C3 Corvette FIREWALL DETAILING
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- The firewall of my 1981 Corvette looked horrible, and there was no way I was going to ignore it and leave it in such horrible condition.
Cleaning and detailing a firewall with the engine in the car makes the task very challenging. Add to that poor workmanship by the manufacturer and the problem gets compounded severely.
Between the firewall, cowl, and firewall lip, I've been working on this project for at least two weeks, and it is a very slow process.
The results, on the other hand, can be extremely satisfying if you tackle the project, and using a product such as the bedliner spray I like to use helps conceal some of the lighter or smaller imperfections. The larger ones will require bodywork with all the associated labor.
And while my Corvette's firewall looks incredible, it is not "show quality" since that was not my intention. But don't get me wrong. Once all the stuff is reinstalled and the project is done, I will have no qualms about opening the hood at cruise-ins or car shows. Just know that the more time you invest in prepping the area, the better it will look.
Maybe at some point in the future, if I decide to get another C3 project car, I will yank the engine, wiring harnesses, and other components, and really sculpt the firewall into a work of art. But that is not the case for my '81.
Anyway, I hope the video will give you a glimpse of what you can accomplish with some basic tools, affordable off-the-shelf paint, and LOTS of patience, while also maybe be help fan the inspiration in you to devote a couple of weekends so you can turn your Vette's firewall into something you will be proud to display at the next local car show.
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
The repairs and other work I do are for my own benefit and entertainment, and even though my videos may appear to give technical how-to advice, that's not my intention.
Working on a vehicle is inherently dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a licensed mechanic.
"I am not THAT crazy or OCD" 😂
I love your work. I love your channel.
Learning a lot from this. I hope 1 day my Vette is as beautifully restored as yours.
Thank you.
Very kind. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
You need to hold a live show for some of us who have questions like, where your getting your parts and such. It seems to be harder and harder to get parts for my 82.
Looks great, can’t wait to see the finished product. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Dan! 😊👍🏻
That was an OUTSTANDING tutorial, and an excellent result. I must do the same to my 78 Silver Anniversary Edition.
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Excellent job!
Thank you! 😊👍🏻
Looks great you’re an inspiration Luis. I’m in the middle of the same project on my 74 right now just rewatching this again for some tips
Thank you, Dave! That’s a very kind comment and I appreciate it. 😊👍🏻
Ron son ol lighter fluid is really good for removing sticky stuff as well - I found it was actually better than Goof Off.
The other amazing product for a penetrating oil is “Mouse Milk” which you can get off am a zon - it has saved my butt a few times when the other popular ones wouldn’t touch what I was working on.
I work on Flight Sims for the Army and do other electronics and Amateur Radio- Deoxit contact cleaner is another must have.
Good tips! I keep a bottle of lighter fluid handy to remove stickers from things such as plastic containers, and yes, it works great and does not damage the plastic.
I’ll have to try the other products you mentioned.
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Nice job, one that i need to do on my 81 after seeing your results.
Thank you! 😊👍🏻
Looks great!
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Well done!! Never thought of using the bed liner spray for those areas 🙂
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
I love your attention to details. Greats vids!
Thank you for the kind words and for watching! 😊👍🏻
Great job as always I did my 80 just like yours. Came out looking much better.
Awesome! Thank you! 😊👍🏻
Awesome detail work! Looking great! I'm going to have to do some of this to my 69 roadster, it's had a complete front clip put on it and some of the panel bond squirted out around the fenders and firewall area, it actually looks factory but I'd like to make it look a little cleaner also!👍
Yeah, I think these cars deserve a little bit of special attention, especially if you’re taking it to a show or cruise in and want to open the hood. 😊👍🏻
The result is stunning and incredibly how you do this with all the wiring still in place. I do wonder, did you also spray paint the lower part of the firewall? I guess you need to be underneath the car for that...
I mostly did the upper portion. 😊👍🏻
Great job as always. I really like your videos. You show how just by cleaning up and painting an area improves the overall looks of a vehicle. Even if it's your daily driver, you can make it look like a show car with a little bit of time and labor. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! 😊👍🏻
Great job 👍 looks fantastic thank you for the helpful hints
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
I'm sure the little red corvette is getting really jealous with your spending all of your time with the 81 Vette. I hope the 76 doesn't give you a grudge breakdown in the future ; )
lol 😆
GREAT JOB ! LOOKS 1,000 % BETTER ! JESSE VIA LAS VEGAS
Thank you! 😊👍🏻
Awesome Work! Inspiration to do mines now ...
Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Lovely work! I have to do the same thing and using the bed liner is a good idea. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your nice work.
It’s a ton of work, but it’s worth the effort IMO. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻
Looks great luis....actually it looks awesome
Thank you, Jason! 😊👍🏻
This really helped me!!!
Do you do work on other C3s. I just found out you are located not far from where I reside👍🏽
No, I only work on my cars. Sorry.
Can you show how you made the latches look so perfect
I have a latch resto video scheduled for mid June. 😊👍🏻
Nice, your time and effort really pays off. I need to do my wiper bay, was wondering what you think the level of difficulty it is to remove all of the wiper mechanisms? Thanks for the helpful content, keep them coming!
The windshield wiper transmission, as Chevy calls it, is not that difficult to remove, BUT, years of use, sealants, and dirt can make it challenging to clean. I am going to stick some of the pieces in parts cleaner and let them soak for a day or longer to get rid of all the crud.
Take plenty of pics so you have a reference to put it back together. 😊👍🏻
Is the 81, the next 76 😂
I hope not. I’ve spent so much money on my ‘76 it’s not even funny. Lol 😆