62 CHEVY HIGH PERFORMANCE II NOVEMBER 2019
GET GREAT
PAINT!
Axalta Coatings
855.629.2582
axaltacs.com
Hot Rod Specialties
909.215.5516
hotrodspecialties.net
Superstition Restoration
480.252.6893GET THE HOOKUP
The perfect paintjob comes from prep and discipline
TEXT: Jim Smart | PHOTOS: the Author AND Joel Rode
sound paintjob, depending upon when
your ride rolled off the assembly line
and the condition of the finish. If you’re
doing a 1980’s vintage Chevy Malibu or
Monte Carlo SS be prepared to take it
down to the metal. Many of these rides
assembled during the “big hair” era
had those first waterborne basecoat/
clearcoat finishes that fell off the body
in sheets. Do not use these finishes as
a foundation.
Lacquer and enamel finishes
factory-applied in the 1960s make
good foundations for a paintjob
because they were solvent-based andG
etting perfect paint has never been for the faint of heart. There’s a tremendous
amount of labor involved, whether you do it yourself or take it to a trusted body
shop. If you take it to a shop, just know that most body shops tackle fast-paying
crash and insurance work first, then get to your weekend toy when they have time.
If you’re going to tackle getting great paint yourself, you’re going to have to be
patient and tenacious because it won’t get great by itself. If your project begins
with a damaged and rusted body, be prepared to burn a lot of midnight oil because
great paint is all about proper prep. Sheetmetal replacement and rust repair take
time and are just the beginning of getting a great paintjob.
Joel Rode of Hot Rod Specialties in Upland, California, tells us to lay down paint
that will endure the passage of time you need a good foundation. Although Joel
doesn’t paint cars himself, he understands the fundamentals of preparation before
it goes to the body shop for paint. Learning how to do the prep work yourself is a
good way to save some money.
We’ve found the original factory finish on most cars is a good foundation for a
WRENCH