I am in the process of restoring my 63 SWC, and have begun body work. The restorer recommends base/clear paint. What advice does the membership have on how to maximize points using base clear? Purposeful orange peel? Dull door jambs (?hairspray) I've heard a lot of opinions.
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
Go to the top of the page and click on CONTACTS. Scroll down till you get to Body and Paint. The name there is Tom Ames. He is the only guy I would ask.
Also, study the new paint chart that went into affect after the 2016 National. That will help get your head around what your are attempting to do.
Hairspray is a no no.
You keeping it red or going back to silver? If you are staying with red you will lose 100% of your color points.
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
A book could be written on this topic. You need to go to some NCRS meets and talk with the exterior judges. I enjoy judging exterior, and enjoy more when owners pick my brain before a meet on the paint. Paint coverage, DOI, peel, etc there are many things.....ARA.Comment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
I agree....and look hard at some original paint jobs as well...its educational.
My SWC in Riverside Red was done with Dupont Concept single stage but still far too shiny. There was a nice, original-looking bit of orange peel in the 'right' places along the bottom of the car that played well with judging however door jambs and hood ledge were way too shiny.
I used a spray product that permanently dulled those areas down and where I did that was fine (I forget one area and took a regional judging 'hit' for that). You have to decide whether you want to 'knock down' that shiny paint permanently in the prescribed areas or attempt something temporary. I wasn't comfortable with hair spray or the spray photographers use to temporarily take the sheen off reflective objects for hi-def pictures....so I 'committed' and did permanent dulling -- just not enough...Comment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
Frederick, Has your restorer painted cars that were headed for NCRS judging before? Unless he has been to a Tom Ames paint seminar, it would be very hard for him to spray the car in a way that would replicate a factory applied finish. He can use any paint formula he wishes, Lacquer, Enamel, Waterborne, Single stage Urethane or Base clear Urethane. It is all in the way the paint is applied, not the type of paint used.
I'm not trying to drop a bomb here and start a big Discussion board argument, but there were no "Dull" areas on Corvettes when they left the factory. This theory has been adjusted or corrected in the last few Paint judging seminars presented at Regionals, Nationals and the Judges training retreat early last year. It is all about textures, peels, surface finish, what ever description you want to use for un-buffed and buffed areas.Comment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
+1, that and Tom Ames or John Ballard are the ones to ask. But ARA, you are a brave man to do exterior judging, when it comes to being offered exterior judging, I will always default to chassis and refuse........
I don't like arguments......
Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
Mike, I have been assigned Exterior judge quite frequently lately and have been paired with a great fellow Judge, Mitch. I thoroughly enjoy judging with him. Exterior is a tough one for sure, but when you give a sound explanation with observable examples and comparisons and some historical perspective relating to how the cars were made in the 60's, you'd be surprised how many owners "get it" and no disagreements arise. A simple "that's not TFP" will usually result is some expletives, and this will not help the owner understand the reasoning and basis for the call (if any). The decision to conform one's car closer to what appears TFP is solely with the owner. Happy New Year! ARA
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
I emailed Tom Ames and got a nice and relatively detailed response. My summary:
1. Sebring Silver paint must have the correct size metallic, and only DuPont (now Axalta) currently carries the correct size metallic.
2. Orange peel should exist, defined as distinctness of image (DOI). Should be moderate DOI. It should be more pronounced below the side character lines where original buffing was minimal.
3. Paint coverage should be lighter on the items painted on the floor of the car when on the assembly line. These items were not primed or finish sanded, and got only one coat of sealer and one coat of paint. This includes the cowl vent grilles and headlamp doors. Same is true for door jambs, hood ledge, and under lip of hood.
4. Recommends matting compound to lower the gloss level of door jambs, etc. It should not be dull but appear as an un-buffed lacquer finish. A degree of gloss but not as bright as the outside surfaces.Comment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
What's "matting compound."Comment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
This: http://www.autogeek.net/scholl-concepts-s0.html
I use it often on old paint to get it smooth.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
Presumably a paint additive to create a "matte" finish. Maybe others have more specific information.Comment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
Not sure I used the term....maybe somebody else ? If you mean the photographer's dulling spray - I bought a can but never tried it (picture below). Its temporary and could embarrassingly rub off (or it may just work)..
Anybody with a modern paint job should have no surprises when it comes to judging...you are gonna get 'hit'; arguing with a judge/team leader about it is just being a dillweed IMO. My car got a full deduct last year; Carlton and I walked around the car and had a discussion (NOT an argument; I was trying to learn) about the door jambs, etc..
He pointed out where I had missed dulling down an area along the hood and agreed to restore some points -- which was reasonable... I talked to an NCRS judge and painter with 40 years experience and he had me use this lacquer Dupli-Color product on the door jambs....(flame on if you want to)....it's counter-intuitive as its says "gloss" but the looks was real close to a '67 in original lacquer in his shop. Soft-taping the jambs/hood ledge areas and 'misting' this stuff on did the trick. YMMVComment
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Re: How to maximize points using base/clear paint?
My 70 has not been judged but I have been experimenting with Krylon matte lacquer. If held away from the finish and allowed to cure it really looks good. Nice thing is a little lacquer thinner get the nice shiny finish back.
Kind Regards,
BillComment
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