I am currently working on repairing and restoring the engine of my project 1980 Corvette. then I will replace whatever needs to be improved in the interiors and dash. I am leaving the paint job for last after the hood doesn't need top be opened so often. Here's my question. It is Paint related. I know all of you have some paint related story you have learned from.
The paint is faded in many areas and there are a lot of nicks and wear on the nose of the corvette, so I assume, sanding, filling and priming will be the order of the day before painting. The body is more or less blemish free.
1.) Paint jobs seem to cost the Earth (I had a quote for $7000 from a dealer who seemed a little too eager to sign me up and used the emotional blackmail approach to "restoring my car to its original beauty" approach, I hate that kind of pressure and being talked down to.)2.) Since the car body is fiberglass, is there any other pre-paint process, or do's and don'ts I should be aware of sooner rather than later ?
3.) If the car is a dark color like grey, will it be necessary to completely sand out the original color, or can I leave the original color underneath.. ? I want the new color to be a very deep metallic blue (on the darker side of blue)4.) Clear coat gives gloss right ? or am I mistaken ? If I give it one or two coats of the metallic blue and 2 coats of Clear coat, is that more gloss ? What about an Enamel finish, is that needed ? how effective is it really against light brushings (example if bushes rubbed the side of the car, or someone's wedding ring or some jewellery made minor scratches in it. A friend of mine wearing levis once leaned against my '99 passat and the little rivets on the jeans pocket left tiny scratches.. nearly gave me a coronary...)
5.) Would anyone recommend the volume paint shops ? example6.) Do paint shops cover up the emblems, chrome bits, lights etc on the car before spraying ? or do they remove them completely before the spray to get the paint on the insides evenly ?
haha, i realize there are way too many questions, but I am dead set on my vette being a heart stopper when it is out on the road with me piloting it. Problem is my budget leaves me just about $800 per month to spend on the car, so I'm trying to get the most value. I am seriously considering going to one of the "ricer" paint shops in my area (lots of oriental teens where I live.. close to stanford). Ricer cars seem to have nice paint jobs done on them sometimes.
Thank's in advance for all the help, and a very Happy and Successful New Year to you all !