Topic: Paint
in Forum: C3 Body
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Former Member
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Riverhead, NY - USA
Joined: 12/13/2004
Posts: 63
Vette(s): 1981 Cream exterior, camel interior. Looks great, runs good.
Hey Guys,
I have an '81 Beige Coupe and the paint is cracking like crazy! I live in NY and it stays outside, but covered everyday. During the winter I keep the snow off it constantly. However, it seems to have so many hair line cracks. They seem to be more noticeable during the summer. What's up with that?

Thanks,
81 Blessing
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Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Welcome to the world of plastic cars!
The paint on our cars is suceptable to "crazing" because the body flexes, but the paint don't. The fiberglass also expands/contracts differently than steel panels. Of course, over time, any paint will start to deteriorate, even the high dollar stuff.
If your car has to sit out in the cold a lot, that could accellerate the crazing, as does having to sit in the hot sun all the time...even with a cover.(The covers can't control the temperature.
)
The paint will also start to "shrink" as it ages, and this will create the crazing/cracking. I've seen original paint, older cars, that look like they were painted with "crackle" paint, they have so much crazing goin on!
The only real solution for the problem is repainting, unfortunately. If you can live with the cracks in the paint, that's ok, too! We call it "Character"!!

The paint on our cars is suceptable to "crazing" because the body flexes, but the paint don't. The fiberglass also expands/contracts differently than steel panels. Of course, over time, any paint will start to deteriorate, even the high dollar stuff.
If your car has to sit out in the cold a lot, that could accellerate the crazing, as does having to sit in the hot sun all the time...even with a cover.(The covers can't control the temperature.

The paint will also start to "shrink" as it ages, and this will create the crazing/cracking. I've seen original paint, older cars, that look like they were painted with "crackle" paint, they have so much crazing goin on!
The only real solution for the problem is repainting, unfortunately. If you can live with the cracks in the paint, that's ok, too! We call it "Character"!!

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Riverhead, NY - USA
Joined: 12/13/2004
Posts: 63
Vette(s): 1981 Cream exterior, camel interior. Looks great, runs good.
Hey Adams',
Wow, Adams' your paint looks grrrrreat! Makes mine look like a road map!
Didn't know about the "shrinking and expanding". DAG!! Now I know. I'll at least keep it out of the sun as much as possible and save up for that paint job. Maybe waxing might help a little.

Also, while I've got you, are power steering leaks common with our babies? Thanks for the info.
P.S.
(LOL for the "crazing")

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
PS leaks are fairly common, mostly on the steering cylinder, and control valve assy. They do tend to "weep" a bit as they get older. They are re-sealable, tho.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Old Harley owners would call those leaks "MARKING THEIR SPOT"
Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35
in Forum: C3 Body
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