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Kev, I haven't repainted a car since acrylic and nitrocellulose lacquers were in vogue, and know almost nothing about modern paints. But I do know that several prestigous restoration shops here sometimes eschew lacquers for single-stage in solid colors and can achieve an appearance which approaches closely the appearance of the best lacquer jobs, and of course gives the advantages of the modern paints. But they have noted that you shouldn't do it with a metallic as any buffing or wet-sanding will leave bare, unprotected metallic flake surfaces to oxidize, tarnish and leave sites for corrosion. True or not I don't know, but it sounds logical. My 56 Carib was done in single stage for the 2 solid colors where I wanted a finish like the original lacquer without the "hot rod" gloss, but the lower Roman Copper Metallic was done in base coat/clear coat which was then finely wet-sanded to again give the surface gloss of lacquer. I'm overwhelming satisfied with the results.

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awesome looking car dude!!

Cli55er you may be a little misinformed. Acrylic paints, lacquer and enamel, became available in about 1955. From that time on factory applied paints were nearly as durable as today's in some cases more durable.

The base clear is mainly an appearance advantage. It was first used on luxury models.

A straight paint job will not look as glossy as a base clear job but will look good if clean and waxed.

Car makers recommended waxing the finish every 6 months for best appearance, and to protect it. If this was done the finish would last indefinitely.

If not maintained the paint would get dull and wear out after 10 or 20 years.

This is considerably longer than a base clear will last. I have seen them peeling and looking like hell after 5 to 7 years if left outside and not waxed. The old straight enamel or lacquer, under similar circumstances, would be dull but not peeling and would shine right up if washed and polished.

Good point and well-said, Rusty. Though some colors and metallics in lacquer don't age as well as others, they can still be very presentable even after 75 years. Though my 34 has had some selected repainting here and there, the main body tub is still original Packard lacquer and has held up quite well. There is a bit of crazing over the lead joints in the roof, but relatively minor. Those areas that were repainted, fenders, hood and metal spare tire covers, were done in nitrocellulose lacquer 30 years ago.

The one HUGE advantage of painting with acrylic or nitro lacquer is that they are amateur-friendly!

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Powder Coat if possible. Pics represent; what was and what is to be!

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