I painted my 1972 Cutlass 442 in it's original Viking Blue using PPG Viking Blue acrylic lacquer and the cleared over with PPG High Performance Clear acrylic lacquer. Yes, I used that 20-25 year old paint I've stored inside for 20 to 25 years. Sprayed beautifully with my Bink's 2001 siphon feed gun. I tried on a test panel the two HVLP guns I bought new and just couldn't get used to them. Not bad but not as good as the Bink's. I guess shortly I'll be posting two all new HVLP guns and all the 3M PPS 2.0 cups, liners and lids up for sale since this is my last car I'll ever paint! So, if you're looking for one, keep an eye out on the classifieds.

Any rate, the paint sprayed well and looked better with each new coat. I had bought a spare quart of TCP Global Automotive lacquer in Viking Blue and from the test panels compared to the PPG on the car it was a pretty good match. The paint is not quite as spectacular as the photos appear..... but close. It will need to be wet sanded and buffed. The minimal bodywork is nice but not perfect. I found a few boogers and surprises after the paint. Once buffed, it will look maybe 90% as good as my old BOSS 302 paint job! Got a set of CRAGAR SS and BFG Radial T/A's coming for it and most of the few non-original parts that I needed for it. Now, the fun begins!

Yesterday was a really long day for an almost 72 year old! Thanks for all the information provided here on Classic Oldsmobile!

OLE442

 

Nice! I really like that color!

 

Nice another lacquer fan!

 

Looks great!!

 

Looks great! There is a great deal of satisfaction in doing this yourself. Can't wait for pics following cut/buff. That color is one of favorites!

 

Beautiful! Congrats.

 

Yes, now all I have to do after wet sand and buffing is to mask all the stripes and spray them in white. The thin pinstripe (Non-W30) side stripes will be a challenge!
It's a shame I didn't get this done a couple years ago so I could have brought it to the OCA National Show in Dayton where I got to meet you and your wife (you were kind enough to let me borrow a chair in the shade for a bit!).

Thanks again,
Gary

 

Don't worry about doing the thin stripes! My mentor, used to paint pinstripes on cars, using lacquer, all the time, and I learned how, too. Not hard, and you get a nice edge with lacquer, if you use good Fineline tape. Used to do the double stripes, one thick (1/8") and one thin (1/16"). If you get a "flap" of paint that the tape didn't cut off, just rub it 90* with your finger, and it will come off by itself. After the paint is completely dry, of course! I hope you already know the technique of pulling the tape off at an extreme angle, to cut the paint, as you pull the tape?

 

Whatd the paint cost ya 25 years ago? Think of the $$$ you just saved...minus your labor. A paint job is 20K and up today!! Ridiculousness!
To think I had mine done in 1991 for $2200! I sent them a stripped car, dog house loosely attached. They removed the windshield & rear glass, did the bodywork too (Cali car zero rust just dings)...2200! Add another zero to that today.

I still have 2 QTS of the Dupont lacquer. I shake it up, stick the bottom, turn the cans over monthly, and add thinner every few years. It's still good.

 

I really can't remember. Seems like 7 or 8 hundred dollars but I bought the color, clear, 3 or 4 cans of the PPG temp range thinner, a quart of KONDAR Grey primer and maybe a few other supplies. Been a long time and I may find the bill someday!

 

I made a 4 ft. door and an 8 foot sidewall on the paint booth out of two by twos instead of two by fours so that I could unbolted and move it out to be able to get the car in. I also had the ceiling above that expense as a floating ceiling, so I can remove it in the ceiling won’t drop down. Hopefully I'll have this ready to move by the weekend. I hope to get it moved out of the paint booth and have the booth all torn apart and start dispersing my stuff all back around where it was. Then I'll start working on the 442 to cut n buff and reassemble it.

 

OLE442 - Wow, that is beautiful man, just awesome! 👍 Congrats and good luck getting the rest of her back together. Can't wait to see the final product!