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Topic: Repair & paint chips & scratches

in Forum: C3 Body

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (1/8)
8/9/10 9:11am

Dan777
Former Member
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Joined: 6/27/2010
Posts: 21

I’m looking for help in learning how to:

1) Repair small chips in the fiberglass (there is no cracked glass)

2) Repair paint chips and scratches that are down to the glass.

3) Paint these repaired areas without repainting the entire car

I have roughly 50 of these chips and scratches.

This is a 1970 with original Donnybrooke Green. Is this color paint available? If so, is it possible to do some touch-up painting on these repaired areas and blend the paint in with the original paint? Is airbrushing the way to go with these small touch-up jobs? I’m going to sell this car so I don’t want to repaint it. If the repaired and painted areas don’t blend in well with the original paint, am I better off doing nothing?

Is there a book, DVD, internet site, etc. that would be a good beginner’s guide to these types of repairs?

OR - to get a more professionally looking job, should I have a Corvette body shop do these touch-ups for me?

Thanks.

Dan

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (2/8)
8/9/10 12:18pm

ebo

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Dan thats a pretty loaded question. If the chips are small you may find some touch up paint in a bottle from a Vette supply house and fill the chips. Then a light polishing compound can help you blend.

Any air brushing or spraying / blending will depend on the color match, is paint faded, is it metalic. Some time a blend for a small chip or scratch looks like the whole panel was damaged when finished if paint does not match.

I'd start with a profesional estimate, then make your decision.

Good luck.

ebo

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ebo

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (3/8)
8/9/10 3:28pm

Dan777
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Joined: 6/27/2010
Posts: 21

I also have some larger chips in the glass that will need some filler(?). I don't know if I should attempt to tackle that or not.

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (4/8)
8/9/10 6:16pm

ebo

A quarter size patch will be a pancake size blend. A real good paint job could bring a good selling price. If the car is in good shape with no past history of body repair you may want to leave it up to the new buyer. They may rather see the real deal before they think something may be hidden by the new paint. I myself would like it as is, but some want a turn key beauty. The estimate will tell you if the price is right......

Let us know how you make out, cause now we have to know Wink

ebo

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ebo

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (5/8)
8/9/10 6:30pm

ranger3

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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

I agree with all of Ebo's points. In my opinion, unless you have a professional attempt to mix the touch up paint, your repairs will be very noticable. I did some minor fill and airbrushing on my 75 and it turned out great, but the color was easy to match and the damage was minor. Again, it's hard to say without seeing the damage, but with what you are describing as "in the glass" I would not attempt it unless I had a lot of experience.

Hope this helps.

Scott

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (6/8)
8/9/10 9:03pm

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6833

I'm in the process of doing it to my Vette right now. Again. I do it every two or three years.

The key is to have an exact color match. With an older car and original paint, your best bet is to take it to a body shop that had a computer that can match the paint on the area that needs the work. See what they charge for a match and a small sample.

Here is my procedure for chips and small scratches:

1. remove the wax and clean out the chip

2. with a tooth pick, put a small dab of paint in the chip

3. let the paint dry

4. repeat as necessary to fill the hole above the surrounding surface

5. now you have a choice to get the paint level to the surrounding area. I have used all three. One is to use a chemical that softens the new paint but does not effect the old paint. when the paint is reduced to a small dot, you use another chemical to stop the process. Then you just wax it. Or you could cover it with a clear coat if it was painted with clear coat. The second method is to use a razor blade to skive off the top of the new paint, without scratching the old paint. The third method is to block sand with wet sandpaper until the paint is level. I start with 1000, then go to 1500 and finish with 2000. This will leave the area dull. You will then need to use rubbing compound followed by polishing compound to bring back the luster. I use an orbital polisher.

6. Finish up with a good wax.

I have never had to fix a large hole, so I'm not sure if filler is right of if you need something else.

Take it to a professional and get an estimate. I paint $600 several years ago to have a body shop paint my front bumper. Looked like new when they were done.

Good luck.

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (7/8)
8/21/10 6:58pm

Dan777
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Joined: 6/27/2010
Posts: 21

Thanks guys,

Yea, I think I will hold off for now. Maybe get a professional estimate to do touch-ups. I certainly don't want to mess it up. But I will definitely leave the new paint job for the new owner.

Dan

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Repair & paint chips & scratches (8/8)
8/22/10 10:41am

2tone82vette

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Newton, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Indy Pace Car. All original. A true survivor. 2nd owner Only 300 miles.

Joined: 1/26/2010
Posts: 113

From what I have encountered with body shops they don't want to be bothered with the small repair and will usually quote you a price for the whole panel, small repair on the fender would be for the whole fender.

I too would purchase a car as is and have it done myself.

Best of luck!

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