Paint / No Paint

[Hurstolds1973]

Ok here is my battle. My car is starting to crows feet in a few spots & slight bubbling around the Vinyl top trim. Its a great 10 ft looking car. Do I paint it or leave it as close to original as possible? Joe
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419731_3_full.jpg

[black_bishop]

is that the original paint?

[76HOProposal]

erased

[brad442]

Joe,

That seems to be a really tough topic now a days. Like Bob said, they are only original once. If you are just "thinking" about painting it, I would wait. If you are considering repairing, repainting, restoring other items on the car and you will be disassembling it to a certain point, that might be a good time to paint. Before you do, research, call, ask questions, shop around. It will pay off in the end as there just aren't too many good body & paint guys out there anymore. Good luck.

[Hurstolds1973]

I am no paint or body guy. I do beleive that most of the paint is original and has already been spot painted and blendid in as you stated. The paint as you see is very shiney and shows well. I am just a little unhappy because it is such a nice car inside & out. If I let it go now it might get worse a few years down the road...... Joe

[442MUCH]

It depends on how you define "original". To some, a car is original if it has the factory paint, most of the stock engine and transmission. To others a car can only be original if everything is from the factory including tires, and replacement factory tires don't cut it. OK, liquids can be changed. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.

A car can be restored to "look" original but that doesn't make it so. Depending on what is done to the car, it can even be better than original.

Paints today are far superior to paints in the 70's, as are tires, shocks etc. So it all comes down to you. What makes you happy? Can you live with it the way it is, an original 34 year old 10 footer? (your words :D ) Or would you get more enjoyment out of the car that looked just like it did 34 years ago under close scrutiny?

The car is your's, the choice is yours. Whatever you decide to do, or not do, will be the right one. Good luck.

[damaged442]

How about I'll trade you both of mine for yours, and you'll never have to worry about it again?!? ;) :D I'd love a ten footer. Mine are both twenties. I guess it's all a matter of perspective with what you'll tolerate. Apparently, I tolerate a lot! I guess I'm biased though, I'd love that car even if it had holes in it I could put my head through! It's a 73 H/O dammit!

[damaged442]

It could be THIS!

[Hurstolds1973]

I got one like that too! LOL HEY is that for sale?

[442MUCH]

Bert, I think Joe has about 65 feet to go before he's even close.:D

[Hurstolds1973]

Not sure I get that. :o I was out in the sun all day workin on the cars..How many feet do I have to be from this one???:rolleyes:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419731_5_full.jpg

[damaged442]

See how much better your paint looks already?

[damaged442]

Not sure I get that. :o I was out in the sun all day workin on the cars..How many feet do I have to be from this one???:rolleyes:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419731_5_full.jpg

Umm, as far as it takes to put it in MY driveway?

[stews73ho]

Joe,
I think what will drive me to repaint/restore my car is the rust. When I was in search of the build sheet last summer I found some floor rust. It is not bad right now, but will eventually drive me to repair before too much damage is done. I was not thinking of a restore until I saw the rust. If your car has no rust I think you wait until it needs restored.
Eric

[gmkarguy]

Joe,

That seems to be a really tough topic now a days. Like Bob said, they are only original once. If you are just "thinking" about painting it, I would wait. If you are considering repairing, repainting, restoring other items on the car and you will be disassembling it to a certain point, that might be a good time to paint. Before you do, research, call, ask questions, shop around. It will pay off in the end as there just aren't too many good body & paint guys out there anymore. Good luck.

Amen!

[W451973]

Don`t forget to take into consideration how long the car will be down and you won`t be able to drive it. Not to mention the cost and once you get into it, wht else you might need or want to replace.

[W451973]

Not sure I get that. :o I was out in the sun all day workin on the cars..How many feet do I have to be from this one???:rolleyes:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419731_5_full.jpg


That thing is MINT compared to the one I drug home from Xenia Ohio. :D