Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

[Doug J.]

I know there are quite a few threads non this topic, but I am just trying to get them all together. I am looking for info. in regard to the "duller areas", I have read about the obvious..door jamb area and hood drip rails. Would the areas under the rear bumper(valance), area under the front grills, and the side fender grills all be areas for that "duller" finish....the areas that were not rubbed out? Lacquer paint of the day had a gloss to it, even before it was rubbed, it just did not have the reflective finish of the final rubbed area. I have tried a few different things on various parts and spraying clear on them seems to resemble the proper look.....shinny, just not a reflective finish. I would just like to know if I'm on the right track here.

[Joel F.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Doug,

You covered most of the right areas in terms of reducing the gloss level. That said, this is a tough subject because it is so subjective. Many restorers will go with an eggshell level of gloss, but as you noted I think this is too flat. But the car will be judged based on the opinion of a given judge on a given day. If you are looking to have the car judged at the regional or national level, I'd have a frank conversation with your car's national team lead to see what exactly they like to see as far as gloss goes.

[Jack H.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Basically, judges consider surface areas of the car that would be 'hidden' (door jambs as doors were closed during buff, hood edges for the same reason) and areas below the 'belt line' as non-cosmetic surfaces that little and/or no buff...

[Dick W.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

We have used "eggshell" (as defined by PPG using their DX685) and have had good results in judging.

[Doug J.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

The car has already been painted a few years ago with BC/CC. I am trying to dull down what is already there. What would the best result be, and closest to the "eggshell" finish from a "rattle can" as opposed to mixing and shooting with a spray gun.....satin clear or clear? I have tried both on test panels and satin clear seems to be too "dull" almost like spraying with just a base coat.....the straight clear, with not too heavy of a coat, seems to look better, it's on the dull side, with a slight gloss (if that makes sense) but does not have a reflective finish.

[Dick W.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

The car has already been painted a few years ago with BC/CC. I am trying to dull down what is already there. What would the best result be, and closest to the "eggshell" finish from a "rattle can" as opposed to mixing and shooting with a spray gun.....satin clear or clear? I have tried both on test panels and satin clear seems to be too "dull" almost like spraying with just a base coat.....the straight clear, with not too heavy of a coat, seems to look better, it's on the dull side, with a slight gloss (if that makes sense) but does not have a reflective finish.

We have gone back and dulled finishes by using red compound (the heavy duty variety) and just wiping it off. I requires a bit of elbow grease, but does not peel like anything you spray over the top of paint. Modern paints do not depend on a rough finish to bond, they chemically adhere, and after your BB/CC dries, there will not be much adherence

[Bill L.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

HI Dick,

I have been reviewing these threads with great interest. I have a 70 that was painted with BC/CC too.

I like the idea of the red compound since it wi=would take nothing more that a machine applied swirl remover to bring the gloss back.

Just curious Dick. Would the Meguiars medium cut be about right?

Now I am going to have to go practice on a part painted for just such experimentation

Thanks, Bill

[Dick W.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Bill, we always used DuPont red. Don't have any experience with Meguires. But I doubt that a medium cut would get it done without a lot of elbow grease and blood, sweat, and tears.

[Bill L.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Dick,

Can the Dupont be done without leaving swirl marks?

Thanks again.


Bill

[Dick W.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Dick,

Can the Dupont be done without leaving swirl marks?

Thanks again.


Bill

I am only talking about the hood ledge, door jambs, etc not the exterior of the car. If you start on the body, assuming that the paint has had time to properly harden, you are probably gonna be doing the 1500 grit sand paper, not for the faint hearted. You are not going to be able to replicate lacquer perfectly, especially if you did not take the proper steps when you painted it. The best you can hope for is to do the hood ledge, door jamb, etc and the built up areas around corners of openings. I do not advise doing anything to the body unless you have a lot of experience color sanding and buffing. You can cause more problems than you can cure. We were fortunate to have one of the best in the country working for us. He had more patience than any two people should have.

[Bill L.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Sorry I wasn't clear Dick. No pun intended on the"clear".

I mean on the jambs etc... I rubbed a small area on the large painted piece I have and it looked sort of smeared as opposed to unbuffed lacquer.


Thanks, Bill

[Dick W.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Sorry I wasn't clear Dick. No pun intended on the"clear".

I mean on the jambs etc... I rubbed a small area on the large painted piece I have and it looked sort of smeared as opposed to unbuffed lacquer.


Thanks, Bill

Go over it lightly with polish

[Doug J.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Still no thoughts or opinions on satin clear or clear? There has to be someone out there who has seen one or both methods used when the car has already been painted with BC/CC. I know that you can never get the original look back, but you can probably do a good job of replicating it.

[Kurt G.]

Re: Toning down BC/CC in certain areas

Doug,

Sorry for being so late on a reply. Been flying around the world for the last 6 days and away from a computer. I have an untouched '72 that I had judged at the Des Moine regional last year. John Ballard also did a paint seminar at the meet. As for his comments on original lacquer paint, the original paint did have gloss to it, and the paint was polished on the assembly line. But, only the top of the car was polished. On my car, as is correct according to John, the sides of the car have gloss, but not "diamond in the south end of a north bound mule" gloss. You should be able to see an almost mirror like reflection in the top surfaces. As for the sides, slightly less gloss, kinda a fuzzy reflection of your shoes, but still able to see some detail in the shoes. As for the rocker pan in the front and rear, they have about the same gloss as the door jams.

Hope this helps.