what paint to use for a repaint

[Stan C.]

Hello friends, I have a 1969 coupe 390 hp 427 with air , with only 26 k miles. The paint is very laquer checked. I wet sanded and buffed it and it just isnt right. It was all original . After much contemplation i decided to repaint it. I am not sure if i should use a basecoat clearcoat material or if i should a single stage material or even laquer. I am not doing the jambs as they look great. I plan to have it flight judged this next year. Please let me know your thoughts on what you would do. The rest of the car is near perfect.

[Patrick H.]

Re: what paint to use for a repaint

I'd leave it alone and have it judged first as-is.

While contemplating that, take a close look at the new paint judging guidelines to see how your dollars, time and preparation might best be spent.

We just took a car with a checked original lacquer paint job through to the Duntov award, so it's possible to still make it all the way.

[Stan C.]

Re: what paint to use for a repaint

Thanks, but the car is now all apart and about half done at the body shop. I need to make a decision on the material soon. Does it cost a lot of points to use base clear? I had a 67 judged top flight a few years ago and it had base clear but it was quite an issue. Is it still a big deal?

[Don H.]

Re: what paint to use for a repaint

Stan
suggest you read the left column of page 5, the Judging Chairman's Message of the current issue of The Restorer magazine.
Your paint is worth 45 Originality points, and 40 Condition points. Note the paragraph describing the 30% deduction of Originality points for paint that does NOT appear like factory material, which would include base/clear. You can choose whatever paint system you want and still only lose about 13 points if the finish conforms to the description in that paragraph. Contact Tom Ames or your chapter judging Chairperson to get more detailed information on factory paint "attributes".
Good luck,

[Harry S.]

Re: what paint to use for a repaint

Many of us that judge exterior have been in many classes with Dave Brigham and Tom Ames on judging paint. The message from Dave and Tom is we need to call it correctly. They use many examples of all the paint material types. At the end of the day if it does not appear to be applied like the General did it then there will be a deduction up to 100% of all the points.

I don't know what color you car is but there are some black, white and red gallons up for sale on ebay and the Corvette Forum. I'm not suggesting you buy lacquer, just pointing out a potential source. Also, I agree, call Tom Ames.