This 70 Corvette recently arrived after a collision after 'Vettes at the Beach'. Check back for updates as work begins and parts arrive. completion is expected before Christmas 2006.
This 70 Corvette recently arrived after a collision after 'Vettes at the Beach'. Check back for updates as work begins and parts arrive. completion is expected before Christmas 2006.
This 70 Corvette recently arrived after a collision after 'Vettes at the Beach'. Check back for updates as work begins and parts arrive. completion is expected before Christmas 2006.
As parts are beginning to arrive the frame is aligned and checked for broken welds. The owner has decided now would be a good time to prepare to paint the remainder of the car. This little beauty will get a complete new paint job. Work on the rear of the vehicle will proceed while we are waiting for parts to arrive. As typical, some parts are a click away while some parts are 4-weeks out. We are shooting for a Christmas-time completion date. Parts are a major factor.
As parts are beginning to arrive the frame is aligned and checked for broken welds. The owner has decided now would be a good time to prepare to paint the remainder of the car. This little beauty will get a complete new paint job. Work on the rear of the vehicle will proceed while we are waiting for parts to arrive. As typical, some parts are a click away while some parts are 4-weeks out. We are shooting for a Christmas-time completion date. Parts are a major factor.
As parts are beginning to arrive the frame is aligned and checked for broken welds. The owner has decided now would be a good time to prepare to paint the remainder of the car. This little beauty will get a complete new paint job. Work on the rear of the vehicle will proceed while we are waiting for parts to arrive. As typical, some parts are a click away while some parts are 4-weeks out. We are shooting for a Christmas-time completion date. Parts are a major factor.
The front frame of the Vette is sandblasted and painted. Without removing the complete body from the frame, cleaning up the frame now is about the best time. Access to areas for sandblasting and painting are about as good as it gets. A special chassis black is used to prevent future rust. Parts are continuing to arrive, assembly is proceeding on the front-end.
The front frame of the Vette is sandblasted and painted. Without removing the complete body from the frame, cleaning up the frame now is about the best time. Access to areas for sandblasting and painting are about as good as it gets. A special chassis black is used to prevent future rust. Parts are continuing to arrive, assembly is proceeding on the front-end.
The front frame of the Vette is sandblasted and painted. Without removing the complete body from the frame, cleaning up the frame now is about the best time. Access to areas for sandblasting and painting are about as good as it gets. A special chassis black is used to prevent future rust. Parts are continuing to arrive, assembly is proceeding on the front-end.
The front end assembly was jig-built using the correct color and type press-molded fiberglass panels. Note the shipping crate holds the front-end until we are ready. The correct adhesive, and to-original specs as close as practical given we are not the factory. The inside of these panels are sandblasted to remove the release agent and gel-coat glaze before bonding is accomplished. This is the way we prepare our Corvettes for bonding of the original style panels.
The front end assembly was jig-built using the correct color and type press-molded fiberglass panels. Note the shipping crate holds the front-end until we are ready. The correct adhesive, and to-original specs as close as practical given we are not the factory. The inside of these panels are sandblasted to remove the release agent and gel-coat glaze before bonding is accomplished. This is the way we prepare our Corvettes for bonding of the original style panels.
The front end assembly was jig-built using the correct color and type press-molded fiberglass panels. Note the shipping crate holds the front-end until we are ready. The correct adhesive, and to-original specs as close as practical given we are not the factory. The inside of these panels are sandblasted to remove the release agent and gel-coat glaze before bonding is accomplished. This is the way we prepare our Corvettes for bonding of the original style panels.
Work is continuing on the Vette. The wheel houses and attaching brackets have been installed and/or transferred. The radiator support and radiator is assembled and installed. The new front wiring harness and fiber optics are installed and so are new vacuum lines for the head lamps and wiper door. Each item is detailed as it is assembled and this process of restoring some of the components takes time. The front HL assemblies are assembled and prepared for installation. The Front Nose will be fitted next.
Work is continuing on the Vette. The wheel houses and attaching brackets have been installed and/or transferred. The radiator support and radiator is assembled and installed. The new front wiring harness and fiber optics are installed and so are new vacuum lines for the head lamps and wiper door. Each item is detailed as it is assembled and this process of restoring some of the components takes time. The front HL assemblies are assembled and prepared for installation. The Front Nose will be fitted next.
Work is continuing on the Vette. The wheel houses and attaching brackets have been installed and/or transferred. The radiator support and radiator is assembled and installed. The new front wiring harness and fiber optics are installed and so are new vacuum lines for the head lamps and wiper door. Each item is detailed as it is assembled and this process of restoring some of the components takes time. The front HL assemblies are assembled and prepared for installation. The Front Nose will be fitted next.
The front end is bonded in place. Notice that no holes are drilled or screws used to attach the frontend. Once fitted we use clamps and holding fixtures we designed to hold the panels in place until the adhesive is dry and cured. We use a product to bond that is close to the color and texture of the original adhesive. Some shops use rivets and screws to attach panels, and that leads to other problems later. The next step will be to apply a gelcoat to 20 mils thickness on the front end and bake the product until cured.
The front end is bonded in place. Notice that no holes are drilled or screws used to attach the frontend. Once fitted we use clamps and holding fixtures we designed to hold the panels in place until the adhesive is dry and cured. We use a product to bond that is close to the color and texture of the original adhesive. Some shops use rivets and screws to attach panels, and that leads to other problems later. The next step will be to apply a gelcoat to 20 mils thickness on the front end and bake the product until cured.
The front end is bonded in place. Notice that no holes are drilled or screws used to attach the frontend. Once fitted we use clamps and holding fixtures we designed to hold the panels in place until the adhesive is dry and cured. We use a product to bond that is close to the color and texture of the original adhesive. Some shops use rivets and screws to attach panels, and that leads to other problems later. The next step will be to apply a gelcoat to 20 mils thickness on the front end and bake the product until cured.
The front end is bonded in place. Notice that no holes are drilled or screws used to attach the frontend. Once fitted we use clamps and holding fixtures we designed to hold the panels in place until the adhesive is dry and cured. We use a product to bond that is close to the color and texture of the original adhesive. Some shops use rivets and screws to attach panels, and that leads to other problems later. The next step will be to apply a gelcoat to 20 mils thickness on the front end and bake the product until cured.
More pictures of bonded frontend. Notice fit and alignment is very good. We have had exceptionally good luck using products from Corvette Image including their jig-built front and rear body components. The fibreglass quality and color is very close to original and I have not found better.
More pictures of bonded frontend. Notice fit and alignment is very good. We have had exceptionally good luck using products from Corvette Image including their jig-built front and rear body components. The fibreglass quality and color is very close to original and I have not found better.
More pictures of bonded frontend. Notice fit and alignment is very good. We have had exceptionally good luck using products from Corvette Image including their jig-built front and rear body components. The fibreglass quality and color is very close to original and I have not found better.
More pictures of bonded frontend. Notice fit and alignment is very good. We have had exceptionally good luck using products from Corvette Image including their jig-built front and rear body components. The fibreglass quality and color is very close to original and I have not found better.
70 Vette is now being Gel-Coated. This polyester gelcoat (happens to be white) is used to seal raw glass which is how the Vette parts are sold. This thick 20ml coating acts like the shell of an egg to seal the fibers in the
70 Vette is now being Gel-Coated. This polyester gelcoat (happens to be white) is used to seal raw glass which is how the Vette parts are sold. This thick 20ml coating acts like the shell of an egg to seal the fibers in the "fiber-glass mix" from acting like a candle wick. Quite often the fiberglass porosity is left to absorb thinner and solvents if just primed and painted. Atmospheric conditions, moisture and humidity will later form a gas under the paint substrate and create a form of hydraulic pressure. This mysterious phenomenon causes blisters and bubbles lifting the paint off the surface. Many a Corvette paint job has been ruined by this blistering. Many blisters contain water and whatever gas or chemical that pass throughout the glass laminate. By using gelcoat we have a 99% success rate. Once the gelcoat is baked at 140 degrees for 2 hours the next step will be to sand the gelcoat and resume the prep of the other body panels for the next step where they are leveled, blocked, sanded smooth and flat. Ultimately a polysurfacer is applied and blocked before priming. Check back for further updates.
70 Vette is now being Gel-Coated. This polyester gelcoat (happens to be white) is used to seal raw glass which is how the Vette parts are sold. This thick 20ml coating acts like the shell of an egg to seal the fibers in the
70 Vette is now being Gel-Coated. This polyester gelcoat (happens to be white) is used to seal raw glass which is how the Vette parts are sold. This thick 20ml coating acts like the shell of an egg to seal the fibers in the
The gelcoat is guide coated and sands to a smooth 100 grit. Body work on doors and hood are finished and the areas are readied for the next layer of a polyester gelcoat. Basically a repeat of the last step however this product has more of a filling property while sealing the fiberglass. Again this product will be guide coated and block sanded smooth in preparation of the next layer of urethane primer.
The gelcoat is guide coated and sands to a smooth 100 grit. Body work on doors and hood are finished and the areas are readied for the next layer of a polyester gelcoat. Basically a repeat of the last step however this product has more of a filling property while sealing the fiberglass. Again this product will be guide coated and block sanded smooth in preparation of the next layer of urethane primer.
The gelcoat is guide coated and sands to a smooth 100 grit. Body work on doors and hood are finished and the areas are readied for the next layer of a polyester gelcoat. Basically a repeat of the last step however this product has more of a filling property while sealing the fiberglass. Again this product will be guide coated and block sanded smooth in preparation of the next layer of urethane primer.
The gelcoat is guide coated and sands to a smooth 100 grit. Body work on doors and hood are finished and the areas are readied for the next layer of a polyester gelcoat. Basically a repeat of the last step however this product has more of a filling property while sealing the fiberglass. Again this product will be guide coated and block sanded smooth in preparation of the next layer of urethane primer.
The process continues as the Vette's body is
The process continues as the Vette's body is "blocked"; a process of sanding the body to eliminate a wavy appearance of the panels. Compound curves make this process difficult and time consuming, however the result is a superior finish that makes the car look like it is made of glass. The secret of a show finish is in the block sanding.
The process continues as the Vette's body is
Right on schedule the Vette is prepared for painting. In fact we are a bout a week ahead of schedule. Cleaned washed and masked as needed.
Right on schedule the Vette is prepared for painting. In fact we are a bout a week ahead of schedule. Cleaned washed and masked as needed.
Right on schedule the Vette is prepared for painting. In fact we are a bout a week ahead of schedule. Cleaned washed and masked as needed.
The Vette is painted in one of our Down-draft Booths. The car is actually placed in one booth while the hood and other smaller parts are set up in the other twin booth. Once painted with Martin Senour Tech Base-Coat Clear Coat, the paint will be bake-cured to a hard, yet flexible finish.
The Vette is painted in one of our Down-draft Booths. The car is actually placed in one booth while the hood and other smaller parts are set up in the other twin booth. Once painted with Martin Senour Tech Base-Coat Clear Coat, the paint will be bake-cured to a hard, yet flexible finish.
The Vette is painted in one of our Down-draft Booths. The car is actually placed in one booth while the hood and other smaller parts are set up in the other twin booth. Once painted with Martin Senour Tech Base-Coat Clear Coat, the paint will be bake-cured to a hard, yet flexible finish.
Assembly continues on this 'Vette. However, a few parts that we thought were 'ok' do not meet our goal of assembly. Always a few surprises slow down completion when you're working with 40 year old parts. Corvettes at least allow for so many options in availability of reproduction and NOS parts. Of course, we are detailing the car as we go and along with those 40 years of use are a lot of band-aids applied by others. Somewhere here we want to reach a happy medium so our customer is pleased and can once again enjoy the car.
Assembly continues on this 'Vette. However, a few parts that we thought were 'ok' do not meet our goal of assembly. Always a few surprises slow down completion when you're working with 40 year old parts. Corvettes at least allow for so many options in availability of reproduction and NOS parts. Of course, we are detailing the car as we go and along with those 40 years of use are a lot of band-aids applied by others. Somewhere here we want to reach a happy medium so our customer is pleased and can once again enjoy the car.
Assembly continues on this 'Vette. However, a few parts that we thought were 'ok' do not meet our goal of assembly. Always a few surprises slow down completion when you're working with 40 year old parts. Corvettes at least allow for so many options in availability of reproduction and NOS parts. Of course, we are detailing the car as we go and along with those 40 years of use are a lot of band-aids applied by others. Somewhere here we want to reach a happy medium so our customer is pleased and can once again enjoy the car.
Assembly continues on this 'Vette. However, a few parts that we thought were 'ok' do not meet our goal of assembly. Always a few surprises slow down completion when you're working with 40 year old parts. Corvettes at least allow for so many options in availability of reproduction and NOS parts. Of course, we are detailing the car as we go and along with those 40 years of use are a lot of band-aids applied by others. Somewhere here we want to reach a happy medium so our customer is pleased and can once again enjoy the car.
The '70 Corvette is done and ready to make the trip home. All the repairs are complete and the owners are happy to have their prized Corvette back in one piece. This one was a close to a total-loss only because it was under-insurd. A new stated value policy will help the owners sleep at night. The bright white was blinding on the sunny day.
The '70 Corvette is done and ready to make the trip home. All the repairs are complete and the owners are happy to have their prized Corvette back in one piece. This one was a close to a total-loss only because it was under-insurd. A new stated value policy will help the owners sleep at night. The bright white was blinding on the sunny day.
The '70 Corvette is done and ready to make the trip home. All the repairs are complete and the owners are happy to have their prized Corvette back in one piece. This one was a close to a total-loss only because it was under-insurd. A new stated value policy will help the owners sleep at night. The bright white was blinding on the sunny day.
The '70 Corvette is done and ready to make the trip home. All the repairs are complete and the owners are happy to have their prized Corvette back in one piece. This one was a close to a total-loss only because it was under-insurd. A new stated value policy will help the owners sleep at night. The bright white was blinding on the sunny day.
The '70 Corvette is done and ready to make the trip home. All the repairs are complete and the owners are happy to have their prized Corvette back in one piece. This one was a close to a total-loss only because it was under-insurd. A new stated value policy will help the owners sleep at night. The bright white was blinding on the sunny day.

June 15,2007

Dear Mike,

We would like to thank you and your staff for all the time and effort you put into restoring our vehicle. The car has a lot of sentimental value to us. It was very upsetting and to put it nicely, to have to deal with all the aspects of insurance, adjusters and a specialty antique insurance company. We were beside ourselves.

Thanks to you and all the knowledgeable information you gave us. We were able to deal with all of the unforeseen road blocks the insurance company threw at us. After all that and your expertise in dealing with Corvettes not only was it a learning experience, it was quite interesting to watch the steps involved to bring our 1970 Vette back to showroom condition.

We are very pleased and excited to have our beautiful car back on the road again, and we are looking forward to doing cruises and car shows this summer. We will be sure to share with other car enthusiasts that Nick Orso's did the work! Thanks again for everything.

Sincerely, Al and Debbie B.