Ideas/Tips on Repainting Your Camaro

[Trainman]

Hey Guys ---- thinking about repainting my 2002 Camaro. As an alternative to new car fever. Never have had a car repainted, except for insurnace paid for dings. What should I look for? What type of paint? Base coat(s), clear coat, etc. Any tips would be appreciated. The last member Camaro i saw that had been repainted was Deane's black Z28. And that was a very nice job. And so was DC's post deer run in with his Camaro.

Will apprciate any comments. :cool:

[david068513]

are you just wanting a basic repaint or a whole new color or something custom?

[Camaro6662]

THREE SIMPLE STEPS to obtain a true Zaino show car finish
Step 1—STRIP THE OLD WAX
Wash the car, going top to bottom, with Dawn Ultra® liquid detergent.
Thoroughly rinse the car with a pressurized hose and spray nozzle. Make sure all detergent soap is gone. Leave Dawn in the kitchen since you'll never use it again on your car.
Dry completely using only clean, soft, absorbent towels.

Step 2—REMOVE CONTAMINANTS AND PREPARE THE SURFACE
Feel all paint surfaces. They should be glassy smooth. Contaminated rough areas are quickly minimized using Zaino Z-18 Claybar™ and a soap and water lubricant. Re-wash and dry the treated areas.
Look for hazy paint, swirl marks or fine scratches. Imperfections are reduced using Zaino's Z-PC Fusion™ paint cleaner and swirl remover.
Add a light coat of Z-AIO™ to all paint as the foundation and bonding agent. Remove with clean, soft towels.

Step 3—APPLY AND REMOVE ZAINO POLISH*
CHOOSE THE RIGHT ZAINO POLISH FOR YOUR VEHICLE'S PAINT
Z-2 PRO™ Show Car Polish is for paint with a clear coat finish—virtually all modern cars.
Z-3™ Show Car Polish is for paint without a clear coat—vintage cars, special aftermarket paint, etc.
Z-5 PRO™ Show Car Polish is just like Z-2, but helps hide swirls and micro scratches in dark color paint.
Spray a little Z-6 Gloss Enhancer™ on your Zaino Polish Applicator. Apply Zaino polish to the paint. Use up/down motions on vertical surfaces, and front/rear (front to back of car) motions on horizontal.
Allow the polish to dry and chemically bond on the entire car for at least fifteen minutes. To test for dry, wipe an area with a finger. Dry polish is slightly powdery and comes off with one stroke, revealing clear dry paint underneath. Low temperature or high humidity can increase drying time up to two to three hours. Remove the dried polish using high quality towels.
When all polish is removed, spray a light coat of Z-6 Gloss Enhancer. Immediately buff dry.

[BlueBeast]

As one who has exclusively used Zaino on my car from day one I'll only add one comment to Greg's reply. The more coats of the polish the better!! When I was prepping my car for a show a few years ago I had plenty of time so I just kept doing additional coats of the polish and enhancer steps (as Zaino recommends) ..... when I got to the FIFTH coat I couldn't believe the difference.... unbelieveable!! I wound up stopping at seven coats for that show and took top honors for the club that I was showing with.

[Chick]

Tom if you're staying with the SOM, I've heard there are limited resources for it. If you are thinking of changing colors, I wouldn't. It's a SOM car after all.

[Trainman]

Thanks for all the replies. I am considering a total re-paint of my original color, SOM, code #71. I am looking for a quality paint job equal to or better than factory finish. Thus the comments aboiut number of base coats, clear coat etc. I have a couple dings, scratches, and two prior fender benders that I am trying to live with. A lot of the paint is in good shapes, but there is just enough that isn't that is bugging me. I realize that not too many 2002's are looking for new paint, but . . . . . .

[james hyde]

So glad to hear that you will be staying with sunset orange, one of my favorites of all time. I am about to shopping for the same issue with a black car.

[Camaro6662]

So glad to hear that you will be staying with sunset orange, one of my favorites of all time. I am about to shopping for the same issue with a black car.
Lets see a pic of that black car :D

[james hyde]

Oh you don't want see this one! It is rough! Besides that photobucket has thrown me a curve, can't get pictures to load any more.

[Chick]

So that's what we were PMing about, lol! Gonna try to work it out with ya.

Good to hear Tom, I hear it's a difficult color to "do" though. Go with the very best shop in your area if you can.

[Trainman]

Any one type of paint better than another. Number of coats? Ideas?

[james hyde]

Thanks Sue, frustration in the northeast corner for sure!

[james hyde]

Hey Trainman, looking forward to seeing that new 02 soon!

[Trainman]

Hey--I like to think of it as the new 2010 resto-mod Z28 -- she's still in the shop as we speak. Had to get new headlamps, the ones from Ecklers were crap. Had to get GM units at Nash Chevy dealer. They we real nice and gave me a discount because (1-I looked poor 2- I said I was SECamaroZ member or 3- I looked desparate). The final badges and decals will be installed several weeks later (just prior to Gathering) after paint has cured and dried properly.
shiftin

[james hyde]

Sorry to hear about the lights, I have heard a lot of complaints about some of the re-production product.

[Trainman]

Got em back and the paint is great. The headlamps are straight on but very low. Someone coming to the pasture event know what type screw driver to turn on proper screw?????

[james hyde]

Good deal, we will fix you right up tomorrow.

[Trainman]

Thanks for offer of help. They appear to aim fairly straight but very low.:rolleyes:

[hotrodz28]

Where can I get that Zaino? I would like to try it!

[RedZ]

I've used Zaino exclusively for the past 5 years and I love it - won't use anything else!:cool:

www.zainostore.com