LT5 Lettering Refresher - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

TealZR1 · 04-23-2018

Anyone have any special techniques to repaint the lettering on the LT5 besides a very small brush and steady hands? Thought about painters taping them up as close as possible, than spray painting and immediately cleaning up with a citrus wipe any overspray before drying occurred. The original enamel should not me harmed with the option.
Would like to refresh them. Thanks!

spork2367 · 04-23-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by TealZR1

Anyone have any special techniques to repaint the lettering on the LT5 besides a very small brush and steady hands? Thought about painters taping them up as close as possible, than spray painting and immediately cleaning up with a citrus wipe any overspray before drying occurred. The original enamel should not me harmed with the option.
Would like to refresh them. Thanks!

I thought about using my vinyl cutter to cut high temp vinyl for it. I just have to take some time and draw it up in autocad and tweak as necessary.

B17 Crew · 04-23-2018

What about using a liquid mask, such as what model builders use? It’s used to mask-off areas they wish to protect from overspray/paint. Liquid mask can be applied with a brush. Once its dry, spray paint letters, when painting is complete, the liquid mask just peels away.

Link to liquid mask:
https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/div/div3000.htm

B17Crew

WARP TEN · 04-24-2018

As I recall, the factory just used high temp black barbeque paint. Don't know how they applied it though. Probably some sort of mask. --Bob

GOLDCYLON · 04-24-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by WARP TEN

As I recall, the factory just used high temp black barbeque paint. Don't know how they applied it though. Probably some sort of mask. --Bob

Stillwater had a masking template and literally sprayed over the letters back and forth a couple of times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlTOfK0_INE

In the above video you can see the template which was lowered onto the top of the plenum about 3:21 and the hi temp bbq temp black paint applied

tiegsd · 04-24-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by WARP TEN

As I recall, the factory just used high temp black barbeque paint. Don't know how they applied it though. Probably some sort of mask. --Bob

Hah! That's classic.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

TealZR1 · 04-24-2018

thanks to all who responded - will try the liquid mask.

Wonder how much that factory template would go for now?!!

GOLDCYLON · 04-24-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by TealZR1

thanks to all who responded - will try the liquid mask.

Wonder how much that factory template would go for now?!!

Lol if it was available we could buy it and treat it like the Stanley Cup teammates do after a win. JELLO 4 Cam 32 Valves letter shooters from member to member lol. GC

Paul Workman · 04-25-2018

The mask looks interesting; might give it a try.

I found using an artist's brush and acetone (aka fingernail polish remover) was the trick (for me).

After painting the recessed cavities and before the paint completely dried, stretching an old T-shirt dampened with the polish remover over my index finger, cut a perfect line between the flat surface and the vertical edges of the letters.

By avoiding much as possible getting too much paint smeared on the flat surfaces, I was able to paint the letters easily and quickly - knowing I could cut the letters with the acetone as a last step. Forget about trying to cut the letters with a steady hand and the atrist's brush: takes FOREVER! And, it was near impossible to cut the letters cleanly. Just paint 'em and cut 'em later is the ticket!

Bob Eyres · 04-25-2018

Cool video, I wonder if that guy, briskly spraying those letters almost thirty years ago, could envision us old geezers today, our hands shaking, trying to paint them with a tiny brush..

Here's a laugh. On the YouTube site, next to that video, check out the clips discussing the new LT5. I saw two that use a pic of "our" old four cam LT5 to stand in for a picture of the new motor.
Well, if you don't have video of the new killer DOHC engine, pull a pic of the old one out of the archives. After all, it is the best looking Chevy engine of the last fifty years..

You can bet that the new one won't look nearly as good, more like Tupperware.

04-23-2018	#1
TealZR1 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 51	LT5 Lettering Refresher Anyone have any special techniques to repaint the lettering on the LT5 besides a very small brush and steady hands? Thought about painters taping them up as close as possible, than spray painting and immediately cleaning up with a citrus wipe any overspray before drying occurred. The original enamel should not me harmed with the option. Would like to refresh them. Thanks!

04-23-2018	#3
B17 Crew Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 73	Re: LT5 Lettering Refresher What about using a liquid mask, such as what model builders use? It’s used to mask-off areas they wish to protect from overspray/paint. Liquid mask can be applied with a brush. Once its dry, spray paint letters, when painting is complete, the liquid mask just peels away. Link to liquid mask: https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/div/div3000.htm B17Crew

04-24-2018	#4
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,042	Re: LT5 Lettering Refresher As I recall, the factory just used high temp black barbeque paint. Don't know how they applied it though. Probably some sort of mask. --Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

04-24-2018	#7
TealZR1 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 51	Re: LT5 Lettering Refresher thanks to all who responded - will try the liquid mask. Wonder how much that factory template would go for now?!!

04-25-2018	#9
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: LT5 Lettering Refresher The mask looks interesting; might give it a try. I found using an artist's brush and acetone (aka fingernail polish remover) was the trick (for me). After painting the recessed cavities and before the paint completely dried, stretching an old T-shirt dampened with the polish remover over my index finger, cut a perfect line between the flat surface and the vertical edges of the letters. By avoiding much as possible getting too much paint smeared on the flat surfaces, I was able to paint the letters easily and quickly - knowing I could cut the letters with the acetone as a last step. Forget about trying to cut the letters with a steady hand and the atrist's brush: takes FOREVER! And, it was near impossible to cut the letters cleanly. Just paint 'em and cut 'em later is the ticket! __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry Last edited by Paul Workman; 04-25-2018 at 07:15 AM.

04-25-2018	#10
Bob Eyres Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jupiter, Fl. Posts: 815	Re: LT5 Lettering Refresher Cool video, I wonder if that guy, briskly spraying those letters almost thirty years ago, could envision us old geezers today, our hands shaking, trying to paint them with a tiny brush.. Here's a laugh. On the YouTube site, next to that video, check out the clips discussing the new LT5. I saw two that use a pic of "our" old four cam LT5 to stand in for a picture of the new motor. Well, if you don't have video of the new killer DOHC engine, pull a pic of the old one out of the archives. After all, it is the best looking Chevy engine of the last fifty years.. You can bet that the new one won't look nearly as good, more like Tupperware.