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Quote:

Exactly. Too many cars from the '30s are looking like they were painted in a bass-boat factory!!! If you need a magnifier to see the "metallic", you've just about got it right.

Was a metallic or finely ground pearl used in the original paint formula?

(o{}o)

Not a topic I'm particularly well-informed about, but metallic (or polychromatic as they were called early on) auto paints on Packard date to at least 1933, perhaps a year or two earlier. I don't have any actual forumlas prior to 1935 but they call for a true metallic content; perhaps naturally occurring materials were used in the very early years but even if so, certainly by 1935 that was no longer the case.

Ah yes, the metallic flake, not to worry it is very small. If I decide to use it I would think it's spelled out in the paint formula. It is a Packard paint code.



Tom has made good progress in sanding the old paint down. That's his dad in the background looking on.



All the little blue spots are dents I;m not sure how you end up with these little dents everywhere. The good news is there isn't any rust spots or bondo hiding rust spots



It looks like he's got about 2 weeks of sanding and prep work before it goes in primer



Here you can see the different layers of paint. Beginning in the center you can see the original red primer, then the original black paint. Then you see a blue primer and the next black coat. Then another grey primer and the last black coat. This last black coat was very thin and full of orange peel. There was no way to save it.



The black circle you see is a dent and it shows the last coat of black paint since the sanding block isn't making contact with it.

I am glad I decided to repaint the car.

The seats are original and in great shape except for the rear arm rests which we will address later.



Here's the rear seat

Now we get to the part where I have a few questions. This car has front fenders from a 1940. If you notice on the pic above, well, here it is again



There aren't any marker light on the front fenders. I'm trying to figure out if all Super Eights had them in 39 or were they optional.



This car and many others I have seen show them.



This one does not, but it has a chrome strip running the length of the top of the fender.

Trying to figure out if I need to find marker lights.

A couple of other areas to sort out are as follows:



How do you like them arm rests. Betcha didn't know they had vinyl back in 39. euwwwyuk!!! I know, I have to do something with them. I would imagine they were broad cloth like the seats or would that be bedford cloth. What do you guys think? I guess I can try to find a yard or so of a similar material



the other question I have is about the dash. The original owner had this dash to use. He also had the butterscotch colored plastic dash which is in bad shape. I'm heading back over to the place where I got this Packard next week to see if they have the plastic speedometer and clock ( Tom says he knows they were there) the flat glass and gas tank.

I am trying to figure out if all 39 Super Eights had that plastic dash or would that have been an option and something like this was standard.

I did find this website: 39 Packard plastic dash

I don't think they are still operational though. Trying to source a replacement dash is a challenge. I'm kind of hoping I don't have to.

actually vinyl was around in 1939. But not there. My 41 has bedford cord that looks similar and Bill Hirsch had exactly the right fine ribbed type for my armrests. I'd ask for some swatches.

I'm fairly certain that fender lights were not even an option in 1939. The ones on the maroon car in the photo you posted are from 1940. You will also often see earlier fender lights fitted to 1938-39 Packards, tho I think the 1940 units are more popular.

The Blue car with the strip on the top of the fender... That car is full of crap that doesn't belong.

"I'm fairly certain that fender lights were not even an option in 1939."
Cool, I don't want to add them if I don't have to, your observation is very helpful.

I just finished reading your 1940 blog, very well done and what a wonderful car.

I found two swatches on Hirshes site that look close so I'll follow up on that.

Thanks all

Robin

If he is still making them, Troosh was making the marbleized dashes. They were for 1940, but might look to be the same as you have pictured. Others on this will no doubt have more input on this.