How nice a paint job do I REALLY need to do??

[kshrek]

Eventually it will be time to paint the GS, and wondering about how anal-retentive I need to be about the quality. Car is a desert gold stage 1, which from what I can tell is a rare bird. So, the question is this: Given that no 100-point concours quality paint jobs ever left the plant, should I try to recreate a 1970-era finish, or more detailed and less sloppy?

[MichaelGarrison]

Well there is no excuse for sloppy as far as Im concerned..... However if you are doing a 100 point show car even the factory's sloppyness to recreate has to be calculated well as it can look way too sloppy also. I had a 70 GSX and we opt'd for the overspray under the car and under the hood as it was but not to over bearing. What I got was perfect as I had to explain to all the nonbuick show car people that the GSX was painted on the rotiserie and it had overspray.... Anyway good luck with whatever you choose...

[Smartin]

Make it as nice as you can possibly afford. Paint makes or breaks a car.

[kshrek]

I'll be shooting it myself, so cost is not as much of an issue, and maybe this is an "apples/oranges" comparison, but I remember all the arguments in Chrysler-land about "over-restored" cars versus the ones that left the factory quirks intact

[71stage1conv]

but I remember all the arguments in Chrysler-land about "over-restored" cars versus the ones that left the factory quirks intact:RE: :RE: :RE:

Maybe you shouldn't be visiting that site!:TH: :LAUGH:

If the water pump leaked from the factory, should you duplicate that too?:ROLL:

[kshrek]

:RE: :RE: :RE:

Maybe you shouldn't be visiting that site!:TH: :LAUGH:

If the water pump leaked from the factory, should you duplicate that too?:ROLL:

I see your point, however fluid leaks one would presume would be fixed before delivery. the basic question was: do I recreate the way it was, or the way it should have been?

[12lives]

My opinion - Stage 1's are special and deserve a concours level job. Another point is the appreciating value on these cars. I'm not saying that you may sell it, but the prices indicate the value of a really nice paint job. In other words, a $10K job on a Stage 1 is only about a 1/4th or less of the overall market value. The auction action is looking for paint that is perfect, not OEM quality. Good luck!

For factory correct paint, Mike makes a good point. You may also want to ask a judge (like Duane) what he looks for.

- Bill

- Bill

[Carl Rychlik]

Eventually it will be time to paint the GS, and wondering about how anal-retentive I need to be about the quality. Car is a desert gold stage 1, which from what I can tell is a rare bird. So, the question is this: Given that no 100-point concours quality paint jobs ever left the plant, should I try to recreate a 1970-era finish, or more detailed and less sloppy?


Well,look at it this way; if I hadn't invested the money into my paint job(and by the way,it's Desert Gold also),it would not look the way it does today. By all means,if you have a car that is a worthy candidate,pay a little more for the best paint job you can get, and believe me,it will have been worth the extra cost. Also,make sure before you apply your paint,make sure the finish of the metal is absolutely smooth and no scratches are present. Paint will always bring out any imperfections if the surface isn't prepared correctly.