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Auto Detailing and AppearanceShare tips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something tasteful looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.
Been away a while after buying a new house and dealing with that.. I've checked in here and there.. also decided to send the IROC to get new Paint..
Here's why:
The original paint was good, but not perfect
-front end had spider cracks, front spoiler looked like it bumped something
-lots of chips on front end
-little dings on hood and doors
-some fading on rear quarter trim
-chips behind rear wheels
I know a guy in East Longmeadow Mass that has done awesome restorations and show winning paint. The paint booth is incredible. He takes the whole car apart, restores the body and bakes the paint on like a factory job. You can wash and wax the car right when you get it back.. no "curing time". he's done show cars that are close to a million bucks. He does $20,000-$30,000 custom paint jobs, etc
I worked for a place known for collision and learned how to detail there.. those guys always said if you have the money, "go to Bodyworks"
So I made the decision to make this car showroom perfect.
I had to buy all the parts and did a cash deal.. I am very happy with the results.
He got the exact factory color from the paint code (which he said was wicked expensive paint).. said I was lucky he stuck to the quote he gave me..
he already knew about the flat black that they used on the headlight buckets.
I got a new grille from a Chevy dealer.. I don't remember the grills being glossy but that's how it came out of the GM box from Quirk Chevrolet
I got side moldings from Hawks and he actually said he likes these better than the factory because the paint match looks awesome. I agree.. the factory injected moldings were faded.. the new ones look way better than I expected! He was very hesitant about aftermarket moldings but really liked them.
He somehow fixed my warped front spoiler and got it straight. All the urethane parts were painted with flex additive like new cars so they won't ever crack again. He said not to use an aftermarket spoiler.. said they are all junk.. said he could get it back to original shape..
He didn't paint the door jams or anywhere there were factory stickers..
I went to a few cruise nights and people weren't sure if it was a re-paint because it really looks like showroom factory paint which is what I wanted.. some people that knew it had to be new Paint thought it was a $20,000 job.. it was less than half that..
Somehow he surgically removed and saved the "IROC Z" bumper emblem which you can't get an accurate replica anywhere.. I found a gold NOS one on EBay for $500!
I'm very impressed with the parts I got from Hawks.. I lost sleep over the side moldings and now that I see them on the car I can sleep again..
The paint job and all the parts probably ran around $7000 give or take.. and that was with a cash deal and everything.. I'm very happy with the job! Took almost a year for him to get the job done as he had other restorations in front of me and collision work.. It was worth it though.. it looks like a brand new IROC Z!
We were all very impressed with the decal kit from Phoenix Graphics too! He said it was identical to what they'd get from GM.. I spend hours making a document with pictures and descriptions in case there was any question.. they measured and nailed everything!
Looks awesome. Realistically, your repaint is probably much better than when the car left the factory.
The repro grill would bother me. The glossy repros are wrong. The original would match the hood louvers and headlight buckets. If not for that detail and the exhaust tips it'd look "right". Of course there's nothing wrong with it now, I'm just a stickler.
I do have the original floormats, but I am really impressed with the mats I got from Classic Industries.. I had them in my old IROC from high school and these new ones are even better! They are cut to fit around the seat trim and perfectly in the wells.. Super high quality and I can preserve the original mats!
It's not a repro Grill.. it's From Chevy.. you can still get IROC grills brand new from Chevy and that's how they look..
I have the original one which is in ok shape.. but does have wear, bug stains, and holes for the plate..
I like the glossy Grill with the new Paint, but I know what you're saying about the buckets, etc.. I guess at some point Chevy started making the Grill glossy.. I could go either way but I was worried when I pulled it out of the box.. Luckily the car is shiny as hell to go with it! I used to put dressing on my old IROC grille to make it look like that in the 90s.. ha ha
Now the big question for convertible people, did he re-use the rear spoiler welting/isolator or were you able to source a new one?
Thanks guys! I saw some questions about new Paint and figured I'd share my experience
It looks new on mine.. guys at the cruise nights commented that the spoiler welting looked brand new..
There were certain parts he told me to get and certain parts he said he would get. He replaced the window felts and some other parts. I'll ask about the spoiler welting..
He also didn't put the black door edge guards on because we both thought it looked better without.. I have them but he said once you put them on you can't take them off. I prefer without.
I'm thinking about removing the chrome tips, but I kinda like them. I had them on my 87 back in the nineties. They are welded on too.. I have to get Exhaust work this week and may have them removed.. on the fence there
I wish they made a stock radio with Bluetooth in it.. that would be sick! Cassette and Bluetooth! I do have the stock radio though..
Your car does look absolutely amazing, I have always thought that a thirdgen Camaro is right up there in the convertible catagory for some of the nicest lines.
Thanks guys! I saw some questions about new Paint and figured I'd share my experience
It looks new on mine.. guys at the cruise nights commented that the spoiler welting looked brand new..
There were certain parts he told me to get and certain parts he said he would get. He replaced the window felts and some other parts. I'll ask about the spoiler welting..
He also didn't put the black door edge guards on because we both thought it looked better without.. I have them but he said once you put them on you can't take them off. I prefer without.
I'm thinking about removing the chrome tips, but I kinda like them. I had them on my 87 back in the nineties. They are welded on too.. I have to get Exhaust work this week and may have them removed.. on the fence there
I wish they made a stock radio with Bluetooth in it.. that would be sick! Cassette and Bluetooth! I do have the stock radio though..
So the painter did replace the spoiler welting? If so, what did he use?
It's not a repro Grill.. it's From Chevy.. you can still get IROC grills brand new from Chevy and that's how they look..
GM sells a reproduction, the same as you see elsewhere. Like a lot of parts, GM will repackage aftermarket parts and sell them under their label. It may be a current GM part, but that doesn't make it accurate. The grills didn't get glossy until sometime in the last 15 years.
The glossy grills bothered me enough that I took the time to fill the rock chips, plate holes, and scratches in my original grill and painted it the correct semi-gloss black. It was a pain, but I'm happy with it.
GM sells a reproduction, the same as you see elsewhere. Like a lot of parts, GM will repackage aftermarket parts and sell them under their label. It may be a current GM part, but that doesn't make it accurate. The grills didn't get glossy until sometime in the last 15 years.
The glossy grills bothered me enough that I took the time to fill the rock chips, plate holes, and scratches in my original grill and painted it the correct semi-gloss black. It was a pain, but I'm happy with it.
The shiny grill does go well with the paint!
I wonder if giving a new grill a coat or two of clear matt would do the trick?
GM sells a reproduction, the same as you see elsewhere. Like a lot of parts, GM will repackage aftermarket parts and sell them under their label. It may be a current GM part, but that doesn't make it accurate. The grills didn't get glossy until sometime in the last 15 years.
The glossy grills bothered me enough that I took the time to fill the rock chips, plate holes, and scratches in my original grill and painted it the correct semi-gloss black. It was a pain, but I'm happy with it.
The shiny grill does go well with the paint!
I do have the old grille so maybe I could do that as well! Fill the holes, sand it, and paint it flat black and redo the lettering with a paint marker.. would be cool to have both..
GM sometimes just changes parts too.. I got a new HVAC control for my Tahoe LTZ because the fan buttons were worn and the light was shining through.. the brand new part (same part number) now has the external temperature which the old one didn't have..
I wonder if giving a new grill a coat or two of clear matt would do the trick?
Possibly. Like most of the trim, it's not flat and it's not gloss, it's somewhere in the middle. The hard part would be getting the right degree of gloss.
Originally Posted by 88IROCvertZ
I do have the old grille so maybe I could do that as well! Fill the holes, sand it, and paint it flat black and redo the lettering with a paint marker.. would be cool to have both..
Just be mindful of the type of plastic the grill is molded from. IIRC it's polycarbonate, the same stuff as composite headlights. So you have to be a bit careful about what you spray on it. Check the back for the mold markings, and research before you spray.
Possibly. Like most of the trim, it's not flat and it's not gloss, it's somewhere in the middle. The hard part would be getting the right degree of gloss.
Just be mindful of the type of plastic the grill is molded from. IIRC it's polycarbonate, the same stuff as composite headlights. So you have to be a bit careful about what you spray on it. Check the back for the mold markings, and research before you spray.
Good tip!
I sanded and sprayed my louvers on my 87 and they looked brand new for the rest of the car's life.. figured it was the same as the louvers..
Thanks! There were time I thought I made a mistake because the car was in good shape.. my wife thought I was nuts but when I got it back she was even like, "holly crap!"
My biggest fear was the body side moldings, but the Hawks Moldings are really awesome.. they look legit and then some..
Looks gorgeous! Do you know what line of paint he used? I've never heard of a paint that is cured enough to wax right away, even after baking.
I've read articles that say it's fine to wash new Paint and wax as long as you use mild soap meant for washing paint.
I asked him about it because when I had my 87 repainted in the 90s I was supposed to wait 30 days to wash and wax..
All I know is he told me their process uses the top of the line equipment to achieve their results.. he said after the paint is baked on it will be 100% cured and I can wash and wax..
From website:
BodyWorks Unlimited has earned an outstanding reputation for custom painting and top honors in color matching for collision repair.
We offer 3 paint lines:
Diamont for American
Glasurite for European
House of Colors for Harley Davidsons and Custom Paint Works
BodyWorks Unlimited specializes in vintage and restoration color match for all projects.
Our spray booth is top of the line “Nova Verta” downdraft with all the latest equipment and technology. NovaVerta spray booth at BodyWorks Unlimited - custom painting and collision repairWe have a computerized color matching system with all paint mixed in-house individually for each vehicle to ensure an exact color match. However, “House of Colors” is special ordered only.
All primers, clears and paint are guaranteed for as long as you own the car against fading, cracking and blistering as long as the vehicle is properly maintained.
BodyWorks Unlimited, Inc. has won many awards over the years for our craftsmanship, styling and unusual way with color and design on all types of vehicles.
Our team can work with you to create the design and look for each individual’s personality.
Our creative team has used renowned artists over the years who have all helped us to earn top awards at many shows.
Last edited by 88IROCvertZ; 09-14-2017 at 01:48 PM.
Thanks! There were time I thought I made a mistake because the car was in good shape.. my wife thought I was nuts but when I got it back she was even like, "holly crap!"
My biggest fear was the body side moldings, but the Hawks Moldings are really awesome.. they look legit and then some..
You made the right call! Legit looks better than it did new probably!!
I also took critiques from other members and ditched the chrome tips..
The 3.5” chrome tips were a bit much. I had Exhaust work done today and went with more stock 2.5” and they are still chrome, but don’t stick out 3” past the bumper anymore..
I looked at the stock pipes with the guy doing my exhaust and he said he could replicate it, but we both came up with a better compromise in our opinion..
I also took critiques from other members and ditched the chrome tips..
The 3.5” chrome tips were a bit much. I had Exhaust work done today and went with more stock 2.5” and they are still chrome, but don’t stick out 3” past the bumper anymore..
I looked at the stock pipes with the guy doing my exhaust and he said he could replicate it, but we both came up with a better compromise in our opinion..
OP; how would you rate those Doral tires? I've been on the fence about trying a set. TIA!
They are fine. I’ve only put 600 miles on them. The previous owner had to put them before shipping the car because the tires on the car were really old.
It’s hard to find tires in that size anymore.. the only other two IROCs I’ve seen at cruise nights had them as well. They are super cheap but get good reviews. They look good and have a decent tread design.
They are definitely better than the Goodyear’s that came on the cars and the GSCs that were on the 90s Z28s. I always liked the Nitto and Ventus tires you could get in the 90s
09-12-2017, 11:28 PM
Of course there's nothing wrong with it now, I'm just a stickler. 
