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1991 Formula Paint Experiment

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Old Feb 9, 2026 | 08:11 AM
  #1  
IROCIN's Avatar
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From: Ft Wayne, IN
Car: Irocs 87 Conv 5 spd & 87 T-Top auto
Engine: LB9/L98
Transmission: MM5/Auto
1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Picked up this 1991 Formula last month from an estate. Not a perfect car, but i figured for the price, it would be a good car to tinker with since it is a 5 speed with the base TBI motor. Interior is good but the body has a few areas to deal with, the rear spoiler being the main issue. So...jump into it, having never done any body work/painting before. All was going pretty well until the last coat of clear...then the kink in the airline happened and dropped a glob of clear on the spoiler. Lesson #1 learned, pay attention to your airline... Anyway, just wanted to post this for anyone getting ready to tackle painting...just jump in and try it. The guy that is giving me advice told me that rule #1 is, "it's just paint"... I have some block sanding to do on the blob to get it down, but it is a great practice piece to learn on before I start the paint on my 87 Iroc that I plan to do the whole car this spring.... It gives you an appreciation for the guys that are good at it, that's for sure!





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Old Feb 9, 2026 | 01:56 PM
  #2  
ACebell's Avatar
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From: The Villages, FL
Car: 1983 Camaro Z28
Engine: Originally LU5, but now Carb'd
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 323
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Nice work! Yes, it is just pant. One of the guy's here said something similar about paint, it's just paint. His advice got me over my fear of painting my car. Practice makes experience.
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Old Feb 9, 2026 | 02:00 PM
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Car: '89 GTA
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Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 3.70:1
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Originally Posted by IROCIN
Picked up this 1991 Formula last month from an estate. Not a perfect car, but i figured for the price, it would be a good car to tinker with since it is a 5 speed with the base TBI motor. Interior is good but the body has a few areas to deal with, the rear spoiler being the main issue. So...jump into it, having never done any body work/painting before. All was going pretty well until the last coat of clear...then the kink in the airline happened and dropped a glob of clear on the spoiler. Lesson #1 learned, pay attention to your airline... Anyway, just wanted to post this for anyone getting ready to tackle painting...just jump in and try it. The guy that is giving me advice told me that rule #1 is, "it's just paint"... I have some block sanding to do on the blob to get it down, but it is a great practice piece to learn on before I start the paint on my 87 Iroc that I plan to do the whole car this spring.... It gives you an appreciation for the guys that are good at it, that's for sure!
Totally agree. Painting is fun and just go do it and figure it out. Most minor mistakes are fixable and like you said, it's just paint. Starting out on a spoiler is perfect. Separate from the rest of the car, not too hard of a part to paint. Runs, sags, drips & orange peel can be wet sanded out. Do a few more small parts before tackling a whole car. Good job.
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Old Feb 10, 2026 | 02:53 PM
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Nice work. I love that color!
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Old Feb 10, 2026 | 03:56 PM
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From: Franklin, KY near Beech Bend Raceway, Corvette Plant and Museum.
Car: 1992 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0L L03 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Nice thing is you get some learning experience and no matter how it turns out it's miles better looking than what you started out with.
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Old Feb 10, 2026 | 08:11 PM
  #6  
IROCIN's Avatar
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From: Ft Wayne, IN
Car: Irocs 87 Conv 5 spd & 87 T-Top auto
Engine: LB9/L98
Transmission: MM5/Auto
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Originally Posted by Airwolfe
Nice thing is you get some learning experience and no matter how it turns out it's miles better looking than what you started out with.
Thanks. That is how I look at it. It won’t be professional, but way better than before!
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Old Feb 10, 2026 | 10:49 PM
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Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt/3.45
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Looks pretty good. "It's just paint" sounds like Paint Society on YT. Good channel. I haven't tried anything yet, but he explains and demonstrates well. Spare headlight covers should be good test pieces.
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Old Feb 11, 2026 | 07:33 PM
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From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Nice work! If that's the original zenoy plastic spoiler, be very careful with it. They can be very brittle
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Old Feb 11, 2026 | 08:13 PM
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From: Moorpark, CA
Car: '91 GTA, '92 T/A Convertible
Engine: GTA: 350 w/Vortec heads, T/A: 305
Transmission: Pro-built 700R4
Axle/Gears: GTA: 3.27, T/A: 2.73
Re: 1991 Formula Paint Experiment

Originally Posted by LAFireboyd
Looks pretty good. "It's just paint" sounds like Paint Society on YT. Good channel. I haven't tried anything yet, but he explains and demonstrates well. Spare headlight covers should be good test pieces.
I've been watching his videos a lot lately. Trying to build up the courage to try stuff myself.
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