Re: Razor blade paint removal
OK, I hesitate to get into this as I know that it will get quite lengthy!
I have done so many Corvettes over the years I lost count!
I have also learned by the school of hard knocks!!
This is the way I do it now!
First off, Corvetes do not have gel coat like boats do! Never did, never will!
What you said about the glass being porous is a fact and you should "NEVER wipe the glass down with anything but Denatured alcohol!
WARNING, DENATURED ALCHOHOL IS EXTREMELY FLAMABLE AND BURNS CLEAR TO BLUE AND CAN BE VERY HARD TO SEE IT BURNING IF IGNITED!!!!
BE EXTREAMLY CAREFULL WHEN WIPING THE CAR DOWN, USE A VERY SATURATED RAG, DO NOT WIPE FAST AS THIS CAN CAUSE STATIC ELECTRICITY SNAPS ON THE PLASTIC AND WILL IGNITE THE ALCHOHOL! DO NOT WIPE THE SURFACE DRY, WIPE ONLY AFTER THE ALCHOHOL HAS EVAPORATED!
NEVER USE A WAX AND GREASE ELIMINATOR (REMOVER) AS THIS SUBSTANCE WILL WICK INTO THE GLASS AND WILL NOT EVAPORATE AND "WILL" CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE!
ALSO, A PAINT REMOVER THAT IS DESIGNED FOR FIBERGLASS WILL RENDER ITSELF INURT AS IT DRIES AND WILL NOT CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE!
Soda blasting is the stipper of choice but it sounds as if you do not have that option!
If you have a shop do the priming, and they have a heater bake type booth, tell them to bake the body on high for 30 minutes before priming to make sure everything is evaporated out of the glass. This can include moisture!
When all the sanding, bodywork and paint removal is finished you should seal the whole car with 4-5 coats with a product like Feather fill.
http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=70
Dry sand and block the areas flat with 100-120 longboard paper using a dark colored guide coat. If you sand through the primer in any areas, seal those areas with the featherfill, sand those areas and then prime the entire car, two-three full wet coats with a urethane primer of your choice. Wet sand this with 400-600 paper and a guide coat and recoat with whatever paint product that you choose.
This repair procedure can be followed with any fiberglass repair!
I hope this helps.
