I am planning on buying/restoring a 1974 VW 412, and I need some
painting guidance.

During the early 1970's these 411/412's came with a new factory option
from VW, "TCP", or Tremendously Crappy Paint.

After years of offering the best, hand sanded enamel paints, dried
slowly in the sun, finally VW purchasers could finally enjoy the same
glossy, metallic shine American cars had, for a year or two before the
paint hazed, faded, cracked, flaked, and in some colors, simply washed
off. TCP. Tremendously Crappy Paint.

In 1982, when VW built my White Westfalia, the purchaser didn't get the
TCP option. On the contrary, I LOVE the white paint on my Westy. It
polishes up nicely, looks clean even when it isn't, and touches up
neatly. Definitely not TCP.

I know virtually NOTHING about today's auto paints, but I'd like the
same performance/qualities as my Westy paint to be on my 412. Same color
too, I think.

What is my Westy painted with? Lacquer? Enamel? Acrylic? Oil? Latex?
Imron? Gesso?
Is this still a good paint for a long-term, quality re-do? Ideas,
debate, costs, and thoughts appreciated. I will do all the strip/prep,
and have a pro do the spray.

Or is a brush better?  ;-) wink.

Developing business and guiding change since 1996,

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications
Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
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Call tollfree: +1.877.658.1278