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I had a paint estimator over to see my 1967 several weeks ago. I consider the car to be in pretty fine condition despite the presence of several minor (to me at least) stress cracks. There are about six: four around the rear window (see pic for example) and two at the outer bottom corners of the windshield. All six are less than one inch in length. He made a bit of a fuss about those and added about 10-12 hours to the estimate. Again they seem quite minor to me but I am certainly not an expert on paint. Is he being conscientious or am I being conned?
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A Second Crack Pic
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Re: A Second Crack Pic
Stress cracks are hard to diagnose. A lot can go into what causes them. Just because there is a crack doesn't mean there is a big repair behind it. You can go nuts chasing down all the cracks on a car made of plastic. If it is not a point of obvious flexing, I wouldn't get too worried. I can't really see where the crack is in the picture. When they made the panels, the resin accumulated in the corners. In those areas the resin shrinks and get brittle, IT DOESN'T mean the fiberglass strands are broken under the crack. If you do a big grind out of the area, you will probably make things worse. If you gellcoat the car, it will fill a lot of those areas. If it is flexing in the area, it may be better to reinforce it from the underside. You can do that in any of a number of ways. Just make sure you take it to a place that really knows something about preping and painting fiberglass. TerryComment
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Re: A Second Crack Pic
Thanks Terry,
This fellow painted my 1979 in 2000 and did a wonderful job that looks great to this day. And there were cracks around door handles and the nose. I realize the pics make the cracks hard to see because they are! I guess my post is not an indication of lack of confidence in his abilities. More a sensitivity to cost. Believe me this is not MAACO and it will hit my savings account big time. I am nervous and just want it done right.Comment
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When they charge like a Doctor, get a second opinion like a doctor. DaleComment
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I agree, get a second opinion. It is difficult to really no what you are up against untill you have all the paint off the car. Cracks can be in the paint and you may not even see them in the panel once the paint is off the car. Terry.Comment
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Re: A Second Crack Pic
name the cracks Arnold... "they'll be back !Comment
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Re: A Second Crack Pic
An hour's labor per stress crack is probably reasonable, unless the crack is in an inaccessable or difficult area, like starting under a window molding or running across a body line. It sort of depends on the complexity of the contours that have to be recreated. Out in the wide open spaces, like on the edge of a door, an hour's labor would be generous.Comment
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Re: A Second Crack Pic
I had a second opinion but I did not like his answers to my questions. It was apparent that he had not worked extensively with fiberglass. The author of the current estimate (shop manager) did have the right answers. I also interviewed the shop foreman and painter as well (I can be anal at times) and I liked what they said. I guess the proof of the pudding is in the eating: what is discovered when the paint comes off. FWIW the estimate is 85 hours on the body and 45 hours on the paintwork plus materials, taxes, etc. The labour rate is $42.00US so the dollars add up quickly!
I know it's blasphemy but I am going with base/clear. That's 2-3 coats primer/sealer, four of colour and three of clear. As per other threads here, the painter said he could dull the final coats somewhat to simulate lacquer. I'm undecided on that matter.Comment
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Paul - I would suggest you speak with Tom Ames first before you proceed. He was at the judging retreat in Dallas last week and gave an outstanding presentation of how to judge for correct appearance, and he also is very skilled at using modern paint systems to achieve the correct appearance. At least he may give you some ideas on how to approach your painter...CraigComment
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Stress Cracks On Corvettes Are A Fact of Life...
They are not typically serious in terms of structural integrity, but they must be ground out and repaired with resin and fiberglass mat. Unless, of course, you enjoyed seeing them so much the first time that you want to see them again in the new paint. Everyone that paints fiberglass cars knows and accepts this...it's a tedious hassle sometimes, but it's no big deal technically.
What you usually find is that the resin on the surface of the panel has cracked down to glass fibers over a short distance, maybe 1/2"-2" long. To repair, you grind out the crack until it disappears, then laminate resin and mat to reinforce and build the area back up. The extent of the grinding varies by individual; I prefer a broad v-grind (1" on either side of crack) for maximum reinforcement, but others barely "gouge out" the crack. The more you grind, the more work it becomes, but the better the repair. After grinding the cured lamination near rough contour, you can stage sand and/or apply minimal body filler if necessary to restore finish contour.
If the panel is cracked all the way through (i.e. the crack never disappears), then I wouldn't call it a "stress crack" in the usual sense. The repair technique is similar, but must be done both on the outside the panel and inside the panel if possible.Comment
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Re: A Second Crack Pic
Once all the paint is off down to the glass my brother in law using a water wet rag wipes the body down to find all the cracks which show up dark.He grinds or "V's: them out or for a large side impact area ( like a hit egg) he applies a micro cloth to hold it from spreading. Had my 67 coup painted 23 years ago and is still perfect every where .I also tell any one repainting their Corvette to glue and add a sheet of 1/8 thick rubber under the front fenders which will keep little rock STARS from appearing in their fenders. I've done this on all my Corvettes and never got any.Comment
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Re: A Second Crack Pic
Lots of good ideas here. Thank you!
Craig,
My car is not NCRS material so a base/clear is fine with me. The engine is a period correct 327/300 but NOM. So it's a non-starter for judging. I just enjoy the NCRS people because of their expertise and great advice! And for that I thank you once again.Comment
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A Pic for Interest
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