Where to buy Factory Grade Paint?

[TriumphGT6]

I'm getting my Triumph professionally painted and was wondering where I would go to get factory or factory grade paint to do the job?

Cost is no longer an issue, as I have come to terms that what I want is going to cost good money to get it done right.

Any links or company names would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
GT6

 

[sammyb]

Now here's the question: do you want modern factory-grade paint, or the quality of paint used by Standard-Triumph for when your car was new?

This is an important question, because original Triumph paint was of horrible quality, especially in the 50s and 60s. I was griping about the quality of my paint job to a guy here who sold TR2-TR4s new (and sold my car when new,) and his comment was "this car looks so much better than when new. We used to call the paint jobs 'primer coats,' because you could see the metal through the paint from the factory."

My dad's roomate got a TR2 new, and by the time it was off the boat in Seattle, the black paint was totally oxidized.

So, if you want the quality of original specs -- almost any modern auto paint will be above that standard. If you want modern top-quality, then there are many choices based upon what results you're looking for, and the color choice, and the type of finish/gloss etc... (And of course, everyone has their brand preferences.)

 

[Geo Hahn]

[ QUOTE ]
...original Triumph paint was of horrible quality, especially in the 50s and 60s...

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe it varied by year, color, day of the week or whatever... but the paint on my '64 is original and looks great. Shines up to a good gloss and does not show wear-thru on the edges.

Of course there are the nicks and bumps of the ensuing years but nothing to indicate a quality issue with either the original paint or workmanship.

 

[billspit]

What you will likely want to use is whatever your body shop has experience with AND can match the factory color codes.
Most any paint you buy in an autobody supply shop these days will be pretty good, but the higher end paint like Sikkens is very costly.

 

[steve99]

Sikkens is spendy, but IMHO thats the only complaint you'll hear about it, as long as its applied by a person who knows what they are doing with it.

 

[sammyb]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...original Triumph paint was of horrible quality, especially in the 50s and 60s...

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe it varied by year, color, day of the week or whatever... but the paint on my '64 is original and looks great. Shines up to a good gloss and does not show wear-thru on the edges.

Of course there are the nicks and bumps of the ensuing years but nothing to indicate a quality issue with either the original paint or workmanship.

[/ QUOTE ]

Geo,
Are you sure that the dealer didn't repaint it? I know this was commonplace, especially on the west coast. Also, there was considerable changing of paint suppliers during the 50s and 60s, so it isn't totally nutty that you might have a really well-painted original.

 

[trfourtune]

hey,first do some homework on the type of paint.original and original looking does not have clearcoat, so if you want the original look, no base/clear systems.that takes out all the regular production paint shop practice. enamel that is post sanded and polished (400,600,800,1200)sanded then polished will give an original outstanding look. anything else will look "modern".i have seen dupont eurethane done this way and that is the way i will go with my tr4.(original on the outside, fire breathing monster under the hood and body).
look in the yellow pages under body supplies and you might find someone to buy from direct.in vancouver b.c. can. there is white & peters.