A new paint job depends on the condition of everything underneath it. On a classic car, that can include decades of old paint, body filler, previous repairs, and corrosion that are difficult to judge from the outside.
That is why GB Customs starts at bare metal when we take responsibility for a guaranteed restoration paint job. Removing the existing finish lets us inspect the metal, address the underlying problems, and control the preparation beneath the new paint.
Customers sometimes ask us to paint over bodywork completed by another shop to save time or reduce the initial cost. We refuse to build a guaranteed finish over work we cannot verify. Our Chevy Nova project helps explain why.
The Nova during bodywork, followed by a later view of the rear quarter with an even dark coating. Repair and surface preparation happen before the final finish.
Once the metal is exposed, preparation continues. Residue and contamination must be removed, damaged areas addressed, and the surface protected with products approved for the chosen paint system. Bare steel needs prompt corrosion protection. Appropriate direct-to-metal primers can provide adhesion and corrosion resistance when applied according to their product instructions.
Going to bare metal alone does not make a paint job durable. It gives us the access needed to do the repair and preparation correctly.
The Preparation Behind The Finished Nova
The Nova photographs document several stages between bodywork and finished paint. The disassembled shell, partially assembled car, and spray-booth views make clear how much work takes place before the final appearance comes together.
The body shell during preparation and the partially assembled Nova as work progresses.
After the underlying repairs, surface refinement and primer sanding help establish the panel shape and reveal remaining imperfections. Guide coats can help identify low spots, pinholes, and sanding scratches before the finish is applied. The products and sanding steps must follow the coating system requirements.
The Nova in the spray booth before paint application and with its glossy black finish.
A fresh finish can make a car look dramatically different. The work beneath it determines whether that appearance rests on a properly prepared surface.
Why Bare Metal Is Required For Our Guarantee
Our policy is straightforward: We guarantee all of our work when we take the project down to bare metal. We do not offer a guarantee on paint jobs that do not start at bare metal.
We need to know what is underneath the paint we apply. Starting at bare metal lets us evaluate the surface and take responsibility for our own preparation and bodywork. Painting over another shop’s unknown repairs would leave part of the finished job dependent on work we did not control.
Sound existing coatings can be retained in some refinishing situations. Our standard for guaranteed restoration paintwork is to remove that uncertainty and begin with the metal itself.
The Nova during surface finishing with its glass masked, followed by the finished black exterior in the shop.
Stripping and preparation add work at the beginning. Skipping them can leave an owner paying for a new finish over problems that still need repair. If those problems later affect the paint, the job may have to be stripped and refinished again.
Plan Your Restoration With GB Customs
Whether your classic needs a complete restoration or you are considering new paint over previous bodywork, start with a conversation about the condition of the car and the preparation it needs.
Contact GB Customs in Corbin, Kentucky, to discuss your project, or call (606) 528-6824.