Has anyone here painted their Vette themselves? I am goint to attempt(yes attempt ) it this spring. It isn't a show car nor restoration, it's a driver, so I'll shoot it myself for now. My question is where did you obtain your paint? I would like to go with the original Buckskin(finally decided). I am looking for ideas on where to purchase original colors.

All G.M. cars were painted with DuPont lacquer in the good old days,any autobody supply shop that handles DuPont paint should be able to mix it for you,in quarts or gallons,no problem. Ron 78

The big problem in painting yourself is the facility and equipment to produce an acceptable product. I have painted from my garage with mixed results. My water seperator worked fine on the limited surface of a motorcycle, but failed on a van. The van turned out great until the seperator couldn't keep up and I ended up with spots where water got into the line. It didn't matter, as it was an old rusted work truck, but could have been a disaster if a vette. My suggestion would be to find a Macco or Earl Scheib type paint facility that will accomodate you. I was told they will shoot any paint you bring them by a fellow I used to work with. He had an old Gremlin painted a two-tone gray that came out super. You could spend more for upgraded equipment than they charge to paint you car. Just a suggestion to consider.

Thanks for the quick replies

I painted my 68 firebird in my garage, using dupont bc/cc. It came out pretty good, except for the dust spots. I used a turbine HVLP setup. If you go to maaco or earl sheib, bring your own paint, and mask it yourself. They buy the cheapest paint on the planet and spend about 5 minutes masking, and it shows. Joe

www.photohost.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16806

|UPDATED|11/23/2003 4:51:09 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I am planning on shooting it myself. Though I have never painted a car, I have painted using the same equiptment, hence I say "attempt". I have seen some very respectable paint jobs come frome some of the most un-paint friendly environments. Though the painters were obviously better than I am, I will be painting in a fresh new garage, so I am confident of a acceptable finish. If not, I'll just have to start over. But thats how you learn.

My friend and I are going to paint our cars his 67 and my 71. Not lacqure though going to paint it the color then clearcoat. It's all in the prep. I heard there is a self leveling base coat that is pretty thick but if done right the paint will look like glass. But you need a diffrent gun to shoot it . Our project will start in a few weeks . I'll keep you informed

Thanks that would be great. I believe I am going with acrylic enamel w/hardener. not sure about clear yet though. Looking forward to hearing more on your projects

I agree, it's all in the prep work. For first time painters, bc/cc is the easiest and most forgiving. Acrylic enamel is very hard to spray, especially metallics.
http://www.autobodystore.com/
Browse thru this website and ask them questions on the bulletin board:
http://www.autobodystore.com/cgi-bin/config.pl?index
they are very helpful. Joe

my car was repainted when I bought it it had a lot of dirt and orange peel under the florecent garage lights but it had a lot of clear coat so we wet sanded and buffed it good and now it looks great

|UPDATED|11/25/2003 4:25:28 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|