New paint vs. old chrome. The barn find conundrum...

[obrut]

So, I've just pulled a 67 911 out of a shed (barn to most of you). Really solid condition, matching numbers, factory RHD (I'm in Australia). No stupid mods, no poorly done fixes, lots of OE stuff (e.g. original steering wheel, radio, steelies, hub caps, trim, carpets etc). Everything looks well used but it is all very servicable and consistent in wear levels etc.

Now to the problem, the car was delivered Beige Gray (a lovely colour in my opinion) but has had a resale red respray - presumably in the 80's. If this car was still gray, then you wouldn't change a thing cosmetically. All of the chrome is dull and a little pitted etc but everything is there and original. Same for the trim, worn but not damaged.

I am wondering how bad the "old" chrome and trim etc will look against the new paint? On the one hand - I would like to preserve the original bits of this car. On the other - the red paint has to go.

Has anyone BTDT - or does everyone just slide down the slippery full resto'n slope.

[Milou]

Perhaps you could respray the car in a "patinated" way so it does not look shiny new...(which would lead to a very slippery slope....)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-wakwqqxdc

It could be a nice alternative to a full restoration....

[obrut]

Thanks Milou, interesting approach

Another option is to try and remove the red and uncover the gray - this seems to be big in the VW bus world with guys using graffit remover, oven cleaner, paint stripper etc. Results vary greatly with how well the car was prepped for respray.

[HughH]

the second option would seem to be a good way to go.... if it worked that would be great, if it didnt you have not lost anything (apart from the cost)

[John Straub]

Interesting restoration... Never seen anyone do this before.

John

[Silverbullit]

Perhaps you could respray the car in a "patinated" way so it does not look shiny new...(which would lead to a very slippery slope....)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-wakwqqxdc

It could be a nice alternative to a full restoration....

Wow! Restored to "barn-find" condition. That's a new one to me.

[obrut]

Its not that I don't want the car to look good - I do.

Its just a shame that it is so original, complete and consistent - aside from all of that red paint.

[reedminor]

Ryan,

Depends upon how the chrome would polish up.... I left the chrome on mine when I repainted it.... its was not dull though, but certainly to have aged.

When does car arrive in Sydney as I'd love to have a look at another aussie swb, from around the same period as mine. They were rare beasts then, even more so now.

I'm thinking you try and get the red off - but you need to find someone who'd do it, and in the end it might be a more sensible economic decision for you to have the car repainted (I'm assuming by Zags)?

Justin

[Greg D.]

Yeah, I've been there a few times... even OK'ish trim will look "ass-tastic" next to shiny new paint. All or nothing....

The "weathered resto" is an intriguing idea, but it's an expensive one for a whole car and a weathered result... I applaud the thought, I'd do it for a touch up, but not sure I would do it on an entire car with my money... Removing the red would be ideal but if that paint's stayed on since the 80s, they probably sanded it pretty well underneath.

[Fishcop]

Yeah, I've been there a few times... even OK'ish trim will look "ass-tastic" next to shiny new paint. All or nothing....

The "weathered resto" is an intriguing idea, but it's an expensive one for a whole car and a weathered result... I applaud the thought, I'd do it for a touch up, but not sure I would do it on an entire car with my money... Removing the red would be ideal but if that paint's stayed on since the 80s, they probably sanded it pretty well underneath.

Hey Ryan

I reckon Greg's right. If the paint is in good condition since the 80's, then it might be very hard to remove (economically or not). New paint will nearly always highlight old trim (I can recommend a chromer up here).

I'd be inclined to find a paint industry expert and have the paint analysed - if it is 80's paint, then there's a chance it's acrylic (rather than sticky as sh!t polyurethane), and over a nitro based paint and there may be a way to separate the bonds. At the very least they can measure the respective paint layer depths and get an idea whether rubbing the red off is viable.

The car must be Beige Grey again