Topic: Paint Question
in Forum: C3 Body
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My own opinion: Paint it whatever color you like the best. I think all the new Corvette colors would look great on our C3's. The main thing is select a color that looks right with the interior color. My 75 was originally white, it is now 2003 Anniversary Red and has the original medium saddle interior. I've had some 2003 owners say it looks better on my car then on their's. Unless you are trying to build an NCRS all numbers matching, everything original and correct, I would not hesitate to put any color on it you want. As others have mentioned, don't go for a cheap paint job. Any good body man will charge a fair amount of bucks to block, prime, block, prime, over and over again to get the car straight, then shoot color and clear, wet sand and buff. It's a lot harder to get these glass bodies straight then it is on a steel car. A good quality job will cost over $5,000.00, but is worth every penny.
|UPDATED|5/22/2004 10:57:20 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|5/22/2004 10:57:20 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Newark, CA - USA
Joined: 4/29/2004
Posts: 350
Vette(s): 1969 Corvette 4-speed ZZ-4 crate
Monza Red
Looks great Steve.....very nice!!
Former Member
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Orland Park, IL - USA
Joined: 11/14/2003
Posts: 43
Vette(s): 1973 TT custom pearl orange paint
355 ci, modified Turbo 400, 3.55 rear end, R134a air, balanced & blueprinted custom engine work, deluxe black interior
If you want to wait that long, try getting the paint job done as a "winter project". Unless you've already located someone, maybe sometime spent locating a shop in the summer could pay off. I found most body guys were willing to take the car in late in the fall (or early winter if you're adventurous) and work on it in their "spare" time in exchange for a better price. When I had my '73 done, the artist (unfortunately now retired but he was more than just a body man) "started" on January 18. I didn't get the car back until September 13. In the mean time, he removed all trim (including the T-Top molding), had it media blasted, hand sanded, replaced the front bumper, repaired some minor body cracks in the front and rear, shot the base, three coats of orange, two coats of yellow pearl, two coats of clearcoat (painting all pieces, including the hood, that could be removed, separately), hand buffed out the top clearcoat layer in two stages and charged me $4,600 for everything -- new parts, paint, labor. Since that time, the car has been shown in 11 judged shows and has received 11 awards. I've even had a mechanic ask for the paint codes so he could dupe the job on his '69 Camaro. Three other estimates I got ranged from $7,200 to $12,300 to do the same job. Like I said, if you can stand not having your ride for an extanded period, you just might be able to save yourself some bucks. As one guy told me, "Time's money. The less time you have, the more money you better have." Hope this helps.

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
kstyer said: Mine is going to end up a nice looking driver. It will not be the original color. But it's mine, and it's not going anywhere without me. Do what makes you happy. It's your car. |
amen brother

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
lost in the 60's said: Hey Ken there is a house for sale next door to me. ![]() |
took the words right out of my mouth...

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
73_pearl_orange said: If you want to wait that long, try getting the paint job done as a "winter project". Unless you've already located someone, maybe sometime spent locating a shop in the summer could pay off. I found most body guys were willing to take the car in late in the fall (or early winter if you're adventurous) and work on it in their "spare" time in exchange for a better price. |
I did this with a non-vette.. told the shop id come in after works for an hour or two and on weekends to do the sh*t work. they agreed.. i learned quite a bit, i didnt use up much of their time and got a great paint job..
in Forum: C3 Body
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