ready for paint

[spidernut]

The earlier solid colors were single stage enamel which didn't hold up terribly well. Any time you'd wax the car your wax cloth would turn the color of the car. This was due to oxidation. The paint would wear down very quickly under extreme conditions.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, many production paint shops repainted cars with lacquers - they looked great initially but dried out and cracked over time. They were also very prone to oxidation and rapid deterioration.

Base/clears come in a very wide variety of qualities. Some won't last but 3-5 years while others can last 10+ years. Some single stage enamels can last 1 year while others 5-7 years. A danger of base/clear is the flash time between the color coat and the clear coat. If not done soon enough, the clear will peel. Look at most late 90s Chevys and you'll see it for yourself.

If you drop $2-$4K on paint, how would you feel if it got a chip, door nick or scrape? If you spent under $1K, how would you feel?

If you go with a non-metallic color and don't plan on building a show car, go with a single stage paint. If the body work is of excellent quality, you want to show it or you want a metallic paint or pearl, go base/clear in my opinion.

[DocGraphics]

Sweet...You've really come a long was from the pics I saw a couple summers ago...can't wait to see the out come.

I see you pulled the trigger on the Rota's & tires, what size rubber did you end up with?

[azruss]

Here is a spy photo of the car with the paint shop primer sanded out. Says the blue base goes on friday.
Don, I went with 6" Rotas and 195/55/15 Yokohama S-drives.

[ga.spyder]

I have Yokohama S-drives on my Spider and track Miata.Great tires! Very good traction,but liveable on the strret.Good in the rain,too.The car looks great,cant wait to see the pics.

[MrBill]

really like the wheels and tires ... what size?

[MrBill]

got my answer when the post went up... did you do any mods to the fender wells to make them fit?

[azruss]

No mods to the fenders. Running stock 71 springs. Have done a small amount of driving around the block, but have made some tight circles. No rubbing at all.

[MrBill]

thanks... the paint looks great.. I had a thought about the turn signals.. i think Honda has ones that are flatter than the H-D ones you are trying.. you might be able to get them in the Grill...???