[1971GTO]

Guys,

Have this 6-year old-refurbished '71 GTO 455HO, that included prime and paint so that I could get to driving it proudly. Hired a local body man and I to do this out in a country garage where I store the car. For total of $800, I think we got pretty good lookin' paint on the car for what I needed from my money and the accomplishment. Didn't spend ALOT of time fussing with the primed surface before 3 coats of base color, 3 of clear. Didn't cut and buff the cleared paint after........been a "10-20 footer" all these years out of need; at that level of workmanship............ it's gotten some compliments, alright. The car is garaged from late September to around..........mid May. Then I bring it into town and get around in it as I please all Summer; it sits in the driveway.

But now at this point,
I feel that I want to sell the car in just a few years. So, contemplating re-clear coating the car(for a fresh start), then color sand the car for the best looking paint that can be had, with what I've got. As these pictures show, I think the car'd sell alright if primped a bit more. I finished a decent engine detailing last year; should help sell it!

Generally, what kind of surface prep should I be doing to make this paintwork happen well? Anyone re-cleared like this before?

Later,
Mike

[GT182]

This is just my only Mike.

If it's not all dinged and scratched, why reclear it. A really good buffing should be just fine. Someone that knows how to buff it out is needed so the clear doesn't get burnt. At the worst, a light sanding with 800 or 1000 grit and buffed would work too. Maybe even just the clay bar treatment would clean it up.

BTW... sure is a pretty GTO. I'd hang on to it and enjoy it if it's something you don't have to or need to sell. Enjoy it as long as you can.

[paint guy]

You mentioned two things that would suggest nothing much to be gained by re-clearing: 1)"didn't spend alot of time fussing with the primed surface", re-clearing won't fix any areas that were not sufficiently blocked out, and 2)you have not wet-sanded and buffed the car. There's no reason why you can't now, will be harder to sand and buff but can be done. You will have to sand the car anyway to re-clear it, and you will have a (slight) chance of poor intercoat adhesion (peeling) between clear-coats if you re-clear.

[1971GTO]

Perhaps just overthinking the need to re-clear it. Potential for adheasion problem don't turn me on. &, alot of work really...............instead ofjust getting it cut/buffed by a pro.............or I take the time to do a really good job with that. I'd like to get it done.

Thanks,

[Jerry H.]

I agree with the others. I see no advantage to re clearing it. Since you didn't color sand it after clearing it before, sand and buff it now. I've sanded and buffed many cars years after they were painted with great results.

[1971GTO]

Good enough..........just re-read a good article in an older Hemmings Muscle Machines mag on cut/buff. I think I can do that!

And I think the existing clear is plenty thick and in good shpet attempt on my own.

Thanks,
Mike

[shawn e.]

I bought a really nice Makita buffer when I painted my Tempest. You can borrow it if you want to give a go at buffing your car.

Shawn

[1971GTO]

Originally Posted by shawn e.

I bought a really nice Makita buffer when I painted my Tempest. You can borrow it if you want to give a go at buffing your car.

Shawn

I'd appreciate that Shawn......PM sent.

All the best!
Mike

[GT182]

Mike, just be careful you don't 'burn' the clearcoat. And go lightly on all edges. That in mind you'll do fine.

[gto65lvr]

And if you worry about burning edges, easy to do, get some green or blue masking tape and run tape just around the edges so you dont hit them.

Also run the buffer so when it spins it spins in direction from the panel over the edge not hit the edge first then the panel.

[Andre]

I wouldn't do anything, and here is why. If the car is a 20 footer, then the paint and interior trim etc are most likely in tune with each other. There are buyers who want cars like this that they can enjoy as you did.
If someone doesn't like the paint quality or color, then they can strip it and paint it.

[The Boss]

I like it! Put me on the list when you go to sell it.

[1971GTO]

All good stuff guys........thanks for all the input. All these tips for working on the paint are very usefull and noted. I'll take my time and mask/work slow etc....panel by panel. Meantime........... I can re-do the pinstriping on the eyebrows of the fenders and other smaller touch-up and repair things.

It'd take me a few years to part with this car I think. It's sale's going to help me make a career change within 9 years or so, hopefully.

It really should go to someone who'd keep it like this, and/or restore it back completely. Think I'd start here to launch it's sale; because it's in need of a few things that true Pontiac bufffs can prolly' only appreciate working over.

Later.