Original paint

[Thomas H.]

I realize this is a somewhat subjective question, but does this look like original paint?

Tom

[John D.]

Re: Original paint

Looks like it may be enamel to me.....but I'm no expert...

[Tracy C.]

Re: Original paint

Kinda sorta does to me. Look along the edges of trim, windows, etc for evidence of paint line left by the edge of masking tape. Overspray in no factory location is another give away.

tc

[Thomas H.]

Re: Original paint

Original owner car (passed away) and I could not see any obvious evidence of a repaint, masking or such.

Tom

[Steven B.]

Re: Original paint

Tom, usually if anything is left on during a repaint it is the windshield frame. Remove any remaining caulking and determine if the caulking has paint on it and if you see a paint line. If you don't then removing the frame is the next option. Careful removing the frame so as not to crack the glass.

Steve

[Garry B.]

Re: Original paint

While you are at it, check inside the center/seat glove box and behind the kick panels under the dash for the same color. Most hobby painters from this era did not protect from overspray in these areas when painting the exterior. This may not totally answer your original question, but if the color is different in these areas, it will provide another clue as to whether this is original paint on the exterior.
Garry 18531

[Thomas H.]

Re: Original paint

We know for fact that this car was originally black and have the documentation to back it up. I knew that painting processes back then were no where near what they are today and the finishes were not always the best. One reason that leads me to think that the "texture" shown in the fender picture may be original. I don't know...........

When I have access to the car again, I'll poke around looking for any clues of a repaint.

One other note, there is a fair amount of documentation / history on this car, the owner recoreded every gas fill up and oil change, but there is no mention of any paint or body work.

The deck lid around the emblem has cracked and peeling paint. I have a picture of that somewhere I'll post when I find it.

In this picture, when you pull away the panel around the hinges, you can make out the word "black" under the paint / overspray

Tom

[Loren L.]

Re: Original paint

Where did the beige front wheel come from?

[Kenneth H.]

Re: Original paint

Loren,

I took a close look at the picture and I think that it's rust, not beige paint on the wheel. You can see a hint of black paint closest to the wheel cover.

[Jim D.]

Re: Original paint

One reason that leads me to think that the "texture" shown in the fender picture may be original. I don't know...........



The deck lid around the emblem has cracked and peeling paint. I have a picture of that somewhere I'll post when I find it.


Tom

I've never seen original lacquer with a "texture" but all the cheap enamel repaints had it. It's called orange peel.

Never seen original lacquer peel either. That's another indication of a repaint, as in poor preparation.

[Rich P.]

Re: Original paint

Tom,

I would not give a definite answer just from pictures but I can give some pointers to look for.
1. Look for fiberglass texture showing through the painted surface.
2. look for original bond seam shrinkage
3. Check the door jambs and see if the paint is consistant ( same color black and not a brown shade on the body not all black paints are black!!)
4. A stong hint at enamel is to look for dirt in the paint. If it is enamel the paint around the speck of dirt will be raised, sort of like a volcano effect. Enamel does this because it is thicker and takes longer to dry than lacquer.
5. To me in the picture the peel looks consistent with orignal paint cars I have worked on and seen. It is a fine texture and flat. Enamel peel tends to be thicker.
6. Look for paint build up on the edges of the panels enamel is thicker and tends to leave a ring or thin line on the edges.


What throws alot of people off is the fact that these cars have been waxed and hand polished hundreds if not thousands of times and that flattens original paint out. True assembly line paint cars have a great deal of peel. You just have to be able to determine if it is lacquer peel you are looking at.

Finally I have never seen a factory black paint job that did not have some sort of checking or small crezing here and there. If there is some look for the original primer busting through.

Hope this helps, Rich

[Thomas H.]

Re: Original paint

Tom,

I would not give a definite answer just from pictures but I can give some pointers to look for.
1. Look for fiberglass texture showing through the painted surface.
2. look for original bond seam shrinkage
3. Check the door jambs and see if the paint is consistant ( same color black and not a brown shade on the body not all black paints are black!!)
4. A stong hint at enamel is to look for dirt in the paint. If it is enamel the paint around the speck of dirt will be raised, sort of like a volcano effect. Enamel does this because it is thicker and takes longer to dry than lacquer.
5. To me in the picture the peel looks consistent with orignal paint cars I have worked on and seen. It is a fine texture and flat. Enamel peel tends to be thicker.
6. Look for paint build up on the edges of the panels enamel is thicker and tends to leave a ring or thin line on the edges.


What throws alot of people off is the fact that these cars have been waxed and hand polished hundreds if not thousands of times and that flattens original paint out. True assembly line paint cars have a great deal of peel. You just have to be able to determine if it is lacquer peel you are looking at.

Finally I have never seen a factory black paint job that did not have some sort of checking or small crezing here and there. If there is some look for the original primer busting through.

Hope this helps, Rich

Rich,

Thanks for the pointers.

What color was the primer? I have a bunch of pictures at home that I will review tonight.

Tom

[Rich P.]

Re: Original paint

Rich,

Thanks for the pointers.

What color was the primer? I have a bunch of pictures at home that I will review tonight.

Tom

Typicaly a red primer with a grey sealer. Don't remember if the Solid Axel cars had the grey sealer.

Rich

[Thomas H.]

Re: Original paint

Some more pictures. I took these a while back for general condition, but I think they show some paint edge details.

Tom




Look in the upper corner near the hood hinge

[Wayne W.]

Re: Original paint

Typicaly a red primer with a grey sealer. Don't remember if the Solid Axel cars had the grey sealer.

Rich

Red primer use was phased in early in 63. Generally Solid axle cars of this vintage would have had dark gray (black) primer.

The paint looks good, but it is difficult to tell from here. The only thing that stands out to me is the painted stainless plate in the cove. I think they should be stainless and not painted. I could be wrong on that.