GWD wrote:
Can't say for most people, however, if we are doing a true restoration,
factory type enamels are used. Problem is most of the paints made in the
early 1900s, used production processes that were very bad
environmentally and can't be made now, so come as close as possible. If
it is a show car, trying to achieve a perfect appearance, then we use
lacquer and lots of it !!!.
John
<snip>
Nitrocellulose lacquer is not the oldest having been introduced in the
1920's. (1924 Oakland comes to mind as the first "Duco" finished car,
but my memory on this is probably wrong.) Prior to that "coach painting"
was used for colors other than black. This was brushed on then rubbed
down with a pumice. Many coats were needed and the paint was slow
drying. A good quality paint job took literally weeks to apply. This was
a huge problem in the high volume manufacturing of cars.
Henry Ford found a paint that could be hosed on (excess dripped off into
catch basins to be reused). Only one coat was needed. The problems? 1)
The finish was not very up to our modern standards (it was apparently a
very durable coating, just not as smooth and shiney as we are now used
to). 2) You could have any color you wanted as long as it was black.
Sorry to sound like I jumped on your answer... No harm/slight/offense
was intended ;-)
The original question was what kind of paint do most people use on
antique cars. The answer by John seemed reasonable to me.
Your post extended the information to give a progression of the types of
paint used at the factory, an answer to a slightly different question. I
felt that your remark might have left a person new to the antique car
field with an erroneous belief that all cars came from the factory spray
painted. I just extended your seven decade history a few more decades.
Cheers,
Tod