Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

Sun 23 Oct 11 20:33

Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

Hello all,

Does anyone know what the right primers and fibreglass repair materials are for a 1986 Corvette.

Reading up on it - when Chevrolet made the change in fibreglass materials to SMC in the late '70's - it seems they needed slightly special treatment (i.e. not the same as common fibreglass).

I'm likely going to take mine right back to the fibreglass, and even if I did get down to the original primer coat, there is a crack i want to repair too, so that will definitely need re-primering. I was also wondering what resin/filler material people use on the C4 or similar - it's only about an inch and a half long at the bottom rear edge of the clamshell.

Any suggestion for (ideally mail order) suppliers greatly appreciated. I'll be going 2K on the pain system.

--------------------
1995 Corvette LT1 6-Speed Coupe
1990 Japanese thingy (MX5)
2007 Honda UFO

Previous
1986 Corvette Z51 Coupe

Mon 24 Oct 11 12:48

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

Fran,

If your not in a hurry, check out some of the specialists at the NEC in November. I think there were one or two there worth chatting to last year. Edd China made a neat job repairing the broken fibreglass on the De Lorean recently on TV. He's there too.

Couple of months ago, there was an interesting article in Practical Classics by a guy who restores classic cars professionally, but only uses mixed aerosols to paint them due to the better control of spray he claims the cans have. Slightly dearer, but offset by much less hassle, not having to do it all at once, and you don't need so much space or equipment. I was tempted to get a professional paintjob myself a while back, but the cost is prohibitive and actually dearer than a vinyl wrap!

Mon 24 Oct 11 16:51

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

Subscribe to the international corvette group on Facebook. There was some talk on painting on there a couple of weeks ago

Apparently you should try not to go through the gel coat as this can cause blistering afterwards as trapped solvent surfaces and reacts with the paint. There were some other tips from sprayers but tbh I only skimmed through them as I'm not looking to spray a car!!

--------------------
Black 2008 C6 Z06
=============================
Haibeck 368ci 530hp ZR1
Movit brakes
4:10 Rear Gears
Doug Rippie suspension
#1281
www.corvetteclips.co.uk
UK Country Dir. ZR1netRegistry.

Mon 24 Oct 11 18:13

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

Fran feel free to give us a call we will gladly talk to you with regards some of the repair processes and paintwork do's and dont's for corvettes our number is 01279 441133

--------------------
nothing to prove

Mon 24 Oct 11 22:36

Thanks for the advice chaps - all good. I'll be making a phone call within the next few days!

--------------------
1995 Corvette LT1 6-Speed Coupe
1990 Japanese thingy (MX5)
2007 Honda UFO

Previous
1986 Corvette Z51 Coupe

Tue 25 Oct 11 08:02

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

I've added you to the international Corvette group on Facebook.

--------------------
CCCUK & NPCC member
www.jonnybens.com - www.npcc.be - www.corvette-fame.com

Tue 25 Oct 11 10:15

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

Fran I'll find the link with you over the weekend.

--------------------
Black 2008 C6 Z06
=============================
Haibeck 368ci 530hp ZR1
Movit brakes
4:10 Rear Gears
Doug Rippie suspension
#1281
www.corvetteclips.co.uk
UK Country Dir. ZR1netRegistry.

Wed 26 Oct 11 12:03

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

CUSTOM EXOTICS wrote (View Post):Fran feel free to give us a call we will gladly talk to you with regards some of the repair processes and paintwork do's and dont's for corvettes our number is 01279 441133

I may have to give you a ring as well. Like Francis, my C4 hood needs a respray and although I have some gear, I have no courage/skill/testicles! My hood is currently off the car, if I could get it to you what approximate cost am I looking at to respray it?

Thanks,

Ray

--------------------
Ray Quayle
'86 Indy PaceCar, 4+3 (6895 of 7315)
NCM Founder #2896
NCM Lifetime #672
Graduate of Gordon's School
CCCUK #961

Ray's Corvette Page

Thu 27 Oct 11 11:24

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

Ray give us a call or a number we can call you on its never as easy as just spraying a panel

--------------------
nothing to prove

Thu 27 Oct 11 18:27

Re: Painting a C4 - anyone know the right materials to use?

CUSTOM EXOTICS wrote (View Post):Ray give us a call or a number we can call you on its never as easy as just spraying a panel

Thanks, that's what I figured. I'll give you a ring.

--------------------
Ray Quayle
'86 Indy PaceCar, 4+3 (6895 of 7315)
NCM Founder #2896
NCM Lifetime #672
Graduate of Gordon's School
CCCUK #961

Ray's Corvette Page