leave original paint or repaint it?

[sethkestenbaum]

I am the proud owner of a "new" 1929 Phaeton which has many of its original features. It is a driver and not a show car. This includes the original paint which is in poor condition and flaking in a few areas. If it wasn't the original paint, I wouldn't hesitate to repaint the car. I am looking for advice as to what should/shouldn't be done. Any thoughts?

[Tinker]

I guess it depends on how bad the flaking is? I personally would keep the original paint unless it so bad that metal is rusting.

[sidevalve]

Original paint! I love the old look myself.

[Marco Tahtaras]

I'd have to see pics to make a call on it. Also, it may depend on the type of paint job i.e. a restoration type versus "repaint".

I don't think I've ever seen original paint flake???

[85930tudor]

They are only original ONCE. keep it as it is people hardly ever see a suvivor car. most are restored. just my thoughts...Dave

[Jack '29 Sport Coupe]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you do decide to paint your car you will have to let us know if you want to go
the JS route, or something else. Personally, I'm in agreement with the rest of the guys that say to keep it original. There's nothing like the original patina to make me smile. JMHO

Jack

[darrylkmc]

I have an early 1930 Standard Phaeton with much of the original paint on the body. Some of it is missing and has surface rust. However my body paint is basically rubbed off down to bare metal, and this car was painted finish color directly to the metal. It was very oxidized when I got it and all I have done to it is blow off the dirt and applied a coat of 'Penetrol' with a damp cloth. You can now see the, I think, Kewanee Green and some of the Apple Green Stripe. I don't have any flaking or peeling of the paint. Most of the Black on the fenders, running boards and splash shields is missing, not sure what to do with the black areas.

[pick]

Keep the original paint & patina. It's only original once. If it is completely gone in areas rub in some WD40 or like product to keep it from rusting. You could also use paste wax, which sometimes "beautifies" the overall look. My brother in law has an old Dodge truck, "Ol' Rusty" that he treats with linseed oil once a year.

[darrylkmc]

https://fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=894&pictureid=8402[/IMG]
These two photos show what 1 coat of Penetrol did for my Phaeton.
If pics don't show, you can find them in my Album.
I have never posted photos before so I hope it works

[jkcrosson]

No way would I touch the original paint. I love the patina look.

[peters180a/170b]

take pictures and then paint the sucker.... !

[JTW]

Penetrol is an additive that is used to help oil based paint flow and level out. But it also seems to add "life" to old paint, and give it added protection. You have to recoat and rub it in every year. As far as the black fenders with chips - I have in the past chipped off the stuff that was loose and used a Q tip w/rust converter on the brown areas (couple of coats), and then a wash coat of semi gloss blk over the top of that area, or sometimes just a coat of Penetrol. No one likes brown and it looks OK from 20 feet.

[Louis]

If you want your "A" model to look like the ones in the movie "The Grapes of Wrath" about the 1930's dust bowl, I would just leave it alone and get me one of those caps that Henry Fonda wore in the movie .

[jkcrosson]

Although I would not touch the original paint, ultimately it is your car and your money. If you want to paint it to quote Peters "Paint the sucker".

[Steve Ciccalone]

Please find somebody very knowledgeable to look at this car. Please post some photos. The car might be OP but then again it could be a 60 year old repaint. If it is OP it should NOT be touched. How's the interior? The chassis? It may be the real deal and then again it could be an old resto.

[1931 flamingo]

They're only original once. I would leave it. JMO
Paul in CT

[pat in Santa Cruz]

All original painted A's I have seen with failing paint have the paint worn or rusted through or chipped or cracked but not flaking. I would get some opinions from experienced Model A folks as to if its original or an old restoration. If it is original, I would be inclined to preserve it. I love the look, and preservation cars are the class rising in value the fastest right now. Or given this present economy, perhaps that's declining less rapidly.

[Ron in Quincy]

Like Marco said, original paint does not flake, you will find with original paint areas where the paint is worn thru to the original primer or thru to bare metal.

Is it just a perticular area where the paint is flakeing or all over the body?

Posting some pictures would help to better evaluate what you have.

Ron

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Marco, Pat, and Ron, in that I also have never seen original paint peel or flake off. It's often worn thin and down to the primer or metal, but never peeling.

My 28 Paheton was repainted in the 50's and everyone loves the old "original" paint. Someday I'll probably paint it back to the original gunmetal blue. It also has some small dents in the doors, probably from being a party car in the 50's.

Can you post pictures of your car?

[Model A Man]

my 1930 roadster was repainted in 1955 and last year the lacquer started to crack and peel. I am leaving it like it is until I can afford to restore the roadster. The general public seem to like old cars no mater what they look like. so if it not to bad I would just leave it.