Paint Question

[ChrisA]

Okay, serious thread this time (Racoon Killer). I got the air cleaner decals from Mike at Banzai Motorworks. Put them on a freshly painted air cleaner(1972). My question is, anyone know of a topcoat/sealer I can put over the decals to protect them. The two small white decals are very papery(sic) and the silver carb adjust sticker is printed on a foil like backing. I thought about artist shellac but I dont know if it will withstand the heat of the engine bay. Any thoughts folks?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[Zrush]

What about the clearcoat that goes over the paint job. Would that resist cracking from the engine heat? Just a thought.

Vicky

[Marty Rogan]

Too bad you didn't ask the question first. I mounted my stickers on a thin magnetic sheet. I keep them in the glove box and put them on when I get to a show. That way they always look like new. They are too expensive to replace if they get dirty.

Not sure what you can do to protect them now.

Marty

[ChrisA]

Marty you should run for president. Cuz you'd get my vote. That is the slickest thing I've ever heard yet. Since I've got two Z's I'm gonna use your tip on the other one. Incredibly ingenious!!

Thanks!!

Chris

[bpilati]

Don't the judges notice the thickness of the magnets? Cool idea though.

[Ed]

Great idea Marty.

[Marty Rogan]

No one has noticed yet. Most are impressed that the decal are there at all. It's surprising how many cars come to shows without them. Heck, probably 90% of the cars at shows don't even have detailed engine compartments. That has been my experience in the Midwest anyway. Out in CA, it may be a whole different story. What do you CA guys/gals see?

Marty

[Zrush]

Concours, AACA, ZCCA will notice, believe me. Most AACA shows, the judges don't touch your car, they ask you to open doors, hatches, inspection panels, etc. They may ask about the magnets, just depends on the judge. The ZCCA will feel your car up to the extreme. They will notice a hair on the value cover. Been there, done that. MSA is peoples choice so it doesn't matter at all. Most standard local shows, I think judges would like the idea of the time you took to get magnets.

Vicky

[26th-Z]

Clear coat should work! But Vicky is talking about something entirely different. There are show cars that aren't driven and there are clean drivers that are shown. World of difference. Cars competing on the level of Zrush and Ol Yeller are show cars and their stickers must be "as original" because that is way the game is played.

[Bruce Palmer]

If you want to clear over the stickers. Go to your local Automotive paint jobber and pick up a can of U-pol clear in the gold aerosol can. It is a thrermo set clear that will no resoften under heat and should work well. Spray very light coats over the stickers so you don't reflow the ind on the stickers.

[ChrisA]

Thanks Bruce! Good to know. I really like Marty's idea. I have two air cleaner covers so I'm going to experiment a little.

Chris

[Marty Rogan]

Chris is correct. There is a big difference between drivers and show cars. Mine is in the class of a clean driver that is also shown.

It does really well at the local/regional level. I have often wondered how well it would do at the National competition. It is all stock , except for the radio, which I have the parts to put back to original. HAve the original hub caps too. The biggest issue is, that it is not a factory color. That fact alone would probably put me out of the running. I was thinking it might do ok in the daily driver class though.

Anyway, back to the stickers. I picked up the magnets at an office supply store. They come in 8 1/2" x 11" sheets. They are meant to be used in an inkjet printer, so they are very thin, only slightly thicker than paper.

Glad to hear there is a good coating for you to use on the stickers. Those little buggers are pretty pricey.

Marty