The 1989 Corvette convertible restoration thread

Swamp Donkey

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You actually can. It requires fine, fine wet-sanding.
I know how to wetsand, and I know you can fix the clear if it is sagging/ orange peeling, I just dont think you can fix the base if that is where the problem is.
 
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oxrageous

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You aren't going to get orange peel in the base coat, just the clear. Before I put the clear on, I had to fix a couple of issues in the base, including where two drops of sweat splashed. I had to gently sand those areas down and then put on another coat.

It isn't just orange peel in the clear, there are some specs of dirt here and there, a couple of small fisheyes, and one run where I got too generous. All of those flaws will disappear with wet sanding with 1500 & 3000 grit sandpaper, then buffing with a compound and a polish. Sure it's going to take hours, but it will be worth it.

Where you have to be careful is not to sand through the clear to the base.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Fisheyes are just tough to avoid if you aren't running a nice sterile commercial shop with all the right prep material.

I think it looks good.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Isn't that what Maaco is for?
Yeah.... Maaco Schwaab stuff MIGHT even stay attached for a year or two. Or it may peel off in one big sheet. Maaco is famous (probably such that its unlikely they do anything else) for scuffing the paint with a damn plastic pad and often not using primer. And not doing any prep work. Sand paper is expensive ya know.

Hell a lot of times they dont even remove parts or tape everything. You end up with painted weatherstripping or places around trim where you can see the old paint.

The sanding and prep work is where all the labor and money is. It is also where you get a good paint job or a ten footer.

It is the Big Lots of paint shops.
 

oxrageous

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So, I recorded my first ever coat of paint. It was pretty lousy, as my overlapping sucked, etc. However, I got a lot better as I went on. I was nervous as hell.

 

URGatorBait

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surprised you went straight for the body of the car first. I would have done some of the smaller parts and pieces to get comfortable with the sprayer first.
You didn't do bad though.
Some of the issues you may have had in the base coat(s) may have been a product of the environment you were painting it in, not necessarily your technique.
 

oxrageous

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I started color sanding today. So far, so good, and I'm getting rid of most of the flaws and orange peel.
 

Swamp Donkey

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surprised you went straight for the body of the car first. I would have done some of the smaller parts and pieces to get comfortable with the sprayer first.
He has plenty of experience painting, just not autobody paining.
 

oxrageous

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Made a lot of progress today. Have color sanded over half of the car. Wet sand with multiple grits, then rubbing compound, then polishing compound, then swirl remover, etc. Takes hours. It also looks amazing.

IMG_1332.jpg

IMG_1333.jpg

IMG_1334.jpg


I installed the lights and molding on the rear bumper cover and am in the process of bolting it back on....it's starting to look like a real car again.

IMG_1335.jpg

IMG_1336.jpg
 

URGatorBait

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so, I don't remember if you said, but are you upgrading anything with the interior or engine compartment, or just restoring it all to just a cleaned up stock?
 

oxrageous

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so, I don't remember if you said, but are you upgrading anything with the interior or engine compartment, or just restoring it all to just a cleaned up stock?
Everything is largely stock. The only real upgrades are better fuel injectors and a more free-flowing dual exhaust.
 

oxrageous

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Got the rear bumper buttoned up, and installed the tail lights and fuel filler door:

IMG_1337.jpg


Starting working on the drivers door, got the molding and door handle installed:

IMG_1338.jpg
 

cover2

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All kidding aside, looks good and probably was a good experience. Hope you get what you want from it.
 

oxrageous

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Been battling getting the damn front fascia back on....it's by far the biggest b!tch kitty of a job so far.
 

bradgator2

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Been battling getting the damn front fascia back on....it's by far the biggest b!tch kitty of a job so far.

You've inspired to me to attempt to fix something. I'll put up before and after. I'm just going to keep it a secret and post the results when I get to them... I dont feel like listening to all the "recommendations" from the asshats.
 

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