1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

[CArens2843]

Purchased this car with intentions that "I" would restore it. Exterior and Interior. Told my husand if I can restore antique clocks, I can do a car. He has been very supportive. First car I have purchased by myself without my husband 'looking' at it.

To date, I've just spent money. The first thing I paid for was new exaust, mufflers and brakes. The auto shop wrecked the rear L panel, into the fiber glass with scratches beginning at the front all the way down the side. Say they cant afford to fix it. Second auto shop I paid, to get the vacum lines to open and close the head lights. Get the blinkers working and the e brake. Now blinkers dont work again.

Well meaning daughter said she could get the stereo working. NOT. Now I have wires that will require alot of coffee on my part to figure out.

I've cried. But will not stop. Its a driver and I drive it. I really want to restore this vehicle to its original condition. Would like to hear from you guys as to were you think I should start. Focus on what first? Buy what? First. What would you do.

Thanks
A car is NOT as easy as a clock!!!

[Murr1525]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

Any pics at all? You dont mention what conditon the paint is in, so a few pics would really help see what can be done.

Here are a few of the basic articles you will want to read, to get a feel for paint care.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

For right now, if you want to be able to do a quick detail on it, ColorX would be a very good option:

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Hope that helps some. Give them a read, then ask away some more...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

The auto shop wrecked the rear L panel, into the fiber glass with scratches beginning at the front all the way down the side. Say they cant afford to fix it.

Excuse me??!?!?!?!??! A shop damaged your car while it was in their care and they claim they "can't afford to fix it"????? They either have insurance for this sort of thing or else you take the car in for 3 estimates at different places and then go back to the original shop and ask how they'd like to handle this. If they still say they can't afford it, take them to small claims court. You will win. Guaranteed.

Otherwise I defer to Murr1525's post.

[Murr1525]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

Hmm.. I should have noticed that... a very good point as well

[CArens2843]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

Hmm.. I should have noticed that... a very good point as well

Thank you. Good advise here guys (I think your all guys)
I was VERY pleased with the original paint when purchased, still had some original shine on it. 79,000 original miles on the car, Im the 3rd owner and it was mostly garage. some original shine without me working on it yet. And I was proud of it. When I purchased it the rear bumper had damage on R corner fiberglass, and long scratch R door panel from R T top. I purchased a new bumper to paint and replace the bumper only, fix scratch's.
My bumper sits in my husbands garage for months now, everything I have purchased to work on 'my' car, I havent touched. Just seriously took the wind out of my new project. I've thought about what it will be put new paint only on the L rear panel. I dont like it.
Quote I have, is one. Body shop told me I would want them to paint the whole car and not just L rear. 10,000.00 is what they quoted for the whole car paint job. Thats more than what I paid for the car. 1500.00 for L rear panel only.
The auto shop that caused the damage asked me to get estimate only on the L rear panel. Thats wrong now isnt it!?!? Im not sure.
ok you guys are right, I think they need to pay for repair and paint the whole car and not just repair the L panel. Midas group out of Vegas, is the responsible party.
Three estimates is good also. Auto shop is a customer, so I felt I needed to tread lightly, sticky situation.
The manager was fired, as they had to rebuild a motor after dropping a screw in some guys new engine. then my car. Ok repair and new paint job is what it is. So should they be responsible to paint the whole car, or leave me with a partial new paint job. MY INTENTIONS WERE TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL PAINT ON VEHICLE, restore this car to origianl condition. That idea is blown. that bums me out. I should get over it!!!!!!!!! Will post some pictures of the vett soon.
My husband just told me they are not responsible for entire paint job. I told him thats not fair, what once would be original paint from top to bottom will be a patch of new paint and old. IM FRUSTRATED.

[cnfowler]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

I disagree with your husband. If it takes a whole car paint job to get the color right, then that's what should be done. If the shop doesn't want to hear that, they should have never damaged the original paint. ***** to be Midas right now.

[CArens2843]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

I disagree with your husband. If it takes a whole car paint job to get the color right, then that's what should be done. If the shop doesn't want to hear that, they should have never damaged the original paint. ***** to be Midas right now.

Thank you. I agree. that makes two. And then.... thats not a extreme makeover, its a paint job.

Appreciate it, I'm gonna tinker with the vet this weekend. No maybe not, I had bought new weather stripping, for the t tops. is that done before or after paint? does it matter.

Way agree with your formula for success!!!

[johnyB]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

"When I purchased it the rear bumper had damage on R corner fiberglass, and long scratch R door panel from R T top. I purchased a new bumper to paint and replace the bumper only, fix scratch's.'

I wouldnt be to worried about the value of the original paint from the sounds of your plans the bumper wouldnt match anyway. I personaly think they did wright by agreing to fix the damage they caused to the L panel. as for fixing the rest of the damage the 30 year plus of wear and tear on the car i dont think its reasonable to expect them to fix tht.

"The auto shop that caused the damage asked me to get estimate only on the L rear panel.

It isnt any diferent if you got into an acident, the insurance agent comes out and says ok this and tht needs fixed, it goes to the shop they fix it and thts tht if your not happy with the paint job i dont think you go to the person who crashed your car and say hey i dont like how it matches now pay for the rest of my car to be painted.

Point being i dont think your geting ripped off or whatever and i wouldnt want to get you all upset tht you didnt fight hard enough or you dont know what your doing no one is going to pay for a 10 000 paint job on a 1500 dolar car and no judge would agree to tht.

As for were to start replace repair recondition everything if its a resto job, seems like you have it under control with your aproach. I would also look into joining a clasic corvette club or somthing like tht were you can meet people tht live covette, theres alot of talented people on here tht can after they see some pictures sugest a way to get the rest of the paint to look as new as the patch. good luck.
edited! http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1890 check this out i just noticed it in the similar section hehehe.doh

[CArens2843]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

1st. I paid the guy 4,000.00 for the car. I've put another 2500.00 plus... into so far. That brings us to 6500.00 plus for your 1900.00 car. OUCH. Ask me if Im having fun yet?!? NO.

So for my first car purchased for purpose of restoration hobby, listening to you, I've already SCREWED UP MAJOR. The link you sent me is a good one, I had read some time ago. Link to it on my desktop, exciting project for me. Pictures first and begin the exciting work.

I've been searching online, reading, reading, this has been a excellent site esp. to learn of products and procedures. Was seriously enjoying the 'newbie hobby'. It was in my plans and BAM...... side swiped. ok SISSY.

Looking at my posts... and reading here. the tears hit from EXTREME ANGER, due when I picked up my corvette, ...... smiles and friendly...... wrote my check...... picked up my keys....... they pulled my car out front for me.... I walked around it...... and discovered it had been side swiped from the front L all the way down to rear L. Into fiberglass on rear. They said nothing. I said nothing but got in my car and went home VERY MAD, because they did not say anything to me. I didnt say anything... Put me in a odd position esp since they are a customer of ours.

dishonesty was astounding to me. My husband saw me and asked whats the matter. THEY WRECKED MY VETT and DIDNT SAY A WORD. And I paid them 1500.00.

So. Se-La-Ve. All righty then. What was I thinking I'd have fun restoring a corrvette. That I paid what... too much for. Have already put more cash in it that what.... what's its worth....... Im upset with myself again.

Im done. Forget my idea of restoration of a corvette. Amazing. This is too much. Took a bite. have been stupid. Is this part of entering into this hobby...... spend too much money for a vehicle than what its worth... put too much money into than what its worth...... spend my time restoring to original condition when I chose the WRONG vehicle.

I dont want a full paint job. I dont want nothing. Thank you for your time and allowing me to post into this forum. Im upset. No wonder my husband keeps saying he's going to 'fix up my vett for me'. He knows but obviously has been kind enough to not tell me I've blown way to much money for what its worth. Extreme makeover. who was I kidding. My check book got the extreme makeover. Didnt ask him, I just bought it. SUCKER. Keep spending the money. Even started tearing into the dash. STUPID. Should put it back together and sell it just take the hit. lesson learned. Thanks.

All you guys are to be commended for the work you do on your cars. Good job. Not easy work.

[johnyB]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

Huh listening to me means you alrdy screwed up? I think thts unfair and excuse me for not jumping on the banwagon and agreeing tht a shop should pay for a complete paint job because it didnt match. Anyways its to bad your giving up and yeah restoreing a car is expensive.

[CArens2843]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

Please accept my apoligies. Your post is not the 'cause' of my head trip. your post was real deal.

I've had all day to dicker with this. decided I am committed to this prokect. I committed via lots of money. drove it today, and drove it. Then gardened and decided I WILL FOLLOW THRU

will post the project correctly and I will complete the project. I will use Meguiar products and follow directions.

Money and time, your right. All lot. Little by little. Im not a quiter. Never have been. So... threw my first restoration temper tantron. Done.

you'll see me back with pics, a very clear plan and doing this project to completion.

I will give this project car a name. And a personilzed license plate.

Regards and enjoy my project as I will share it. Professionaly. Dont feel upset with me, this forum has been what I needed. Exterior and interior to the extreme.

Next in line before paint and blending the old with the new:

** Take before pictures****
** Inventory everything I've bought and stock piled so far.

1. fix broken arm to power steering pully and get power steering back (although manual has been fun)
2. Remove door cover and repair what ever is broken drivers side door so It will open without sticking arm inside.
3. Purchase new front end fiber glass piece and screws/attatchments
4. Take car, new bumper, new front end and have painted at body shop along with L rear panel. Instal new weather stripping.
5. Sweat equity will begin along with cash flow into it.


Thats good enough for awhile. The list will continue on and on.

Regards,
Cheryl

[johnyB]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

Not needed at all and i cant wait to see the car and hopefuly watch your progress and learn alot about the 75 vette. I gave up many times when i restored my 68 bird, its tuff but nothing beats when its done and you did it! thts priceless.

[565Customz]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

did we ever get pics of this delima?

[CArens2843]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

Never posted pictures. Stoped working on car. It sits covered right now. In fact I've thought about just selling and after "what in the world was I thinking!!". But thanks for asking. I even forgot about this forum.

Merry Christmas.

[565Customz]

Re: 1975 Corvette Suggestions Please

how much you want...ill take it off you hands. and itll get finished...hell ill even let you drive it finished lol. it gonna have to wait till my 79 t/a is done though lol