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OK,

The interior's done, the engine's in good shape - now to the body work: Need a finish that's shiny and DURABLE as my baby (70 Ghia vert) has to live outside. Don't need alot of fancy just shiny red. Have heard that Ployurethane is super tough. Opinions? Experiences?

Todd Johnston
Pisa, Italy

Todd I completed a frame off restoration on a 70'GHIA convertable in 97'.I additionally attended an auto body class for 2 years from 90'-92'so I have become somewhat familiar with automotive finishes.I would recommend a base coat clear coat system such as PPG or Glazurit.This is a paint system that is basically a dull color coat applied over a properly prepared substrate then sprayed with a Two-part eurathane based clear.This clear coat is tough,durable and long-lived with good UV protective qualities.To my knowledge its still pretty much "cutting-edge" in the world of paint technology and development.What I did with my car:I completed the body work and then primed,guide coated and sanded an endless amount of times over a six wk.period till I obtained ablemish free substrate(this is the key to or most important step to take to obtain a show quality finish as the final glossy finish will show or reveal any imperfections or mistakes on the coach surface).After the surface cured I sprayed the base coat clear coat in a proper,modern spray booth.After a day or so I color or wet sanded the clear coat to cut through the orange peel with 1200 grit wet-dry paper then machine compounded the clear which was seven coats applied.I ended up with a flawless,show quality finish.The color sanding step can be skipped,as it is a lot of additional work,and you will still have an outstanding finish If the paint man knows his stuff.Also BEWARE of using a buffer as in unexpierienced hands a buffer can ruin a good finish buy cutting through the clear down to the base.As there is much more involved in proper automotive refinishing then my info. given in this posting, feel free to contact at davelemke@hotmail.com.I dont claim to be a total expert and there are many that surely surpass me knowledge-wise in this field of pursuit,Yet I may be of assistance by virtueof my practical hands on expierience and schooling. Dave