O

Rubber  sanding blocks  of  different   shapes  and sizes   are used    on  the

various surfaces    of  the body.

By Angelo VanBogart

ne of the most obvious signs of a quality restoration is the condition
of a car’s paint. Many people paint cars, but a small few do so with
a mind toward judging, and in those cases, the restorer’s reputation is on
the line. As paint evolves, these esteemed restorers develop new
techniques to achieve the show-stopping results they have perfected with
other products. Among those who has evolved with paint is Jerry
Kopecky of Kopecky’s Klassics in Iola, Wis.
Kopecky restores finned MoPars, many of which have achieved record
prices at big-time auctions. To maintain this high level of restoration,
Kopecky has had to develop new methods when presented with new
paints mandated by the EPA. He concedes that restorers will each have
their own method of applying and working the paint for show-quality
results, but he shared his secrets for obtaining ocean-deep paint on
owner Randy Guyer’s black 1960 Chrysler 300-F convertible, the last
such car built that year.