Stripes - to feel them or not to feel them

[smith69z]

Thanks for all the input.  And thank you Jerry for taking my call!

[firstgenaddict]

Single step the stripes...

[RamAirDave]

While you can't exactly recreate the lacquer paint with the modern BC/CC, you can get fairly close;  however, Camaro judging gives a "pass" when it comes to this (the largest area of the car) as far as restoring as they rolled of the line.

Does it really matter if you can "feel" the stripe if the rest of the paint looks nothing like factory?  A $20K flawless paint job that in no way looks like factory, but you can feel the stripe edge....  I know that "it is what it is" for judging, but it does seem a bit silly, doesn't it?

[Jerry@CHP]

Dave,

The lacquer of today is nothing like it was manufactured 40 years ago.  So saying that using 2009 lacquer (getting very hard to find in any form) is just like the factory paint is flat out incorrect.  The base coat clear coat systems when done right will look very good and last a life time.  Come look at my '68 red Z28.  The paint is falling off and checking badly.  Plus there is the shrinkage factor.  GM paints did not shrink up like over the counter lacquer does.

I own two survivor original paint Z28s and my new race car when parked next to them looks very much the same. 

Now I have to spent another $15K or more for another paint job onthe red car.  You can bet I will use the BC/CC system this time.

We will have to agree to disagree.

Jerry

[RamAirDave]

I wasn't the one recommending painting a car in lacquer.  It's been junk for a looooong time as you know.

My question is about making an attempt for BC/CC to look similar to factory vs. perfect and how it would be judged.

Here's an example.  Gorgeous paint, no doubt, but doesn't look like factory.  Would it be docked points on the sheet?

[Jerry@CHP]

Dave,

We do like to see a little bit of texture in the finish when judging.  I agree that many are over restored, paint is too thick, edges are too fat, metalic is too big, etc.

Jerry