TR4/4A Original TR4A Paint

[Stinger]

What type of original paint was used on TR4A's? Lacquer,enamel,or??

 

[Andrew Mace]

Enamel (although it's what the British called nitrocellulose lacquer, strangely enough).

 

[PeterK]

Nitrocellulose lacquer is what they use on guitars and is also used for clear nail polish.

 

[Stinger]

Enamel is what we thought but we're having trouble finding someone to use enamel paint on our car. Everyone wants to use base coat clear coat. We're trying for the old car look and not sure how the bc/cc will look. Any thoughts?

 

[Darrell_Walker]

You might ask about single-stage urethane. It won't have that super shiny base/clear look, if that is what you want to avoid.

 

[Geo Hahn]

...We're trying for the old car look and not sure how the bc/cc will look. Any thoughts?

I got the base/clear on my TR3A about 11 years ago. Gets driven a lot, washed occasionally, waxed seldom. People see it and say things like "You must have spent all day yesterday polishing".

Nice but... the shine is unnatural, like a really really good toupee. Looks great but not the same as the real thing.

If/when I have it to do over again I will go old school like the urethane DW suggests.

 

[Brinkerhoff]

Find some inexpensive synthetic enamel and hardener and spray it with that. It will fade out in ten yrs. or less. Leave the car outside as much as possible .

 

[MDCanaday]

If you really want the "old look" of the less glossy (bad old days) you have to go to a single stage paint.But even it will look nice untill you go to 100 carwashes and leave it in the blazing sun for 3 years.Then the chemical damages to the surface will have gotten you that look you wanted......and you will realize it was all a nostalgic fantasy. Good riddance to the days of crummy paint is my humble opinion.
MD( mad dog)