paint process

[Vetman]

I have a 1990 with every possible doc. that exist. It is beautiful in every way, runs perfect with 64,000 miles; except one of the previous owners just had to have a black Z and had a very expensive black paint job done.... everything removed and painted.... (the car is supposed to be Arctic White.) I am going to have it painted to the original color.... my question is should it be striped to bare fiberglass to get an excellent job done?

Also, how is the belt molding on 1990's attached? Some of mine is a little loose. Can I get new replacement? If so, where?

Third question: I live in the state of Washington. Any recommendations of an experienced, quality paint shop in the state.

[randy ransome]

If the black paint that's on it now isn't flaking or doing anything crazy you can block sand the existing paint and paint over it without any problems.
As long as the existing paint is in good shape.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

If the black paint that's on it now isn't flaking or doing anything crazy you can block sand the existing paint and paint over it without any problems.
As long as the existing paint is in good shape.


I agree 100%. As long as the substrate is in good shape, you're good to go. Just scuff it and shoot it after taking it completely apart. Every painted piece that can be removed from the body should be removed before paint. Especially if you're doing an overall color change. Make them remove all the moldings from the panels as well.

[G8nightman]

Car should look like this before repaint.
http://i.imgur.com/mtWR4EH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Nf4tJrk.jpg

[batchman]

I am going to have it painted to the original color.... my question is should it be striped to bare fiberglass to get an excellent job done?

If you leave the black it will remain a color change car, albeit changed back.

If you go down to the base it will simply be a re-paint.

At some point a color change will always reveal itself.

It's a fine point for sure.

Good luck with the choice!
- Jeff

[WVZR-1]

I would think that a 64K mile car with excellent paint presently might deserve to be left alone. You mention "expensive" and that would seem to hint quality!

You will not be able to likely remove the moldings without damaging a few. The weather-strips are going to give you fits I'm sure. As already has been mentioned there's no such thing as removing "all traces" of what's done.

I wouldn't get very excited about doing it and if you imagine "inexpensive" it will not be - the cost of materials will astound you and if you're looking to remove "all traces" I doubt it's possible.

I'd think a better use of the dollars might be to buy a "stable mate" in white and display the two as a "before and after"!

I'm going to guess this one stays "BLACK"!

[Blue Flame Restorations]

It's going to be a re-paint either way you go. If you can do the paint prep yourself, you'll save a bunch. You can get a quality paint job (masking, laying the paint and buff) for under $4k. You just need to prep it yourself.

The biggest part of the job for you will be removing the doors, if you've never done it. It's not hard. You do need to remove all of the belt moldings though. This will require the front bumper cover to be removed from the inner structure. I've never broke a molding yet. Maybe I'm lucky?

Don't be intimidated.

[Vetman]

Intimidated…humm, well I was intimidated before I saw the photos and certainly am now. I was going to have it all done by a shop. Obviously, a couple of you own shops and do this kind of work. What would you charge approximately, to complete the job totally yourselves?:)

[Blue Flame Restorations]

The thing for you to do is find one of the young, hungry body men who does these kind of things on the side at home. I used to be one of these guys years ago. You have to be careful to find the right guy with references.

My prices would not be in line with most other shops, as I do mainly 53-55 Corvettes and my paint job is well over the $10k mark. The ZR-1's aren't worth 53 money and it's just hard to justify spending over $10k on a paint job.

At the moment, my shop is also full.

Talk to some shops and see what you can get the job done for. You may be surprised.

[randy ransome]

The thing for you to do is find one of the young, hungry body men who does these kind of things on the side at home. I used to be one of these guys years ago. You have to be careful to find the right guy with references.

My prices would not be in line with most other shops, as I do mainly 53-55 Corvettes and my paint job is well over the $10k mark. The ZR-1's aren't worth 53 money and it's just hard to justify spending over $10k on a paint job.

At the moment, my shop is also full.

Talk to some shops and see what you can get the job done for. You may be surprised.

What he's stating is your best bet and it is the truth.
A top quality paint job with a shop doing everything will be expensive...10 to 15 thousand easy. Just not worth it on this car IMO.

[Z06scentair]

Just to add a little detail to the paint.

Paint materials alone in a brand name quality product such as PPG, Sikkens, DUPONT, just to name a few will cost >$1500.

As stated above to get a c4 done correctly, be prepared for figures in 5k-7k range for a nice job.

We installed our own paint booth rear draft style on the back of the property with anticipation of doing our own cars one day. We have always done our own fabrication, body work. The reason why we do our own prep work is this. If something happens to the paint in months or years....it's on us, we did the foundation work, not the painter.

Great painters are extremely hard to come by.....maybe not hard to come by, rather hard to rely on.

But one thing be certain.....A great paint job is in the preparation prior to the spray.

[Vetman]

Well, you are all right. Guess if I am going to spend 10,000, I might as well sell and get one that is original….. or spend the 10,000 and have Marc do the 510 HP. job on the engine…..:-D:-D:-D

[phrogs]

I'm also pretty sure your state uses water borne paint now. That cost a litte more since they had to upgrade their booths with the correct drying system. Heat and old style booth do nothing to dry water based paint any faster than evaporation the need small venturies little fans to dry the paint.

Thanks EPA!

I could do a color change for a little less than 10k but it's not worth it now on a ZR-1, good paint is worth More than a car in original color at least it should be since they have dropped to the prices we see now.

[Tyler Townsley]

Ever think about a wrap? I am in the process of doing a 59 T-Bird and am going to have it wrapped by a friend of mine. Granted he is so good race teams have sent a car from Switzerland when he did not have time to fly there and do 3 cars and an 18 wheeler. He has been doing designed wraps for high end race cars for 10 years and has a few rules.
1. Use the best products. He did 3 Ferraris in a chrome material $25,000 per car and they took it off after the races.
2. Make sure the car is clean and straight.
3. It takes 2 days, he will fly in do the car and fly home. You pay the airfare and place to stay.
4. Estimate on material and installation is $3500 up depending on material cost.

In the end if you do not like it you can always take it off. He has done many wraps for dealers who want a car for a specific event and color and can return it to original afterword's.
When I was there a few weeks ago he showed me a clear wrap that made everything under it look like 3 D, it was amazing. He usually uses a product call crystal clear over the wrap material. He does designs prints on the material and wraps the car himself. He uses 2 printers for the design wrap, his older printer cost him $35,000 and he just bought a $85,000 to do additional work.

Tyler

Tyler

[We Gone]

Tyler,

The clear wrap sounds very interesting, any idea on how long it will hold up or if it stays on for a long time period will it it effect the paint?

[Vetman]

G8nightman, Let me know how your 4500 dollar job turns out. Are you changing color?

[daviddu79]

I am a painter and to complete in France. It takes between 3,000 to 5,000 euros

[WVZR-1]

I am a painter and to complete in France. It takes between 3,000 to 5,000 euros

Is that in a "shop environment" or is that you doing this yourself "for hire"?
That's USD 4100 - 5500. In your country what product would be used for the typical refinish? If this is doing it yourself for hire what would be the approximate costs for the materials and product?

[G8nightman]

G8nightman, Let me know how your 4500 dollar job turns out. Are you changing color?

I will post pictures the PO changed the color. Im going back to original.

[xlr8nflorida]

Why would you change it from the existing color if its a beautiful paint job?

What do you gain? Nothing.

It's still going be non original paint.

Save your $$ and put it towards another ZR-1 or modify this one with some headers, porting & polishing, exhaust, Chip, and 409 Gears.

That being said, its your $, do what makes you happy.

[daviddu79]

Is that in a "shop environment" or is that you doing this yourself "for hire"?
That's USD 4100 - 5500. In your country what product would be used for the typical refinish? If this is doing it yourself for hire what would be the approximate costs for the materials and product?


it takes 1,000 to 1,500 dollars produit.La paint is quite expensive. Then cabin rental of $ 200 paint.

[G8nightman]

Why would you change it from the existing color if its a beautiful paint job?

What do you gain? Nothing.

It's still going be non original paint.

Save your $$ and put it towards another ZR-1 or modify this one with some headers, porting & polishing, exhaust, Chip, and 409 Gears.

That being said, its your $, do what makes you happy.

At least it will be the right color.

[Z06scentair]

At least it will be the right color.

Good Decision!