White Rain Hairspray

[Dick W.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

My car has been clear-coated by a former owner, which was a business, not an individual. They knew that a shiny paint job would get the bids up at the 2008 Mecum Spring Classic. It did the trick...it got the car sold to Terry Michaelis of ProTeam Corvette Sales. And, the shiny paint got my attention enough to buy it from ProTeam over three years ago.

But, let's go back in time...my car had been restored in the late 80s by a former owner in Connecticut, Kurt S., who lavished the car with attention. He restored the black interior back to its original red vinyl interior (red is correct for the trim tag). He spent hours adjusting each door and each headlight bucket. He spent untold hours preparing the car for the lacquer paint that he applied in his paint and body shop. He bought the car for $15K and sold it, after earning a chapter and regional Top Flight for the car, for $45k.

That seller at Mecum (ProTeam was the buyer) had no interest in keeping this car an NCRS Top Flight car. They were the 3rd of four businesses that owned the car between Kurt S. and me. This company applied a clear coat over the carefully-applied acrylic lacquer paint. It is this clear coat in the areas such as door jambs that have helped earn my car many "Best in Show" trophies and a big silver cup at the 2012 Keels & Wheels Concours d'Elegance. But, it is this clear coat that costs me 85 points at NCRS meets.

I do not wish to destroy the car's show/concours winning abilities by taking fine steel wool to the door jambs (and etc.) to "dull them down". I am looking for a way to temporarily dull-down those areas that are so obviously incorrect to NCRS Exterior Judging Team judges. I am hoping that someone has a solution.

If there is no "trick" to solving this dilemma, then at least I tried, to no avail.
-Clark

Clark, it will take patience and time, but you can use white buffing compound, applied by hand, and lightly rub the affected areas. Just wipe the compound off after the light rubbing. Look at it and see if it has dulled the surface to your, quit. If not, rub a little more.

[Tom A.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

There is no spray it on today wipe it off tomorrow quick fix. I guess you will have to chose your venue and live with it. You can't make it suit every one or every type show. Life is full of choices. Pick one.

[Clark K.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

There are some very creative people in NCRS. Thankfully, they are willing to share their trade secrets. I have received some private messages concerning the issue at hand. I will take their advice and see how it works out.

One thing that concerns me is that NCRS judges will see this thread and may now be "gunning for my car". Any thoughts about this possibility?
-Clark

[Michael J.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

There are some very creative people in NCRS. Thankfully, they are willing to share their trade secrets. I have received some private messages concerning the issue at hand. I will take their advice and see how it works out.

One thing that concerns me is that NCRS judges will see this thread and may now be "gunning for my car". Any thoughts about this possibility?
-Clark

Yes, there are many "techniques" to lessen the dreaded "over-restored" scarlet letter for your car. Most will not publicly comment, as can be understood about this forum. I would hope the judges would not take notes from comments on the forum, but as I said people will not publicly talk here about such things, like swapping rare parts with your friends on the cars during judging, a no-no. I am no longer in the NCRS judging game so I don't fear or care anymore, but I do admire a win at Keels and Wheels, or the equally prestigious Classy Chassis in Houston just recently. I wish I could have taken one of my cars to that but was tied up. These Concorso type events are much fun, I take my cars to several around. They are very tough competition and a win is very prestigious, as are the trophies. I have even seen some Triple Crown winners, but of course they all had new, very glossy and deep paint jobs that were definitely over-restored. But at the end of the day it is your choice which way to go, good luck.

[James W.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

[Brad H.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

Gentleman, Painters of all types will occasionally use a clear matte finish to dull down a too glossy look on anything they have finished or are working with, maybe good to check this out or buy a can of rattle and try it out.

[Michael J.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

Gentleman, Painters of all types will occasionally use a clear matte finish to dull down a too glossy look on anything they have finished or are working with, maybe good to check this out or buy a can of rattle and try it out.

True, but very difficult to remove same when you want a glossy look, like in all instances except NCRS judging rigamarole.

[Terry M.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

True, but very difficult to remove same when you want a glossy look, like in all instances except NCRS judging rigamarole.

Which means you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Or put another way: Decide which horse to ride before the race starts.

[Michael J.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

Which means you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Or put another way: Decide which horse to ride before the race starts.

Agreed, but that is why it is good to try and find a non-permanent, don't-burn-all-your-bridges solution.

[Terry M.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

Agreed, but that is why it is good to try and find a non-permanent, don't-burn-all-your-bridges solution.

The permanent solution is to make up your mind what arena you want to play in and then stick with that.

[Michael J.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

The permanent solution is to make up your mind what arena you want to play in and then stick with that.

Yes, of course, no hope for anything else.....

[Clark K.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

There is no spray it on today wipe it off tomorrow quick fix. I guess you will have to chose your venue and live with it. You can't make it suit every one or every type show. Life is full of choices. Pick one.

I picked one. BTW, there ARE some quick fixes. You just don't know them.

[Clark K.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

Thanks to all who responded with helpful suggestions rather than criticism. As shown in the attached photo, I have prepped the hood area of my car in readiness to dull the hood drip rails, the body-colored areas on the underhood, and the vent grills. After dulling these areas, I will remove the masking and move to the door jambs and finally to the front and rear valance areas. This is a load of work!

I only have a week and a half before I load the car on the trailer and head for the NCRS National. See you there and wish me luck in not losing all 85 exterior paint points.
-Clark

[Michael J.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

I picked one. BTW, there ARE some quick fixes. You just don't know them.

Yes, there are and good for members to share them. Good luck.

[Tom A.]

Re: White Rain Hairspray

I doubt there are many "quick fixes' I haven't seen over the years I've been judging. On the up side if the exterior is within reason what it should be, no one even looks at the jambs. The problem is when someone has done a "quick fix" then wants to argue with the judge over why they think it should pass. If it appears like original then there is no issue. If you try and it doesn't fly please don't waste the judges time arguing, they have a lot to get done in a limited time frame.