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Paint it or leave it: '56 Corvette

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Cranky Chain Cycles

Finally riding a big boys bike
The painting process is overwhelming me. I'm debating whether or not I want to repaint this '56 Corvette. Obviously, it needs new rubber and decals. Some would probably say to leave the paint and just wax and polish it. I'm a perfectionist and want it to have a show quality look. With that said, I'm leaning towards repainting it. Keep in mind I've never done a full blown strip and paint.

I've gone over Momo608's thread extensively and to be honest, I don't know what half of it means. Reducers and sealers…huh? I love his results. I've refurbished a bunch of Schwinn lightweights but I've always found ones that had good original paint so they just got a good polish. The Vintage Schwinn website makes it sound like all you need is a couple bottles of primer and enamel and you're all set.

My father-in-law insists that I go with lacquer because it's the most brilliant. Vintage Schwinn uses acrylic enamel. Again, I've never seen a side-by-side comparison so I have nothing to base my own opinion on. I've tried YouTubing and Googling the subject; most of what pops up is old cars.

Can someone tell momo608 to make an instructional in-depth video please? If you know of anything like this that exists, please post a link.


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I'm pretty picky about the paint on my bikes, but I'd have to be forced to repaint that Corvette. I would clean it up and maybe redecal it if it was mine, the paint still looks very nice from what I can see.
As far as a how to video painting a Schwinn Opal, Radiant or any other translucent color, I've never seen one. It's more involved and takes more talent then shooting a frame with Black paint out of a spray can. Momo goes for show quality and uses high dollar materials that in most cases probably cost more than the bike itself. His choice of paint would not be considered an equal or close to what was used originally but it does look very nice and it is a professional job. If you are shooting for a show quality finish and plan on doing it yourself, I would suggest getting some practice on a few clunkers or beaters first. Expecting to get a show quality type paint job the first time around isn't going to happen, no matter how many videos you watch or how many articles you read. You could have that frame blasted and powder coated in a candy red for 200 or so. Having it painted to match the factory paint would cost you twice that easy, unless you know someone that owes you a big favor. I've seen where some people have used a color matched metallic paint bi-passing the aluminum base coat (momo and others ;)) and that works but it's not what was on these bikes originally, and the finish does look very different even though the color is dead on.
Read up on painting, watch vids, ask questions and paint a bunch of beaters for experience.
 
If you plan to keep it forever and you want perfection then paint it.
They are only original once and if you clean and wax it it should be quite brilliant as is.
It will also be more valuable if you ever decide to sell it.

I have no plans on selling. So far that’s about 6 votes NO, 1 YES (my father-in-law) for repaint. I’m sensing a trend. My plan now is to see the results after it gets polished up.


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I have no plans on selling. So far that’s about 6 votes NO, 1 YES (my father-in-law) for repaint. I’m sensing a trend. My plan now is to see the results after it gets polished up.


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I think you will be amazed with a light polishing compound and a wax.

The other advantage is you won’t be heartbroken when it gets it’s first nick.
 
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