The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Clear coat over original paint/patina

In the most recent Hot Rod they had picture of a Chevy that had the original paint and patina sealed under new clear coat.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried this. I'm thinking that a few rattle cans of clear coat may protect what's left of my paint and keep new rust out until the time when I can afford body work and new paint.

Perhaps my my paint (what paint you can see under the dirt and mouse turds)is too far gone for this to be a realistic option. Thoughts?

Look at it this way... If the paint has only deteriorated this much over 50+ years, how much worse do you think it's going to get until you're ready to work on it?

Just give it a good cleaning and keep it out of the weather as much as possible.

The problem you have with clearing your original paint is that the surface will have to be sanded/scuffed over every square inch to give the clear something to adhere to. Without sanding it is just a matter of time before the clear delaminates from the surface due to poor adhesion and just peels off.

Also, please don't shoot rattle can clear on your truck. It is just unhardened enamel paint that will just have to be stripped right back off when you repaint. Your truck will be OK driving in its original patina, just make sure if you have any sizeable bare metal spot that maybe you lightly dab them with some matching color so as to keep them from getting rust pits over the next few years.

Thanks guys.

Is there a wax, sealant or rust inhibitor that I should be looking into?

linseed oil will do what your lookin for.

Thanks for the tip