PATINA CORVETTES (old paint)
The following users liked this post:
esema (09-22-2020)
03-18-2015, 07:34 AM
#82
My problem is that there are cracks in the paint, mostly around the hood opening. I had it under a "good" cover one winter before I had a garage and it was covered with snow. When I took the cover off, there were cracks on it. I wish it could be taken care of with a clay bar. I'm afraid I'm going to have to repaint. But, original color and maybe even lacquer. Dupont gave me the mixing ratios many years ago.
03-18-2015, 07:52 AM
#83
Team Owner
A driver quality paint job is one that reflects what the factory originally did. Simple as that.
Corvettes that are painted today are by and large extremely over-restored. These cars never left the factory looking that way.
Now I don't have a problem with anyone that wants a perfect paint job and is willing to pay the price for it. The problem is the painter that won't take your job unless you're willing to spend $20,000.00!!
I like to drive my Vettes but I don't want to sweat driving a car with $20k paint. For those that can fine, I can't.
Corvettes that are painted today are by and large extremely over-restored. These cars never left the factory looking that way.
Now I don't have a problem with anyone that wants a perfect paint job and is willing to pay the price for it. The problem is the painter that won't take your job unless you're willing to spend $20,000.00!!
I like to drive my Vettes but I don't want to sweat driving a car with $20k paint. For those that can fine, I can't.
Most people that want driver quality paint jobs (they say) have no idea what a factory lacquer job looks like. They would be grossed out by the duller shine, "knocked down" door jamb gloss, and what have you on a car fresh from the factory. People spend big $$$ to emulate a factory finish for judging -- it costs way more than a 'scuff and shoot' job...
They want shiny, pretty paint for cheap.
I would put either of my cars up against a $20K paint job proudly -- and I do nearly every weekend at Old Town!
The '61 paint was $7K in 2008 and the '63 paint was $10K in 2009. Will they pass judging - hell no!
Both jobs were complete disassembly, strip (minor body work), prime, spray and reassembly - I didn't lift a finger except to write a check.
And, my friend, I drive the snot out of my cars...
You can shop around and get a great, reasonably priced paint job if your bodywork is decent, you have some negotiation skills and you don't have to call it "driver quality".
I'm fine with 'patina'; especially on true survivor cars. When your paint approaches the 'ratty' category; patina is just an excuse to drive a car with a bad paint job IMO...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 03-18-2015 at 07:19 PM.
03-18-2015, 12:12 PM
#84
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
SDvette.
My problem is that there are cracks in the paint, mostly around the hood opening. I had it under a "good" cover one winter before I had a garage and it was covered with snow. When I took the cover off, there were cracks on it. I wish it could be taken care of with a clay bar. I'm afraid I'm going to have to repaint. But, original color and maybe even lacquer. Dupont gave me the mixing ratios many years ago.
My problem is that there are cracks in the paint, mostly around the hood opening. I had it under a "good" cover one winter before I had a garage and it was covered with snow. When I took the cover off, there were cracks on it. I wish it could be taken care of with a clay bar. I'm afraid I'm going to have to repaint. But, original color and maybe even lacquer. Dupont gave me the mixing ratios many years ago.
PRAISE THEM !!!
03-18-2015, 01:08 PM
#86
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Poway CA
Posts: 4,846
Received 1,295 Likes
on
560 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
SDvette.
My problem is that there are cracks in the paint, mostly around the hood opening. I had it under a "good" cover one winter before I had a garage and it was covered with snow. When I took the cover off, there were cracks on it. I wish it could be taken care of with a clay bar. I'm afraid I'm going to have to repaint. But, original color and maybe even lacquer. Dupont gave me the mixing ratios many years ago.
My problem is that there are cracks in the paint, mostly around the hood opening. I had it under a "good" cover one winter before I had a garage and it was covered with snow. When I took the cover off, there were cracks on it. I wish it could be taken care of with a clay bar. I'm afraid I'm going to have to repaint. But, original color and maybe even lacquer. Dupont gave me the mixing ratios many years ago.
I'm a big believer in doing what will make YOU happy on YOUR car... but you can never "un-do" the removal of the original paint.
Last edited by SDVette; 03-18-2015 at 01:17 PM.
03-18-2015, 02:18 PM
#88
Most people that want driver quality paint jobs (they say) have no idea what a factory lacquer job looks like. They would be grossed out by the duller shine, "knocked down" door jamb gloss, and what have you on a car fresh from the factory. People spend big $$$ to emulate a factory finish for judging -- it costs way more than a 'scuff and shoot' job...
I drive my cars a lot more than just to a cruise in or to a show on a weekend and I'm not interested in having my cars judged either. But I like to have my cars look as close to original as possible. But I'm not up for driving them if I have to worry about it. I'm sure that if someone wants their Acura, Lexus or whatever painted it's not going to cost $20k. I doubt that it would cost that much to paint a daily driver 92 Vette either, but the second you mention that you have a classic Corvette the price skyrockets even if it's never been hit.
Last edited by Bowlerdude; 03-18-2015 at 02:31 PM.
03-18-2015, 02:34 PM
#89
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Washington Michigan
Posts: 38,899
Received 1,859 Likes
on
1,102 Posts
Here's my "patina" car - '69 Z/28, 100% original lacquer paint; aside from a "CE" short block installed in June, 1970, it's untouched and exactly as it was built except for the battery, exhaust, and tires. 
03-18-2015, 02:45 PM
#90
Hope you aren't "grossed out by the duller shine". lol
03-18-2015, 05:06 PM
#92
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Greenville, Indiana
Posts: 26,118
Received 1,844 Likes
on
1,398 Posts
03-18-2015, 05:48 PM
#93
Race Director
Beautiful car………I love the 1969 Z/28. You need to also show your 1967 Corvette, as it is also a very beautiful looking car.
Both are excellent choices.
Larry
03-18-2015, 07:00 PM
#96
No plans to paint it in my lifetime!
It does get a lot of comments, most all of them positive.
I was at a show a few weeks ago where they parked me next to some C6s. Near the end of the show the guy next to me remarked, “I’m really surprised how many people walk right by our shiny cars and stop at yours and start up a conversation.”
People respond to patina.
