Street Serpent #5

[Jeff Lemke]

Yea, it looks kinda like a gray chrome in that photo. It's more like a hardened shell that seals the fillers and allows for a nice sandable surface for priming. The panels are baked again also.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lemke]

After blocking the gel coat, the parts are primed. I'll be back the day after Christmas to start painting the front half of the car with color.

Merry Christmas.

Jeff

 

[jpas]

What paint system do you use (PPG, DuPont...)?

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Actually both, depending on the application. We use mostly urathane primers (dupont) but will use a ppg epoxy primer for areas that need more durability. The basecoat on this car will be ppg because ppg matches the yellow much better than the dupont, but I usually use a dupont bascoat on most of our products.

We are also going to be using a ARMORCOAT clear for the front facia. This is a rubbery type of clear that "bounces" away debris avoiding chips. More on this later.

http://armorcoat.armorauto.com/

Jeff

 

[JGK95]

Just found this and am completely floored!!

Jeff, you and your team's attention to detail is overwhelming!!

I loved reading each page of dedication to detail and more!! I looked forward to clicking next at the bottom of each page so I could learn and enjoy more info!

The only disappointment was when I reached the bottom of the last page thinking...

"Wait!! Where's the next page??"

This is a truly awesome project and I (as well as many others) look forward to your next post!!

Jay K.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Just found this and am completely floored!!

Jeff, you and your team's attention to detail is overwhelming!!

I loved reading each page of dedication to detail and more!! I looked forward to clicking next at the bottom of each page so I could learn and enjoy more info!

The only disappointment was when I reached the bottom of the last page thinking...

"Wait!! Where's the next page??"

This is a truly awesome project and I (as well as many others) look forward to your next post!!

Jay K.

Wow, thanks. I didn't know it was such a page turner. At least we're not affected by the writers strike.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Looking smokin' Jeff!!! Great job...thanx for all the illustrations and walk-throughs you've posted for all of us...hope you have a GREAT holiday season...may the New Year be a great one for you and yours. ~juli

Always nice comments from, Juli.


Thanks.


Jeff

 

[ROCKET62]

Did you also consider Armorcoating the sills?

Actually both, depending on the application. We use mostly urathane primers (dupont) but will use a ppg epoxy primer for areas that need more durability. The basecoat on this car will be ppg because ppg matches the yellow much better than the dupont, but I usually use a dupont bascoat on most of our products.

We are also going to be using a ARMORCOAT clear for the front facia. This is a rubbery type of clear that "bounces" away debris avoiding chips. More on this later.

http://armorcoat.armorauto.com/

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Did you also consider Armorcoating the sills?

Rocket,

You will find that the advantage of a Street Serpent sill (vs stock) is that it acts like a giant mud flap. I live one mile down a dirt road and I put 7,000 miles on my Street Serpent last summer and have ZERO stone chips on the outside of my sills.

That said, a piece of of the 3M type clear tape can go right behind the wheel virtually unnoticed to protect the inner well portion. If we have some left over Armorcoat, we'll probably put some there. I am not a fan of tape on the outside of the car, but I can accept it inside the wheel well.



Jeff

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Yellow base coat...

Then 3 coats of clear...

 

[HI-NOS-Viper]

Looking good Jeff, cant wait to see it all put back together as I am sure you cant either.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Color test is a success! No need to paint the doors, it's a perfect match. This usually does not happen with yellow.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

I like to use a sharpie as a guide when I sand clear coat. Depening on how much orange peel or dust is in the paint, it is divided into sections with different grit.

It is then blocked flat using the sharpie marks as a guide for when to stop wet sanding.

We sand until all sections have reached about 2500 grit.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

 

[Jeff Lemke]

After sanding, we polish to shine.

Using the factory panel as reference, we grade our paint job. I think the factory paint on a Viper is pretty good (especially compared to a Vette), and our goal is to surpass the factory finish to a certain degree. Although impossible to see in the photo, I think we've done it. It has less orange peel and a bit more of a glass look. Factory panel: 7.5, Street Serpent: 8.3 out of 10.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Much of the reason I like to paint off the car is we can get a factory type look after assembly. This is very evident when it comes to things like mounting screws and inner door areas.

 

[JGK95]

Beautiful... Just Beautiful!!

 

[Vypr Phil]

Much of the reason I like to paint off the car is we can get a factory type look after assembly. This is very evident when it comes to things like mounting screws and inner door areas.

I could not agree more.

The mark of a true professional and a perfectionist!

The finished product will be awesome Jeff.

Phil

 

[Jeff Lemke]

The tow hook was much too orange so it has been repainted Viper red.

 

[Sleekride]

The more I read this thread the more exited I get for Rick and his soon to evolve street serpent. I'm very impressed w/ the workmanship on this project. Great job Jeff!

 

[Hirohawa]

Really impressive craftsmanship! Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Happy New Year.

Jeff

 

[Vypr Phil]

Awesome, Jeff!! Just AWESOME!!!

Love the attention to the body panel gaps.

Happy New Year to you too!

Phil

 

[ASPIRATIONS]

That car looks MEAN!!!! BEAUTIFUL job!!!!!

 

[HI-NOS-Viper]

Now its starting to look like a Viper again, excellent work man.

 

[ROCKET62]

Jeff, Looks GREAT! Did you spray the ARMORCOAT clear on the front facia and if so any feedback? I realize the true test will be once it hits the road, and just wondering your initial thoughts.

 

[Jerz Viper]

Jeff, you are truly a talented guy!

Rick, you better head to Jersey with that bad boy! I want a closer look!

 

[steve911]

The word awesome doesn't even begin to the car Justice. I especially like the front splitter.

WOW.

 

[SnakeBitten]

This is what the Gen 1V should have looked like.....Spectacular job Jeff.....cant wait for the finished product...

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Jeff, Looks GREAT! Did you spray the ARMORCOAT clear on the front facia and if so any feedback? I realize the true test will be once it hits the road, and just wondering your initial thoughts.

Yes, I did ARMORCOAT the front end. Getting it to lay like glass was challenging for me because it is the first time I've sprayed it so it had more orange peel compared to the rest of the finish. Overall, it is WAY better than any sort of tape as far a looks, but I really wanted it to look as good as the other panels. The armorcoat tech explained that with practice, it will lay very smooth.

The tech was very helpful, and explained the product can also be used as a "in between" layer (between base coat and clear). The protection factor is not quite as good, but someone can take advantage of the outer clearcoat for sanding/polishing so that's what you see here. It matches up very well now with virtually zero orange peel, but only Rick will be able to let us know it's durability.

Jeff



I suppose I could throw some small rocks at it to find out. (not happening)