I talked with a friend of a friend who is an longtime corvette restorer and judge for,well,the other guys.I asked him what he thought about Quanta's frame paint.He didn't want to take anything away from Quanta's,but did say that GM reconditioning black was the closest match He'd found to the OEM finish on the frame,which is all I intended to,and have used it for(as I'm hooked on Blitz Black for the underhood stuff).Will this fly with the masses at NCRS? I hope.Come to think of it,I bought thier last gallon begining of last winter.After reading some of the earlier posts,I might want to go back and see if they ordered any more huh.Thanks,Barney
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Re: GM vs.Quanta's for frame paint?
I don't personally have any experience with the GM reconditioning black so I'd have to trust your friend's recomendation. I think the key to making your choice will be whether or not to use an asphalt-based frame paint in your restoration as GM did originally on the mid-years. Quanta's product certainly is an asphalt-based paint. If the GM reconditioning black is asphalt-based then I'd say let your comfort with a specific brand guide your decision. You should be happy with either product.
For what it's worth, here's how I approached my frame restoration (1966 convertible). Since I had significant surface rust and scaling, I had my frame chemically cleaned by Metal Rehab Technologies in Ft. Worth, Texas. When I got the frame back, I primed it with PPG DP90, made my repairs, and filled pits. Then I sprayed the inside rails and crossmembers using Eastwood's undercoating system and sprayed the outside with Eastwood's Chassis Black. I feel like both inside and outside are now well protected, perhaps even redundant since DP90 and Chassis Black are both epoxy based. Last, I sprayed the outside with the Quanta asphalt paint for original appearance only.
This car has not been judged yet but from prior experience and research on this discussion board I believe it will meet the NCRS judging standards. -
Re: GM vs.Quanta's for frame paint?
Barney, I see from your profile that you have a 70. Typically, C3 frame paint has more gloss than GM Reconditioning Paint in my opinion. (Quit getting restoration tips from those Ph-ph-pfff- ,er...those other guys! )
Will it "fly with the masses" as frame paint? If you are having it NCRS judged, you may see a deduct if the chassis judges think the gloss is not exactly what it was originally , and that attribute is important to them.
After that, the NCRS "masses" really don't exercise any authority over what gloss your frame paint should have (nor does NCRS for that matter). As individuals, or two or three person groups, the "masses" may privately assess whether your car is a good restoration or a poor restoration based on their knowledge (which may or may not be adequate), but such activity is simply entertainment for the "masses".Comment
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Additional Information
Describing gloss on painted parts over the internet is almost impossible without some common, known reference level.
In my case, I used the gloss level from a sheltered area on my frame (on top of the corner gusset at the rear kickups). In my opinion (I know you're out there, Patrick. ), I would say that frame paint gloss level was maybe one-third of the way between GM Reconditioning Black and the gloss on an original air cleaner. Some variation around that gloss would be normal and should be expected in judging.
It will also be important to get the gloss on your control arms, particularly the upper fronts, slightly more glossy than the frame.
BTW, asphalt based paint was a mid-year paint. I am not sure about 68s, but frames for 69 and later did not use asphalt based paint.Comment
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Re: GM vs.Quanta's for frame paint?
Chuck,I guess "the masses"was a poor choice of words.I think I'll come up to Windsor,it's not to far from here and it would be a nice break from my hectic summer work schedule.I don't think I'll be having the car judged(in the technical sense of the word anyway),but who knows.I believe it still falls into the survivor class though,I'll have to check into that.That guy I was talking to restores C2's,and he did mention a little trick he used,adding something to the paint,but I can't remember what it was off hand.Though I may want to consider his advice when I buy a C2 also(it's nice to dream)I'll be carefull in who's advise I take in the future.Thanks,BarneyComment
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Re: GM vs.Quanta's for frame paint?
Barney, I was ribbing you a little while illustrating that the "masses" evaluation should be immaterial. However, the NCRS masses are better educated about their marque than any other car club.
Some individuals in NCRS, a few here on this board, can offer good advice across several year classes; I get into trouble if I try to cross year class lines, and sometimes outside of the 70 model year. Sometimes information will be universal across one or more year classes, but you should go slow and verify it before using information from another year class. If I read you right, you are trying to make your car appear as original as possible...as your knowledge increases (as it does for all of us), you can become the best critic of your restoration.
I recommend attending all the regional meets or national conventions you can, and observer judge when you can. It will be a big help in getting a handle on gloss levels, details not in the TIM&JG, etc.
If your car is truly in a "survivor" class, then it might be a good idea to do nothing except clean it until you can have it looked at by the 68-72 Team Leader for possible Bowtie candidacy.Comment
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Re: GM vs.Quanta's for frame paint?
Bad grammer is okay,a bad restoration is not okay.I'll be carefull in who I take advise from in the future.(Yes that's better)Sounds like good advise Chuck,I'll take it.Thanks again, BarneyComment
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