Muscle cars came with a big engine.
Muscle cars rolled off the assembly line in the 1960s and the 1970s. Unlike many cars manufactured during that time period, muscles cars were popular for touring or racing, and they came with a large V8 engine and two seats. Wildly popular with vintage car enthusiasts, muscle car owners restore the automobiles to their former glory using period replacement parts. Although a chip in the paint of a muscle car is repairable, it requires the correct supplies and a fine touch.
Instructions
1. Order the correct paint from an auto body shop or from an online supplier. For a perfect color match, you will need to know the make and model of your car, the year of manufacture and the original color (see Resources below).
2. Use an alternate method for determining the paint color if your car still bears the original paint but it is faded. If this is the case, take your car to a specialty restoration shop and ask them to mix a custom color for you by using a computer to read the color tone and hue of the existing paint on the car. Request that they take the computer sample as close to the chip as possible.
3. Mask the area around the chip after cleaning the surface of the car. Warm soapy water on a sponge is sufficient to clean the area unless there is wax buildup. In that case, spray on a wax remover and wipe off before masking.
4. Gently scuff the surface of the chip with 1,500-grit wet sanding paper. It’s important to use wet sanding paper to reduce the chance of the grit coming off. 1,500-grit sanding paper is very fine and will not scratch the area surrounding the chip. Buy it in an automotive supply store.
5. Apply filler sparingly to deep chips and sand it smooth when it dries. Follow the recommended manufacturer’s waiting time before applying the touch-up paint.
6. Brush on a very small amount of touch-up paint only on the chip’s surface. Use the artist brush and paint with care. If the chip is on the side of the car, sit on a chair to steady yourself. Use light quick strokes to brush the chipped area, covering the white undercoat completely without creating any runs.
7. Spray the chip as an alternate method if you have a good spray pen and a compressor. A spray pen puts a very fine coat of paint on your chip and provides the smoothest coverage. Use two more light coats of paint if you’re spraying it on.
8. Sand the dried paint after 48 hours or as recommended by the paint manufacturer. Automobile paint needs time to cure to a very hard shell in order to protect the integrity of the repair. Use 1,500-grit wet sanding paper and take your time sanding, using a very light touch.
9. Follow with matching clear coat when the paint is sanded smooth. The clear coat covers any slight variations and deflects the light over a larger area, drawing the eye away from the chip repair. Clear coat may be brushed or sprayed on in very light coats.
