I am looking for a shop to do a a bare body rep-spray with lead-based paint on my 1954 XK 120. I have original paint that is full of micro-cracks and needs replacing. But I really want to keep the original look - that of an old enamelled kettle. The car has original 44k miles and I don't want to paint it with water-based paint. Current colour is Cotswolds Blue.

I am based in Bay Area in California, but willing to ship the car reasonable distance.

Thanks a lot.

Denis Albert

1 415 994 1316

Submitted by mr.jwhey@rocke… on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 12:36

Dennis,

I just completed a respray on my 66 fhc. Used PPG Deltron. The PPG supplier (not a body shop) obtained the paint formula via a call to PPG Europe and offered to substitute leaded pigments if I wanted (also not legal in MA as in CA). When I inquired where they got those, the answer was "we've been in business a long time and they don't go bad." There's probably a dealer in CA somewhere that's been around for 30 yrs. Probably better to inquire in person than to call.

Mine's Opalescent Dark Green. I could not discern any color difference between the old leaded and the new unleaded. Unless you are planning to go with and old non-clearcoat system (which I would recommend against) -which can appear a bit flat without lead, you won't notice the difference. Maybe with a non-metallic you could see the difference but I doubt it.

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 22:18

Denis--cotswold blue--120??--interesting when you say it is original. Cotswold is a color that came in with the XK150. The 140 had a Pacific and Pastel Blue. Are you sure of the color??? I am not taking you to task but you may confuse any shop you find. Best of luck!