Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I have a 56 Caribbean with original paint. Unfortunately, the paint on the trunk is starting to crack and may falling off. I want to preserve the original paint and prevent it from falling off. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do?

Scott.

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I wonder if the linseed oil method Hank used to cover the old horribly weathered junkyard paint on his 55 to give it the patina he wanted is sticky enough and would work to hold down the larger flakes and keep them from falling off. Not sure how you would get the lifted flakes to lie flat and stay while things dried though.

You might check out his project blog starting around page 155 and read for the next 10-12 pages or sohttps://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=124546#forumpost124546 to see the start of the application and polishing -- lots of work and somewhat involved -- but the shiny results and hard finish are surprisingly amazing. The condition of the original finish is shown in quite a few photos in the pages prior and finished results a few pages after.

Barring that maybe clear gloss synthetic enamel would stabilize yet not destroy the original nitrocellulose lacquer. Getting the old finish clean enough for a new coat to stick using either method might do the damage you are trying to avoid.

There are many different options that you can try. There are many companies that make a patina preservers such as Eastwood basically it's a top coat that you put over the paint to try to encapsulate the checking and cracking areas. Another option is repainting the trunk and blending it into the original paint. There are paint shops that do still mix lacquer such as Hibernia auto restoration.

unfortunately any which way you look at it eventually you probably are going to have to repaint it. It is very difficult to reduce or stop the checking.

Thanks

James

Picture 2..looks like rust..I would be more concerned about neutralizing the rust

Then saving the paint.