Paint Day: First Coat is the Sealer Coat

Dale sprayed on the gray Nason Acrylic sealer as the first coat.  As we got color on, it exposed a could of very small pits in the previous primer coats.  We quickly filled those and were ready for the black paint. 

Dale started on the parts first.

The acrylic sealer.

Tony and I observed Dale and his handiwork.

Dale started on the body.

Each coat takes about 11 minutes on the body.

Sealer coat complete....we took a close look at the entire car.

There were a few minor items to clean up.

Body and acrylic sealer all complete. Ready for the first coat of lacquer.

Paint Day has Arrived... Saturday, December 22, 2018

Saturday, December 22, 2018. We met at Autobody Dimensions at 8am.  The team began by taping off the front grill area, the engine compartment and the dash board area. Then, the entire car is wiped down with a Silicon remover, cleaner.  We're then set to paint on the sealer.

Masking off the grill area and engine compartment.

Masking completed.

This cleaner is used as a last cleaner to clean off the entire body.

Paco (the regional paint rep came today to advise and help out) and Branden went over the car with the silicon cleaner.

We did the same with the parts in the paint booth next door.

Took Another Look at the Engine

I had a few extra minutes, so I walked back to Tony's shop to take a few shots of the mostly completed motor.  Still needs the FI and the valve covers are just temporary.  

Engine Part number: 3732870

Engine block date stamp: June, 12, 1963

Body Rolled into the Paint Booth

On Friday afternoon, we pushed the body into the booth.  I took a few last shots around the body.  Amazing, we started this project on December 2, 2017 - just over 1 year ago.  I also climbed in the body to take a few interesting shots noted below.

Tony put this cardboard cover over the Z06 lettering on the bulkhead under the gas tank.  Dated December 2, 2017...over 1 year ago.

Just after we pushed the body into the booth.

Door latch, taped, but providing some area for overspray which is consistent with factory paint production.

This is up under the split window, I noticed a couple of areas under the original glue that had red interior paint, the original interior color.

Right side, just behind the passenger door jamb.  Red interior paint from the original paint job in 1963.

Red paint in the tool buckets.

Final Prep - Reviewing Details with the Paint Team

We set up the doors, valence panel, head light buckets and hood in one booth and the body in a separate booth.  Today, Friday, December 21, we reviewed the coverage and how we needed to paint the parts to be consistent with a 1963 factory paint job.

Johnny listening to how we plan to cover the underside of parts with color.

Dale and Tony discussing how we'll leave some red oxide primer exposed on the rear valence panel as well as some dry areas. 

Final Prep on the Body

We're doing some final prep to the body on Friday, Dec 21 before placing in the booth.

Chris (me) last touch ups in the wheel wells.

Tony and Dale discussing the front valence.

Back into the Heat Booth to Dry Out

Back into the heat booth to dry the car out prior to paint day on Saturday.

Power Wash off the Dust

We're set to paint on Saturday, December 22.  We completed 320 grit, 420 grit and 600 grit over the last 3 weeks. Today the car was power washed to get as much dust off as possible.

Brandon from Autobody Dimensions begins to power wash.  Dale (he'll shoot the color) observes in the background.

Sanding, Sanding, Sanding - 320 Grit

The primer coat is a great sealing coat, but leaves a very hard shell that needs to be sanded down.  This will take a few weeks.

Keeping things straight

As we prep for color, keeping lines straight and some small touch ups on the body.

Back to Autobody Dimemsions - sanding and prep next steps

We brought the car back over to Autobody Dimensions in Gaithersburg.  Next steps, sand 320 grit, 420 grit and final 600 grit over the next few weeks.  Targeting painting color on December 22, 2019.