1955 DeSoto Firedome - Antique Single Stage Paint Restoration

Mike Phillips · 05-20-2013, 08:02 AM

1955 DeSoto Firedome - Antique Single Stage Paint Restoration

I've been asked to restore the original paint on this all original 1955 DeSoto Firedome to try to save the original paint and avoid having to repaint this survivor classic car.

To do this restoration I'll be using the exact same products and process I used to restore the paint on Wayne Carini's 1954 Hudson.

Wayne Carini 1954 Hudson Hornet Original Paint Restored by Mike Phillips

BEFORE

AFTER

The project is scheduled for this weekend at the owner's shop. I told him I would have to rub the paint down the night before with a wet or heavy application of #7 and then do the actual rub-out the next day...

I'll be sure to document this project with before, process and after pictures...

**Chris@AutoCleanse** · 05-20-2013, 08:04 AM

Subscribed

**Evan.J** · 05-20-2013, 08:15 AM

I am liking all these single stage paint projects lately Mike.

**RTexasF** · 05-20-2013, 08:49 AM

Looks like the DeSoto has some rust issues to work around.

Mike Phillips · 05-20-2013, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by RTexasF

Looks like the DeSoto has some rust issues to work around.

I saw this in the pictures too. But that's one of the reasons I wrote this article and believe in it 100%

"Taking your car's paint to it's maximum potential"

My job will be to make the paint look as good as possible and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Also, if you look closely you'll see some thin and even missing paint on the right hand front section of the hood...

The Hudson I worked on for Wayne had paint missing here to but that didn't change anything.

Tip: Look just to the upper, inside of the driver's headlight.

The goal for Wayne's car and the goal for this DeSoto is to take the paint to it's maximum potential.

Neither Wayne, nor the owner of this DeSoto want to repaint these cars. The want to restore the clarity and gloss as much as possible because having the original paint is more important than all other options.

Yep... wrote the above article a long time because as I state in the article, been dealing with less than perfect cars all my life. Read the article, I think you'll agree it makes sense...

**RTexasF** · 05-20-2013, 09:15 AM

I have indeed read your article and quite honestly have never seen "perfect paint"......that's with the exception of some of the "after" pictures of some of the cars you and Todd have done.

Mike Phillips · 05-20-2013, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by RTexasF

I have indeed read your article and quite honestly have never seen "perfect paint"......that's with the exception of some of the "after" pictures of some of the cars you and Todd have done.

Detailers especially have an eye for defects...

Getting 100% of the paint perfect on the painter's side of the equation is a lofty goal but there's usually a few imperfections and that's just the way it goes.

Perfect paint? Hard to do... Perfect polishing? Just takes time and dedication to the craft...

Mike Phillips · 05-21-2013, 06:47 AM

Looks like I'm going to do the initial rub-down with the #7 to this car Friday night and do the rub-out on Saturday...

Anyone in the Fort Lauderdale area want to be a part of this project?