With all of the sanding completed,...
With all of the sanding completed, an air line was used to blow the surface clean.
Once dried and without re-sanding the panel, Schmidt mixed the final topcoat. Since the completed car would be red oxide in color, he once again blended up a batch of PPG Kondar DZ7 Acrylic Primer Surfacer Red Oxide with a dash of Duracryl DDL9300 black acrylic lacquer in a ratio of one part paint to one and a half parts thinner. After laying down two heavy coats, the panel was left to dry for 24 hours. Once cured, it was now finally time to start the aging process and Schmidt got stated by first methodically wet sanding the panel using 600-grit sandpaper.
A notable tip is to add a bit of dishwashing liquid to the water in your bucket to give the paper just a hint of slip, making your job easier. As he moved into the areas that were purposefully built up by the brushed-on red oxide acrylic primer surfacer, extra effort was required to begin exposing the Washington Blue hue hidden beneath. It's a solid idea to take your time at this step of the process so as not to over-sand the area. The beauty of exposing the color beneath is that you are in full control of the final outcome of the breakthrough.
Using white paper towels,...
Using white paper towels, Schmidt wiped down the entire surface with PPG Acryli-Clean DX330 wax and grease remover to thoroughly clean the surface of any contaminants, including skin oils. He then dried the clean surface with fresh white cloths.
When moving onto the flat surfaces as well as the curved sides of the roll pan, Schmidt used a flexible sanding block to achieve a nice, even paint surface. Particular painstaking effort was paid to the louvers, making the final outcome of their aging well balanced. Once the wet sanding was completed, the panel was thoroughly washed with clean water and blown dry. After a close inspection of the surface, Schmidt continued on using a maroon scuff pad to remove any fine sanding scratches while also ensuring a perfectly balanced surface texture. When finished, the surface was again blown clean, preparing it for the final step.
We have to admit that the final step caught us completely off guard when Schmidt broke out common red shop towels and a can of Comet cleanser available at any supermarket. To complete the surface transformation he wet the shop rag and wrung it out, then applied a dusting of Comet to it and began to work it into the paint. Using both circular and left to right motions with a hint of water, he skillfully worked the compound into the paint to add the final bit of distress to the paint surface. When the panel had been completely tended to, he washed it with clear water and a soft brush to ensure any of the remaining grit had been removed. Once wiped clean with a soft white cloth, it was downright amazing to see firsthand the patina that had been achieved. The final surface is one that is extremely durable and one which will age well over time. Mastering the illusion of a paintjob that had weathered over decades, yet being only days old is truly a skill.