How do I create this appearance (C2 & C3 Corvette undercarriage)

[Monty]

Pics aren't easy to find, but I've got a few of the bottom side of the '63-'82 interiors. From what I've been able to determine, they're made out of some kind of reinforced fiberglass, and the survivor series & Bloomington Gold experts from the Corvette forum I belong to (corvetteforum.com) all say they left the factory unpainted. Here are a few of the best examples I could find from a correctly restored '67:

http://firsttraderegistry.com/forsale/9_06/67corvette6/1967%20corvette%20427%20044.jpg*

http://firsttraderegistry.com/forsale/9_06/67corvette6/1967%20corvette%20427%20040.jpg*

Here's a pic of a red 1980 (maybe mine?) on the assembly line. As you can see, the fiberglass flooring etc is not painted. http://corvettec3.ca/linepics/data/images/20.jpg

I'm not just talking about finding an appropriate shade of paint, although I wouldn't mind recommendations. It's equally important to capture that raw fiberglass look as well.

Suggestions?

* Tip of the hat to Custom Mike for the link to the pics.

[Psychographic]

I would try putting a light grey base down, let it dry completely. Then spray a dark grey over that, and use a pin to scratch away the dark grey to represent the fibers showing.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Psychographic

[Ace-Garageguy]

I would try putting a light grey base down, let it dry completely. Then spray a dark grey over that, and use a pin to scratch away the dark grey to represent the fibers showing.

Excellent suggestion...I'll try it meself. However I'd also recommend a coat of flat clear over all of it to level the surface, as the white streaks are individual fibers showing through the surface of random-fiber SMC (sheet molding compound) parts produced in matched molds, and they are even with the surface.

[gluebomb]

I use Model Master German Grey that works pretty well.

[Monty]

I use Model Master German Grey that works pretty well.

Sounds interesting. Any chance you have an example you could show us?

[crowe-t]

Has anyone tried making the undercarriage of a Corvette look like unpainted fiberglass using the technique described above?

[jamesG]

Just a thought here. 

Use light and dark greys as suggested but instead of scratching with a pin try touching a piece of flocked paper to the still wet top color. You could also try spraying a thin coat of dark gray on some paper or something touch flocked paper to wet paint then to model.