Paint specs question for a '64

[Jeff H.]

Hello,
I'm getting ready to repaint my '64 convertible (923AA Riverside red). The car is going through a complete, detailed frame-off restoration, and the chassis is done. Before I strip the body, I need to make a big decision that I need your help with. As you may know, original type lacquer paint is no longer legally available. If my painter uses a "modern" paint as he is recommending, it appears from the latest judging manual I'll receive a full deduct for originality (40 points). That's a big hit! If I try to simply touch up the current paint job, I doubt if I will be satisfied with the results, plus I will get a big deduct on condition. The paint on the car currently has already been touched up, and I have received up to 20 points deduction for paint condition in past judging.

What do you recommend? Should I go for a complete strip and a new paint job (acrylic enamel w/ clear coat) as recommended by my prof. painter, go for only the acrylic enamel base coat repaint, or touch up the original paint once again? Is, or should, NCRS be addressing this issue in its latest judging requirements? It seems as though a 40 point full deduction is perhaps out of line, considering the original lacquer type paint is no longer legally sold or available.
Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. I'm obligated to move this project ahead in the next 2 weeks. I've come too far to compromise the quality of this restoration at this point! On the other hand, I want to compete in future NCRS judging events without the fear of a built-in huge deduction that can never be fixed, once I repaint. Thanks.

[Harry S.]

Re: Paint specs question for a '64

Jeff, it does not have to be lacquer. Study the wording in the JM and espically the language in the 8th Edition of the Corvette Judging Reference Manual, page 33. The word appears is very important.

This is an over the top example, but if the car was painted with a tooth brush using house paint and when completed it appears like factory applied paint, there should be no deductions. I don't need to get into what looks dull or polished as you can read about that.

[Tom A.]

Re: Paint specs question for a '64

Jeff,
If you will read the current guidelines carefully you will find no reference to paint type only appearance. If truth be told at any given judging meet probably well over half of the cars there are not refinished with a lacquer product and a large percentage with no deduct for paint. If you will do a quick search on this board you will find lots of discussion on how to use other material to create an original appearance, it's really not that difficult.

[Edward J.]

Re: Paint specs question for a '64

Jeff, I just finished painting my 63 Riverside Red, I have not had judged yet,But painted with Dupont acrylic urethane with the advice form one of my local chapter members who restores NCRS Quality corvettes.This is a single stage paint with the appearance of lacquer when applied. I found the color to very close, I used a formula from one of the board members gave me here.I think the right color mix all depends on the guy who takes the time to get the correct measurements and would also get some extra for touch down the road.

[Duke W.]

Re: Paint specs question for a '64

"As you may know, original type lacquer paint is no longer legally available."

..not a correct statement!

Certain localities have VOC standards that effectively make it illegal for commercial shops to use acrylic lacquer, so most paint suppliers in those areas have scrapped their lacquer mixing machines and no longer offer it other than maybe some "factory pack" colors like GM black, which is the '63 Tuxedo Black acrylic lacquer.

Some say that current pigments aren't an exact match for vintage acrylic lacquers, but that's a tough call unless you have a perfectly preserved original to compare to. Metallics can be tough because currently available particle sizes may not be the same as way back when.

PPG should be able to tell you where you can still buy acrylic lacquer, but you may not be able to find a shop that will shoot it if you have strict VOC standards in your part of the country.

Duke

[Dick W.]

Re: Paint specs question for a '64

"As you may know, original type lacquer paint is no longer legally available."

..not a correct statement!

Certain localities have VOC standards that effectively make it illegal for commercial shops to use acrylic lacquer, so most paint suppliers in those areas have scrapped their lacquer mixing machines and no longer offer it other than maybe some "factory pack" colors like GM black, which is the '63 Tuxedo Black acrylic lacquer.

Some say that current pigments aren't an exact match for vintage acrylic lacquers, but that's a tough call unless you have a perfectly preserved original to compare to. Metallics can be tough because currently available particle sizes may not be the same as way back when.

PPG should be able to tell you where you can still buy acrylic lacquer, but you may not be able to find a shop that will shoot it if you have strict VOC standards in your part of the country.

Duke

I have sprayed some of the modern lacquers and they are junk! Not near as hard as the original materials and will not hold up near as long as the original. There has not been any research and development work done on lacquer in probably thirty years.

Modern materials, properly applied can pretty well match appearance with the newer lacquers and you will have a paint job that will out last most of us here.