67 Hardtop-A Winter Project2

[Gerard F.]

Coming along with the hardtop project and removed the white vinyl I put on in 1973 per this thread:
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...rdtop&uid=5608

Spent a day trying to get the glue off with Oops and various adhesive remover, steel wool, etc. But the paint is pretty chopped up, so it will need a paint job, like the rest of the car.



After getting the glue and oxidized paint off, it will definitely need a paint job.

Is this typical of original orange peel or is it just a lousy paint job:



I believe that this is original paint that has been covered up with the white vinyl since January 1973. Did they really paint them that bad at the factory.

This brings up a question. Where were the AO Smith hardtops painted. Were they painted prior to assembly of all the chome trim and headliner. Is it true that if you had a C08 vinyl covering installed, that the hardtop was not painted and the vinyl installed prior to the chrome trim?

Would like to know the sequence for an AO Smith hardtop.

As I am now waiting for the parts, and intend to disaasemble and have it painted first, I thought I'd put it on one more time to take it to a Chapter Meet (NCC-Sacramento). Maybe I'll get some advice on painting her:



Geez, reminds me of 1969 coming across the country from NY to CA.
A lot shabbier, but she still looks good from 40'.

[Tracy C.]

Re: 67 Hardtop-A Winter Project2

Dang Jerry, thanks for posting that pic of your car. It's hard to beat the look of a hardtop on a mid year convertible.

tc

[Larry S.]

Re: 67 Hardtop-A Winter Project2

Gerald, I can add only a little, and that's whether the factory painted them as badly as yours. I had a new '66 with a hardtop, and it had a great paint job, at least on the hardtop. The body had a few flaws, but nothing too bad. Neither the top nor the body had any orange peel, just a fair job on the body.

[Joe C.]

Re: 67 Hardtop-A Winter Project2

The car looks GREAT all blue. I like it better than the white vinyl.

That doesn't look like orange peel. I'll be willing to bet that those are raised, hollow blisters caused by the failure of the paint underneath the vinyl to breathe. Your climate is ultra dry. I would imagine that if the car was kept on the east coast, that the entire roof would be covered with blisters.

Before I restored mine, I had it outside from September to March and covered with one of those blue tarps. When I uncovered it, all of the old paint over the entire car was full of blisters.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 Hardtop-A Winter Project2

Joe,

A very intuitive* answer.

The car basically sat outside with the hardtop on for it's first 12 years, including 6 years after I put the white vinyl on it. I remember having to punch holes in the floor plugs to keep it draining in the winter rains. The hardtop was never that waterproof at the front seal.

I can see the moisture coming up from below, and breaking the bond between the primer and the lacquer with a vinyl top on top. Hot and cold, moist and dry, I think it leads to bubbles in the surface. That's exactly what they look like.

I'm experimenting with rattle can painting. Got 3 cans of Levine paints in my original color, Marina Blue, 1967 GM 976, from a few years back. Doing three test strips, one for each can. If it works out, I might do the top with the rattle cans, after I strip all the trim.

Anyone out there done any rattle can painting from Levine. How many coats did they put on in lacquer at the factory? If it works out I might do the whole car in rattle cans.

It was never that complicated or expensive back then, or was it?

*Intuitive, in Brooklynese means, "How does it know?"

[Patrick T.]

Re: 67 Hardtop-A Winter Project2

I'm experimenting with rattle can painting. Got 3 cans of Levine paints in my original color, Marina Blue, 1967 GM 976, from a few years back. Doing three test strips, one for each can. If it works out, I might do the top with the rattle cans, after I strip all the trim.

Jerry, that sounds like a good idea to me. If you screw up, you can always do it over. A professional painter would probably charge you an arm and leg. Glad I have the black factory vinyl that is still in near perfect condition. PT