Correct Color on Grill.... finally

[Lynn]

I painted my car back in 2012. I wanted to go back as original as possible. I used lacquer.
Easy to second guess that decision now, but for the most part, the paint still looks awesome.

When it came time to paint the grill the correct silver color, research indicated the correct PPG color code to be 8568. When I painted the grill in 2013, PPG was still manufacturing lacquer. Problem was, my local paint store did not sell it and would not order it for me. Mind you, I am not in California. It is not (still to this day) illegal to sell lacquer in Oklahoma.

Found an on line supplier who guaranteed me they could send me a quart of PPG lacquer in code 8568. I painstakingly prepped and masked off my NOS black grill. Painted the egg crate with white epoxy (DPLF), and started shooting the "PPG" silver I got on line. Took about 8 to 10 coats to cover and when it dried was WAY TOO dark. What a huge disappointment. I was sick every time I looked at that grill (and the headlight bezels I painted at the same time). To make matters even worse, in the last year, the grill started to change color, but only in spots, so it really looked bad.

Friggin liar sold me some really crappy paint. The car hasn't spent a total of 6 days out in the sun in the last 6 years. I just needed a good push to get the grill done right.

Been working on a friend's 69Z as a favor to another friend. The dusk blue paint on Rick's Z is absolutely stunning BASF base/clear. However, when it was put back together, they did not paint the grill silver. Hey, at least they painted the surround body color. There was a very small dent in the RF fender that needed PDR. However, the grill would have to come out to get to the back side of the dent.

I decided both his and my grill needed painting. Off to the paint store. All I had was the color code. Fortunately, the very knowledgeable guy behind the counter knew what I needed. I STILL cannot buy lacquer (and apparently, PPG has finally quit making it, declaring it obsolete). I did NOT want a base / clear for the grill. I wanted a single stage. Sadly, the only thing PPG makes in a single stage is in the Omni line, which, as most of you know, is the budget paint. Still, even the budget Omni modern paint must be a lot tougher than vintage lacquer, right?

So, last Sat (3rd) I pulled both grills. Rick's was pretty easy, as I just needed to scuff the black plastic with a scotch pad. Mine took a lot more work. I wanted to remove as much of that crappy paint as possible. Wore me out. Both were a pain to mask off. Didn't want to get any of that new paint on the painted surround area.

Both came out well. I have not painted much, although I did develop really good spray techniques in the early 70's working in a body shop. Really hard to get good coverage on a grill without any runs.

On a side note: I won't be painting with any of the modern paints ever again without proper equipment. I hacked and hacked for two days, and had a killer headache. All I had was an old standard mask. No fresh air. Really stupid. Hopefully, didn't lose any brain cells. I have none to spare.

Pics of the two cars attached. On mine, one is with flash, and one without. The flash shot makes it look almost too light, but I am very happy with the color. I think Rick's looks way better with a silver grill.