Detecting a respray?

[m22chevy]

Hello and Happy Holidays everyone!

I am looking at a 68 convertible that is presumed by the owner to be original paint. When I look at the car what should I be looking for as far as clues to either originality or respray. Thanks in advance!

 

[Dad]

First off it can be the original color paint and be a correct statement but still be a repaint, check you color code against the present color. Most likely if it is for a car that old it has some/all been repainted. If done correctly it was taken apart, stripped, reprimed and color coat added just like it was at the factory with lacquer. Still it would show some age paint damage that would allow you to see if it has more than the original paint or added layers. If the job was done correctly you won't find any telltail signs of repaint. A sloppy job will show some over spray somewhere and most likely in the door mounting and hinges. Look under the edges of weather strips, door handles, door latches, trim around the windshield, and see if it was repainted with any of them on.

 

[6880 Mike]

Does the paint look like it's fortyfive years old? Is there any reason not to believe the seller? Does the color match the code on the trim tag?

I agree with Dad. If a potential repaint was properly done, it could be very difficult to detect.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Deciding whether paint is original or respray on a 45 year old car should be way down the list of things to worry about. I presume everything else already checks out OK on this car?

 

[Nut]

Deciding whether paint is original or respray on a 45 year old car should be way down the list of things to worry about. I presume everything else already checks out OK on this car?

I concur with Mikey..... but on a '68, unless it's been sitting in Jay Leno's Garage and not ever driven I would find it hard to believe after 45 yrs there are not any tiny spider webbing or hairline cracks along the segments of the fiberglass panel pieces and edges where they are seamed togther. Both my '72 and '81 eventually started to show these tiny cracks especially on the hood and they both were original paint cars.

.......... nut