Restoration or Revolution? The Classy Car-Paint Argument
by Phillip Herrera
A classic car needs a classic coat of paint, or so many purists would say. For some, it's all about nostalgia as the vibrant colors of an artisan-designed Shelby 427 Cobra's Guardsman Blue pulls out of the garage. For others, there's nothing wrong with trying something new, especially with new shades and changing favorite tastes entering the paint shop. If you're trying to figure out what to do with any kind of high-visibility car's color scheme, here are a few things to consider.
Is Your Color Still Available?
Not all car color schemes are easily reproduced. Young designers at the height of their craft—or contractors who weren't deeply in love with cars and were just good at their job—may not have kept around certain shades. Especially when it comes to the major car models available to the general public, your rare color may have been a limited run made on a whim when a factory or shop had enough money to spend on some creative paint mixing.
Most cars aren't in such rare situations, but discontinued colors happen. There are specialists who can reproduce colors, but you need to be willing to provide a matching picture of your desired color that isn't too washed out or able to remember the old color. Not old enough to remember the true color beyond technicolor commercials and prints? Time to find some one from the good old days and make sure they're telling the truth!
Are You Prepared for Paint Jail?
A paint job is not always a quick spray-over; even a detailed waltz across the hood and doors may take weeks. If you're not the original owner, there could be a few different paint jobs that need a grinder and careful treatment before the paint job begins.
These previous paint jobs could have been done professionally with even layers, or they could be filled with dirt and debris that could damage the surface if not handled properly. A careful technician uses specific removal techniques (often called sandblasting but sometimes done with more delicate materials such as pecan or walnut shells). This could take weeks or even months, depending on how involved the process is.
In the process of removing paint, some exterior components may need to be removed for a targeted approach. If the component is damaged and likely to lead to a bad paint job, you'll need to either wait for a technique to be put in place to cover or at least cleanly ignore the imperfection or order a replacement.
Contact an auto-paint services professional to discuss restoration jobs, new paint, and other color changes to your vivid vehicle.
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About Me
When I decided to restore my old car, one of the things that I was excited about was repainting the car. I spent a lot of time researching how to do the paint job properly because I wanted to be sure that it looked professional. I learned a lot about tips and tricks to create a quality finish, and when the car was done, I knew I had to teach others what I learned. This blog is my chance to share my tips and help others to feel better prepared to paint their own restoration projects. I hope the information here helps you to do just that.