Topic: Lets talk Single Stage Paint

[79mustangcobra]

I am going to have my Cobra repainted, however, I am going to use a single stage paint.  in 1979 they did not have clear.

I was looking at this 1970 Boss 302 today on Hemmings Online and they have had it painted with a two-stage, a clear.

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/ford/mustang/1367723.html&refer=news

My question is, how many restored cars that show, go this route, the clear coat?  Just curious and how does it affect judging.

Thanks

[CharlesTurner]

I'm guessing a very high percentage are painted bc/cc, but in concours judging, it is generally accepted as correct (which I don't really agree with.) 

I would highly recommend using a paint system like was originally applied on the car when new.

[rodster]

IMHO, today's bc/cc paint jobs are sooo nice it's hard for most people finish up a restoration with a 60's or 70's quality paint job. I have a 84 SVO with original paint and it would get picked apart if I restored the car to original and duplicated the paint. 

Of course for that ultimate purist restoration like Charles does,  a correct factory finish would be fitting.

[CharlesTurner]

I have a 84 SVO with original paint and it would get picked apart if I restored the car to original and duplicated the paint. 

With knowledgeable judges, I would hope that wouldn't happen!

[rodster]

It might happen seeing how bad the paint job was.  Not sure all the judges would believe it. 

Luckily I found  'paint inspection' documentation in the car so that would help.

On second thought, maybe I'll just keep it original and remove all doubt. 

[cobrajetchris]

There is nothing wrong with using a single stage paint especially if the color is solid as opposed to a metallic color. The durability of modern single stage paint is very good. The problem with the metallic colors is if buffing is required due to dirt, runs, etc.. it tends to cloud the metallic and move them around causing a blotchy look. The original cars did have dirt in the paint and a paint sag occasionally or excessive orange peel in some spots. Look at a original car of that era and you can see all of these issues, however today most cars have exceptional finishes with minimal problems and that has become the standard today and it pours over into the antique car standards as well. I know on the 60's mustangs the bottoms of the rockers seen very little paint, bare metal showing in parts of the undercarriage and engine compartments but most people don't duplicate these items because they just don't look nice. I like to say when my restored car was built everyone at the plant had a really good day and felt good abut their job and took that extra step .  CHRIS

[rodster]

I like to say when my restored car was built everyone at the plant had a really good day and felt good abut their job and took that extra step .  CHRIS

It had to happen once in awhile so why not on your car!   

[TLea]

With knowledgeable judges, I would hope that wouldn't happen!

When I showed my vert last summer most knowledgable judges said is was one of the most historically accurate paint jobs they've ever seen. They also said they could never bring them selves to painting their own car that way 

[drummingrocks]

When I showed my vert last summer most knowledgable judges said is was one of the most historically accurate paint jobs they've ever seen. They also said they could never bring them selves to painting their own car that way 

I'd love to see pictures, would you happen to have any handy?  I have no idea what a "historically accurate" paint job looks like; most cars I run across now are simply painted BC/CC, with no thought to correctness or originality.

[KDunne]

I'd love to see pictures, would you happen to have any handy?  I have no idea what a "historically accurate" paint job looks like; most cars I run across now are simply painted BC/CC, with no thought to correctness or originality.

I had the opportunity to see Tim's car.  I'm not sure that pictures will do it justice.  Amazing paint work.

[CharlesTurner]

Guess it ought to be mentioned that painting single-stage metallic is not the kiss of death when it comes to quality and appearance of the application.  While it would be historically accurate in some cases for there to be slight color mis-matches and metallic mottling, a nice clean paint job with matching panels is certainly possible with single-stage and could easily rival the appearance of a similar bc/cc job.

[TLea]

Guess it ought to be mentioned that painting single-stage metallic is not the kiss of death when it comes to quality and appearance of the application.  While it would be historically accurate in some cases for there to be slight color mis-matches and metallic mottling, a nice clean paint job with matching panels is certainly possible with single-stage and could easily rival the appearance of a similar bc/cc job.

Absolutely true. The white 500 I did about 3 years ago in ss looked amazing and was straight out of the gun, no wet sanding or buffing. My 68 metallic car was a different story. We deliberately painted the fiberglass at a different time/conditions and slight mis match did occur. Most walking by would shake their head and say lousy paint job. First pick is white 500, second is metallic 350. Like Kevin said not sure if camera will do justice

[dan green]

What type and brand of paint did you use on the GT350?  Acrylic enamel?

[TLea]

PPG Concept urethane. Not cheap

[Doug Manley]

Both of your cars look great. I'm a big fan of PPG paints. People don't realize how much more difficult it is to do a paint job and keep orange peel. Anyone can paint a car and sand out imperfections but you have to be careful if you want orange peel to be even. I'm restoring a white 68 1/2 CJ with single stage DCC  PPG brand paint.Most of my friends think its nuts leaving orange peel.Oh well. To each his own. I think myself that on non metallic colors I'd stay with single stage paint.  Doug