Vette owners! Check out this decklid...

S

stainbuster

Professional Rookie
Here we have a 1995 Polo Green Corvette that was recently purchased by a regular client. The paint condition you see was present when he bought it (great deal, imo).
 
Here's 2 more close-ups. Thought maybe the clear was gone, figured I'd wash the back end of her and see what's there. The pattern is so d*mn odd! Maybe substructure under the fiberglass?
 
In this pic, you can see what looks like previous attempts at ?waxing/buffing?

The only area affected is the rear decklid. Rear qtr panels, hood, front fenders, are all in good shape, except for minor spider webbing, light scratches, and such.
 
Those photos were taken before the car was washed. I washed the backend only, as I was in between appointments. Went at a small (1 sq. ft.) area with light cut compound and terry applicator by hand; didn't touch it. Moved up to a heavy compound with "diminishing abrasives", and it started clearing up. Wiped it down, then one more time. Quick polish and wax by hand, and presto. IMO, it looks maybe 90%. (Sorry, camera battery died before I could snap off a few of this test section, but will post after pics tomorrow night.)

So that was Saturday and I have the customer booked for tomorrow morning to do the entire vehicle. I have all day, and may need it!

Have a feeling I will need to go with aggressive compound and aggressive foam pad, possibly wool. Then work it back from there.

Does anybody have experience with this type of paint condition on fiberglass? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
 
NOBODY ?!?

I know, it's still early in the AM. Off to tackle this Vette in about 20 minutes. I'll take lots of step-by-step pics. Maybe I should breeze through the Corvette forums. Hmm,

Wish me luck.
 
I have no opinion on how to address it but I'll tell you what it looks like. Maybe that will give you a clue on the approach. I think it's UV induced color fading. The car was probablly parked for long time in an area where the rear got direct sunlight through something that induced a shadow which caused the pattern. I guess you'd attack it like heavy oxidation then. :dunno
 
Gas and a match! LOL!!

The car is "well-insured" the owner says with a wink*.

Hopefully, stainbuster can salvage the paint today. I'm off!

Regards
 
Looks to me like a bad case of lacquer check from a bad re-paint. If the surface was not prepped right prior to painting, the paint oxidizes from the inside out so to speak. I think your right about the difference being due to the inner structure.
 
After observation, it appears to be HORRIBLE OXIDATION, and the pattern in the before pic is the substructure.

Dr Detail has a great theory about paint/re-paint prep and procedure. Wonder if the rear was wrecked, or hacked up somehow?

Anyhow, here's a few for now.
 
This is the decklid after first pass w/ compound. (YES! Those are MF's from PAC) Had to go with twisted wool, foam wouldn't touch it.
 
Awesome work !!!

I cannot wait to see the complete after pics !!! Great Job on that horribly abused trunk !!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top