold and totally not my cup of tea so I'd need to remove them. Question is, is there any way to do so without having to repaint the entire front clip? I don't know whether the clearcoat has to be ruined to get the flames to adhere, or if the process is such that a clever detailer/paint shop can get the shiny stock look back at a reasonable cost. I figure if too expensive let the car go to someone who likes the look rather than being high bidder AND paying to kill the flames.
Please advise -- 5 days left in the auction.
Thanks so much!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Chilliwack B.C.
It will have to be repainted. I had the same issue - had a mural on the bottom of the doors. Go get several quotes from different paint shops. Show them the ad so they know how much of an area they are painting. Maybe you could win the bid, repaint and still be in your budget.
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I too am afraid that the area will have to be repainted. Most likely the painter put the flames on then cleared over them.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
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From: Middletown, DE
You guys all suck!
j/k
That's probably why the "buy it now" price is so low. Well, I'll have to stop at a few paint shops and get their rough estimates -- I would at least hope this is one of the easier respray scenarios, but who knows...
I certainly don't want a MAACO special just to drive a Z06...
Thanks for the quick responses, guys...
j/k
That's probably why the "buy it now" price is so low. Well, I'll have to stop at a few paint shops and get their rough estimates -- I would at least hope this is one of the easier respray scenarios, but who knows...
I certainly don't want a MAACO special just to drive a Z06...
Thanks for the quick responses, guys...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
If you're talking about that silver Z06 with the hideous black/red "flames", then you'll need at least half the car painted, and closer to three quarters. A shame, as the rest of the car seems to be in great shape, according to the description. 
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: page lake powell az
WOW! slow down. most likely the orig. clear was lightly scuffed & the flames painted on in basecoat, followed by a full coat of clear. A careful wet sand down to the O.E. clear & an additional clear coat/sand/buff & your good to go. It would be time consuming for someone who does not do this type of work. I do base / clear paint everyday & would not be real jazzed about doing this. It is doable but a big P.I.T.A!!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
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From: Middletown, DE
Since this would be a DD for 3-4 years it is tempting to do a minimum bid and see what happens.
Affordable "lease" of a Z, in a sense.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
WOW! slow down. most likely the orig. clear was lightly scuffed & the flames painted on in basecoat, followed by a full coat of clear. A careful wet sand down to the O.E. clear & an additional clear coat/sand/buff & your good to go. It would be time consuming for someone who does not do this type of work. I do base / clear paint everyday & would not be real jazzed about doing this. It is doable but a big P.I.T.A!!
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From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
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WOW! slow down. most likely the orig. clear was lightly scuffed & the flames painted on in basecoat, followed by a full coat of clear. A careful wet sand down to the O.E. clear & an additional clear coat/sand/buff & your good to go. It would be time consuming for someone who does not do this type of work. I do base / clear paint everyday & would not be real jazzed about doing this. It is doable but a big P.I.T.A!!
It would be too much trouble for me to try to save it. I would just knock it all down, or scuff what is there and reshoot it. Knocking it all down would be best..but you might have trouble gauranteeing work done on top of a factory paint job and the flame paint job (if you just chose the scuff it and respray over the flames route).
Best to do it right and knock it all the way down. That is gonna cost. Add to it that any body shop that sees you pull up in a Vette will think you have the money to do whatever it takes
$2k sounds reasonable. Maybe $3k. $10k is ridiculous. If they repainted the whole car and color sanded everything (like a show car) then maybe, but otherwise heck no.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
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From: Middletown, DE
I spoke to the current owner. He bought it with the flames and the intention to remove them, but never did. Anyway, his body shop buddies said it was a high-quality flame job and would require a sand-down and respray.
The decision is easy. Make a bid I can feel good about and see what happens...
The decision is easy. Make a bid I can feel good about and see what happens...