Moss Motors, Ltd

Hi,

 I have been away for about 10 years from the Triumph community, and am finally getting my TR250 finished. I am working on the body right now, and hope to have the bodywork done in about 2 weeks or so. So here's my question: what color(s) are best for hiding small imperfections? I am taking extreme care to make it look good, but know that I will miss some little area, that there will be a wavey area or something, and I don't want to find it AFTER I paint.

I want to paint my car British (or Triumph) Racing Green. I have loved that color since I was a small boy, and think it would look great. However, if it is one of those types of colors that shows everything, then I may reconsider.

Any comments/advice appreciate.

Thanks.

sixpacktr250, Buffalo NY

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sixpacktr250, Buffalo NY

'When something goes wrong, never rule out sheer stupidity.'

Generally speaking, the lighter colors hide the most. Sadly, BR Green is not one of those, which has a hidden blessing. It will require you to take extra time to get it right!

I'm not an auto body guy but I have done bodywork and painted a few cars. It's the rush once the primer is on that will get ya! Instead of trying to finish quickly, take the time to examine every inch, and commit yourself to the knowledge that you ARE going to be sanding some of that primer off, maybe even allot of that primer!

Once the primer is on, wet it down and examine it with a side-light. Take a marker to all the imperfections that you see, fix them and then repeat the process again and again until it's perfect.

I'm sure it will look wonderful, well at least there won't be any surprises once the paint goes on! The formula for a good paint job is Talent and Time; the more of one that you have, the less you'll need of the other! Don't rush!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

I assume that you want an authentic color, if not an actual "correct" color. If what you really want to do is hide imperfections, use a light beige metallic! That's what's on my truck, and I don't even have to wash it very often. Hide imperfections? You betcha!!

I wonder how that'd look on a TR...........

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

My Dad use to do paint and body work as a side line. His method for hiding small body imperfections, waves and very shallow dishes and dings was to spray on several coats of grey primer followed by a coat or two of black. He would then lightly and carefully block sand off the black primer. If there were any spots of black primer remaining, that would denote where the 'low areas' were located. He would re-shoot those areas first with grey then black and repeat the process until he had built up the low spots with primer to achieve a smooth surface. 

I know that in this impatient world which expects instant results this may sound too labor intensive for most people but, if done correctly, you can then paint the car what ever color you choose.

Good Luck with you project!   

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...one mustn't criticize other people on grounds where he can't stand perpendicular himself. - Mark Twain