Restoring a Classic Chevy: Bodywork and Paint in Henderson

Table of Contents

1. Why Bodywork Matters in Henderson
2. Assessing Your Chevy’s Condition

• Common Rust Areas
• Dents, Dings, and Panel Misalignment

1. Our Bodywork Process

• Initial Inspection & Planning
• Rust Repair & Metal Fabrication
• Dent Removal & Panel Alignment
• Seam Sealing & Undercoating

1. Paint Systems for Nevada’s Climate

• Single-Stage vs. Basecoat/Clearcoat
• Color Match & Custom Finishes

1. Quality Paint Application Steps

• Surface Prep & Masking
• Primer, Basecoat & Clearcoat
• Curing, Wet-Sanding & Polishing

1. Protective Upgrades

• Ceramic Coatings
• Paint Protection Film (PPF)
• Vinyl Wrap Accents
• Window Tint

1. Post-Paint Inspection & Touch-Up
2. Cost & Timeline Estimates
3. Service Areas We Cover
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Ready to Restore Your Classic Chevy?

---

Why Bodywork Matters in Henderson

Henderson’s desert environment accelerates corrosion and body damage more than most regions:

• Triple-Digit Heat dries out factory sealers, allowing moisture under panels.
• Monsoon Humidity traps moisture in cavities, promoting flash rust.
• Dust & Sand abrade unprotected surfaces, scratching paint and exposing bare metal.
• Road Salt & Brake Dust from winter road treatments combine with heat to pit floors, rockers, and frames.

Investing in professional bodywork and paint not only restores your Chevy’s beauty but prevents structural deterioration—saving you costly repairs down the road.

---

Assessing Your Chevy’s Condition

Before any metal meets paint, we conduct a detailed evaluation:

Common Rust Areas

1. Rocker Panels & Sills: Low-hanging sections collect road debris and moisture.
2. Floor Pans & Trunk: Original seams can trap sand and salt.
3. Fender Lips & Door Bottoms: Corrosion often starts at edge welds.
4. Frame Rails & Suspension Mounts: Structural integrity is critical for safety.

Dents, Dings, and Panel Misalignment

• Parking Dents & Hail Damage: Shallow imperfections that hinder panel fit.
• Collision Repairs: Previous bodywork may have left uneven gaps or over-filled seams.
• Hood & Door Alignment: Gaps beyond factory tolerances indicate bent hinges or sagging panels.

A precise initial assessment ensures we address root causes rather than mask issues under fresh paint.

---

Our Bodywork Process

Initial Inspection & Planning

• 360° Digital Scan: We photograph and document every panel, capturing gap measurements.
• Client Vision Session: Define restoration goals—concours-correct, driver-quality, or custom resto-mod finish.
• Line-Item Estimate: Transparent pricing for rust repair, metal fabrication, panel alignment, and protective coatings.

Rust Repair & Metal Fabrication

1. Media Blasting: Bare-metal exposure using aluminum oxide or glass bead blasting—removes old paint, filler, and corrosion.
2. Cut-Out & Patch: Laser-cut steel panels precisely replace corroded sections (rockers, floors, quarters).
3. Frame & Subframe Repair: Box-in weakened areas, reinforce torque boxes, and correct any misalignment with a chassis rack.

All welding is done with MIG or TIG processes, matching factory weld profiles for strength and authenticity.

Dent Removal & Panel Alignment

• Pull-and-Tap: Slide hammers and stud welders extract minor dents without replacing panels.
• Panel Straightening: Hydraulic presses and precision mill-finish blocks align large panels to factory specs.
• Gap Tolerancing: Feeler gauges ensure hood, door, and trunk gaps fall within 1–2 mm of OEM values.

Seam Sealing & Undercoating

• Epoxy Seam Sealer: Blocks moisture at every joint—doors, floors, trunk seams.
• Rubberized Undercoating: Protects the underbody from road debris and salt, with corrosion inhibitors built in.

Seam sealing and undercoating are critical for Henderson’s dusty, monsoon-prone climate.

---

Paint Systems for Nevada’s Climate

Single-Stage vs. Basecoat/Clearcoat

• Single-Stage Enamel
• Pigment and clear combined; authentic look for ’50s and ’60s Chevys.
• Pros: Easier spot repair; rich, wet-look finish.
• Cons: Less UV stability; more frequent polishing.
• Basecoat/Clearcoat (BC/CC)
• Separate color coat and transparent clear.
• Pros: Superior gloss, UV resistance, and scratch protection.
• Cons: Higher labor in masking and layering; requires dust-free booth.

Color Match & Custom Finishes

• OEM Code Matching: Spectrophotometer-verified blends replicate GM factory hues (2401 El Camino Blue, 943 Torch Red, etc.).
• Custom Candy & Metallic Flakes: Multi-stage candy finishes over fine metallic base for depth and sparkle under the Strip lights.
• Matte & Satin Options: Modern trends in muted finishes—requires specialized clearcoat.

---

Quality Paint Application Steps

Surface Prep & Masking

• Degreasing & Tack-Cloth: Remove oils, fingerprints, and dust.
• Precision Masking: High-temperature tape and reusable masking shields protect glass, trim, and interior.

Primer, Basecoat & Clearcoat

1. Epoxy Primer: Zinc-rich for corrosion resistance; 2–3 coats for build.
2. Urethane High-Build Primer: Fills minor imperfections; block-sanded to 600 grit.
3. Basecoat Application: Even, overlapping passes for uniform coverage.
4. Urethane Clearcoat: 3–4 layers, UV-stable, resistant to heat-induced oxidation.

Curing, Wet-Sanding & Polishing

• Infrared Curing: Accelerates cross-linking, reducing orange peel.
• Wet-Sanding: 800→2000 grit to remove minor surface flaws.
• Polishing & Buffing: Machine-applied swirl-free compounds for mirror-like gloss.

The result: a finish that defies Henderson’s sun and sand, lasting for years with minimal maintenance.

---

Protective Upgrades

Ceramic Coatings

A chemical-bonded layer that:

• Repels water, dust, and bird droppings
• Blocks UV to prevent fade
• Lasts 2–5 years with annual maintenance

🔖 Save with our Ceramic Coating Promotion.

Paint Protection Film (PPF)

Installed on high-impact zones:

• Guards against rock chips and sand abrasion
• Self-heals minor swirl marks under heat
• Lasts 5–7 years before replacement

🔖 Learn about our PPF Promotion.

Vinyl Wrap Accents

Add protective or custom-printed vinyl panels:

• Reversible color changes
• UV-stable films protect painted surfaces
• Ideal for hoods, roofs, and lower body stripes

Explore our Vinyl Wrap Services.

Window Tint

Reduce cabin heat and protect interior trim:

• Blocks up to 99% UV
• Low-glare films maintain visibility
• Complements paint longevity by shading panels

Book at Window Tint.

---

Post-Paint Inspection & Touch-Up

• Final Panel Check: Ensure all gaps remained within tolerance after curing.
• Surface Inspection: Identify any micro-dust inclusions or runs for targeted wet-sanding.
• Client Walk-Through: Review finish under natural and shop lighting; note care instructions.

Minor touch-up kits and spot repair pens are provided to keep your Chevy flawless between professional services.

---

Cost & Timeline Estimates

Service Phase	Estimated Cost	Timeline
Rust Repair & Metalwork	\$3,000–\$8,000	1–2 weeks
Dent Removal & Alignment	\$1,000–\$3,000	3–5 days
Primer & Paint	\$7,000–\$20,000	2–3 weeks
Protective Coatings (Ceramic/PPF)	\$800–\$3,000	1–2 days
Full Bodywork & Paint Package	\$12,000–\$30,000	4–6 weeks

Financing options include 0% APR on qualifying jobs over \$1,000. Bundle with suspension or brake upgrades for package discounts.

---

Service Areas We Cover

From our Henderson shop at 3271 S Highland Dr #709, we serve:

• Green Valley, Anthem, Inspirada, Whitney Ranch
• Summerlin North & South (The Ridges, The Trails)
• Paradise & Spring Valley (The Strip, Arts District)
• North Las Vegas (Aliante, Eldorado)
• Boulder City & Lake Mead region

Enclosed transport within 45 mi is available for full-body jobs to protect your investment in transit.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you prevent rust from returning after repair?
   – We use epoxy primers, seam sealers, and rubberized undercoating to block moisture at every joint and cavity.
2. Can you match any Chevy factory color?
   – Yes—our spectrophotometer matches original GM codes or creates custom blends for unique finishes.
3. Is single-stage enamel still a viable option?
   – Absolutely—for ‘50s and early ‘60s Chevys it provides an authentic gloss and is easier to touch up.
4. How long before I can drive my Chevy after paint?
   – Clearcoat needs a 48-hour dust-free cure before wet-sanding. We recommend 7 days before road use.
5. Will vinyl wrap harm the paint beneath?
   – No—high-quality films with proper prep and edge sealing protect the paint and allow safe removal.
6. Do you offer emergency spot repairs?
   – Yes—mobile and shop-based minor dent and paint-chip services are available within 48 hrs.
7. What maintenance keeps the paint showroom-fresh?
   – Bi-monthly hand washes, quarterly quick-detailer application, and ceramic top-ups every 12–18 months.

---

Ready to Restore Your Classic Chevy?

Transform your Chevrolet into a head-turning showpiece built for Henderson’s roads and climate. Call (844) 777-1296 or book your bodywork & paint consultation today—and drive the pride of Las Vegas wherever you go!