To paint the car or NOT ?

[neelyrc]

1132021benz, if you are referring to the grommets shown in the two pictures I have attached here, these grommets on our cars left the factory painted in body color.  Shown: Chassis 007749, January 1969 built.

[1132021benz]

If that is indeed the case,I stand corrected and apologize!

[Pinder]

It a solid car. listen to your wife.  Paint it. Dont leave the hood unprotected like that. at least get it in primer. Epoxy.

[Pinder]

Dont do enamel paint.   go with a single stage AU paint and use a HVLP gun. Wear a mask!.

[Merc_Girl]

Not to everyone’s taste, but saw this MG A at an event in London and just loved that interior and engine had been restored but the rather crackled paintwork remained. Very rat rodesk 😁

[lreppond]

Katie,
I understand the rational behind this old paint.  I LOVE a pristine engine bay and a spotless  interior.  I find both, once thoroughly clean,  to be easily maintained.  And I can be a tad bit OCD about both but they are under my control.  Having paint that is less than perfect is ok by me since I drive my car and don’t want to worry about getting a scratch, dent or ding that inevitably happens and over which I have little control.  This is not to say I want my cars to look like this craquelure MG. A clean well maintained paint job with a little bit of “patina” is what I’m talking about.  If I had one of those cars with a perfect paint job, it would simply drive me crazy trying to keep it that way.

[ChrisInNashville]

Paint the car. Do it properly.

[Benz Dr.]

Katie,
I understand the rational behind this old paint.  I LOVE a pristine engine bay and a spotless  interior.  I find both, once thoroughly clean,  to be easily maintained.  And I can be a tad bit OCD about both but they are under my control.  Having paint that is less than perfect is ok by me since I drive my car and don’t want to worry about getting a scratch, dent or ding that inevitably happens and over which I have little control.  This is not to say I want my cars to look like this craquelure MG. A clean well maintained paint job with a little bit of “patina” is what I’m talking about.  If I had one of those cars with a perfect paint job, it would simply drive me crazy trying to keep it that way.

I've always been fascinated by new words. Craguelure - neat word, used correctly I might add.

[mdsalemi]

I've always been fascinated by new words. Craguelure - neat word, used correctly I might add.

Oh, are you talking about French or Italian? Should we modify the Wiki page to include German on cars? Totally fascinating. Probably the subject of a masters or doctoral thesis in art history.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craquelure

[MikeSimon]

German: Nockenwellenbeleuchtung, Kolbenrückholfeder....

[Merc_Girl]

Katie,
I understand the rational behind this old paint.  I LOVE a pristine engine bay and a spotless  interior.  I find both, once thoroughly clean,  to be easily maintained.  And I can be a tad bit OCD about both but they are under my control.  Having paint that is less than perfect is ok by me since I drive my car and don’t want to worry about getting a scratch, dent or ding that inevitably happens and over which I have little control.  This is not to say I want my cars to look like this craquelure MG. A clean well maintained paint job with a little bit of “patina” is what I’m talking about.  If I had one of those cars with a perfect paint job, it would simply drive me crazy trying to keep it that way.

Hi Len
I can see it both ways. In this instance, I think it’s so bad, it’s good, if that makes sense 😉. Oddly enough, if it wasn’t as bad as this, I would probably respray it! As they say, you only get that ‘patina’ or as you say ‘craquelure’ once 😁. As a well known UK antique dealer once said, what’s the difference between patina and rust? About £50!?!? 🤣🤣🤣

[mdsalemi]

German: Nockenwellenbeleuchtung, Kolbenrückholfeder....

Interesting German words. Like many German words, absurdly long by stringing together a bunch of other words.

But the French and Italian, and also Flemish are versions or styles of craquelure; not words, used to assist in authentication of artwork from the period, and provenance.

I had suggested with tongue in cheek, that we should define a new version of craquelure to include the cracking of paint on a German car. 

[Mike Hughes]

German: Nockenwellenbeleuchtung, Kolbenrückholfeder....

I've always admired the precision with which one can express an idea using six or seven syllables in German that may only take two or three syllables in another tongue.  ;^)  Perhaps they, like the French, Italian, and Flemish words, are expressing a particular version or style of craquelure?

[MikeSimon]

I've always admired the precision with which one can express an idea using six or seven syllables in German 

That may be the reason why the official language for Mathematics is German..

[hbrand]

So I had the hood and trunk painted but with patina so to match the old paint. Here are pictures

[BobH]

looks great from the pictures, and i particularly like two tone cars

I wonder if it's difficult for car sprayers to add patina?, their job is normally to achieve as blemish free job as possible, it's like distressing a repair to an antique, to make it blend in, without looking obvious

[cfm65@me.com]

Well done Harold! That is really looking GREAT.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town

[lreppond]

I think it looks terrific too.  A few nicks and dings doesn’t bother me at all. They just indicate a car that been driven and enjoyed!  To do a proper paint job requires a Herculean effort and I question if it’s really worth it for the average owner who just wants to enjoy his car.  When I see a spectacularly restored car, I’m always impressed. For me, however, I’d be so paranoid about it that I doubt I’d get much enjoyment.  Well sorted mechanicals, a clean engine bay and interior are more important for my enjoyment than  “perfect” paintwork.  Bravo to let the painter add some touches of patina.

[Mike Hughes]

Wunderbar!  It sounds like you're pleased with the results.  Is the lady in charge happy?

[rwmastel]

Oh, are you talking about French or Italian? Should we modify the Wiki page to include German on cars? Totally fascinating. Probably the subject of a masters or doctoral thesis in art history.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craquelure

The second w113 I ever looked at to buy was a dark red or burgundy '64 230SL that was craquelur.  I don't know if original paint from our period does that, or if that's indicative of a repaint.   Great word!  I'll use it around my cousin, curator in a museum.

Is the lady in charge happy?

I think that's what we all want to know!!!  And yes, the red body with black tops, interior, and hub caps is great.

[hbrand]

I had the dent removal guys working for one day to get all the dents from 50 years out.
Worst where the dents one does when removing the hard top and the center pin hits.
Top must have been on and off 50+ times in 50 years.
I am happy with the results. Car is looking great but one can see history.

[johnk]

looks great to me!

[joelpalmer]

Here is a suggestion  do a full on paint correction on the original red paint; then paint the hood and trunk top match as closely as possible ( a good shop can do this).  It is still two thids original paint and your wife will be delighted

[hbrand]

This great 280SL 4 speed is now for sale. I have no time to enjoy.
$ 115K, thank you for consideration
Please contact Harold 3863149010

[Cees Klumper]

For sale posts require the asking price be included.