Body Preparation, Priming and Painting For a striking appearance to complement the high-end performance of the CobraB.-replica, we elected to have a first-rate racing style paint-job applied to the fiberglass body. Johnny Cate, owner of a custom-vehicle shop that specializes in vintage-vehicle restoration and creation of custom street-rods, provides an overview of the numerous steps that go into the creation of a show-quality finish. Important: Auto painting, particularly of the caliber shown in our demonstration, is not a job for novices. Seek the services a professional body and paint shop for application of the paint and finish for your replica.
Recall that, at the beginning of the kit-car project, the fiberglass body was removed from the chassis and disassembled -- removing various body accessories that come pre-installed (see episode 102 of DIY's Build a Kit Car). Once the accessories are removed, the body can be transported to a paint or custom shop for prepping, priming and painting. Since this is a process that's independent from the engine disassembly, assembly and installation, it can take place at any time prior to the final stages of assembly -- perhaps while the engine is being rebuilt at the machine shop.
When the body arrives at the shop, it is placed on a roll-around body dolly so that it can be moved and positioned with relative ease. The doors, hood and trunk deck-lid are removed (figure A) and stored in a secure area.
The manufacturing process for the fiberglass body leaves, by necessity, some seams in the fiberglass from where the pieces of the body-mold meet. There are two large seams across the topside of the body, at the front and the rear. The presence of seams and minor imperfections is typical on any fiberglass-bodied car. As the first step in the body-prep, the seams and any other body imperfections are removed by sanding (figure B).
Once the seams and imperfections have been sanded down, and the body surface is smooth and leveled, filler is applied to the sanded areas (figure C).
After the filler hardens, it also is sanded smooth (figure D). The filler, in combination with the sanding, removes any final imperfections.
The paint-technician then mixes the chemical compounds that make up an etching primer (figure E) that forms a bond and seals the body exterior. Precise measurement of the compounds ensures a fine initial coating.
In a safe, EPA-approved paint booth, the etching primer is applied (figure F). The paint booth serves to contain any toxic vapors as well as to provide a controlled area so that the primers and paints can be applied evenly and in the absence of any contaminants. Technicians are trained in safety precautions relating to the use of these chemicals, and they wear protective masks.
The etching primer is followed by a coat of standard primer (figure G), also applied in the paint booth.
Once the primers have been applied, the finish is fine-sanded and then sprayed with another form of primer known as a "junk primer" or guide coat (figure H). This step reveals any remaining minor imperfections in the coat.
Another coat of primer is applied, the finish is sanded again, and then another guide coat is applied. The whole process may be repeated again. And yet again.
Once all primer coats have been applied, the body is removed from the booth (figure I) and prepared for wet-sanding. The technicians wrap fine sandpaper around paint-sticks to ensure even sanding, and carefully sand the finish while it is continuously flushed with water (figure J). The wet-sanding process results in a slick, ultra-smooth prime-coat.
The primed body is returned to the paint booth, and wiped down to remove any debris or residue from the wet-sanding process. The body is now prepared to receive the paint coats.
A sealer coat is applied, followed by a coat of white paint. Although the color we selected for the vehicle is red, we also opted for wide white racing stripes. The initial coat of white paint will be used to create the racing stripes.
Once the white paint has been applied, the body is measured and marked off for the racing stripes (figure K). Precision measurements and markings are made to ensure that the stripes are perfectly straight and even.
The marked locations of the white stripes are taped and blocked off in preparation for application of the first coat of red paint (figure L). The measuring and blocking process are conducted to precise standards. After the stripe areas have been blocked, the body will be wiped down once again.
With the stripes taped off, the technician sprays the coating of red paint over the entire body -- inside and outside (figure M).
Once the paint has had a chance to set up, the tape and paper blocking is carefully peeled off revealing the white stripes (figure N).
The final step in the process is the application of a protective clear-coat finish over the entire body (figure O).
RESOURCES :
cobracountry.com
Premiere online resource for all things related to CobraB. reproductions. Established by enthusiast Curt Scott, and maintained by Crown Communications of Santa Clarita, CA, the site contains news, articles archives, a directory of Cobra-replica specialists and manufacturers, aftermarket sources, announcements of upcoming shows and rallies, listings of Cobra clubs, links to other Cobra sites, and more.
Cobra Country
Website: www.cobracountry.com
Unique Motorcars
Unique Motorcars
(Unique Cobra Specialists)
Manufacturers of high-quality Cobra® replicas since 1977, Unique Motorcars also maintains an informational and well-illustrated web site providing information about their Cobra reproductions and related products. Assembly manuals for their kits (including the one used in DIY's Build A Kit Car workshop) are available on their site.
230 E. Broad Street
Gadsden, AL 35903
Phone: 256-546-3708
Web site: www.uniquecobrareplicas.com
Information also available at:
www.cobracountry.com/unique
The Cobra Story: A Man, His Dream and His Automobile
Author: Carroll Shelby and John Bentley
1965, Trident Press
Carroll Shelby website
Shelby Cobra: The Shelby American Original Color Archives 1962-1965
Model: 0879387572
Author: Dave Friedman
(1994)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Essential AC Cobra : The Cars and Their Story 1962-67
Model: 1870979850
Author: Rinsley Mills
(1997)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Shelby Cobra Gold Portfolio, 1962-69
Model: 1855200236
Author: R.M. Clarke
(1990)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Carroll Shelby's Racing Cobra
Model: 0850454573
Author: Dave Friedman and John Christy
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Shelby's Wildlife: The Cobras and Mustangs
Model: 0879380454
Author: Wallace A. Wyss
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
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REAL VIDEO
