Auto Restoration 101

There are several manufacturers of trunk spatter paint. Some are available in aerosol and others come in a quart can and have to be sprayed through a spray gun. I have had very good luck with the aerosol cans. I have used Dupli-Color and Plasti-Kote with good results. The main colors that were used are gray/white, dark green/aqua and black/gray. The colors will vary between year, make and model.

If you are doing a concourse restoration you will need to do some research. Most of the time the original color is still in the trunk for comparison. If the original color is hard to determine there are ways to find out what the original color was. Some old paint chip books listed the spatter paint color. Check with some restoration shops in your area, they might be able to help. Another way is to find a restoration forum on the internet for your type of car. Forums are a good source because owners will discuss which brand matches the best and also where to get it.

Some spatter paints are water based and will need to be top coated with a clear coat to make it more durable. Carefully follow the manufacturers directions about this. Make sure you have adequate air flow. The fumes will linger in the trunk without any air movement. Also wear a respirator, breathing paint fumes is harmful to your health.

Scuff up the area real well with a red scotch-brite pad. Also make sure the area to be sprayed is clean. Wipe the area down with some type of wax and grease remover or denatured alcohol. Mask the areas that should not have paint on them. Take your time and apply the product in thin coats. If it needs to be topcoated with a clear coat make sure it is fully dry first. Water based spatter paint will sometimes take 24 hours to fully dry.

Here are several sources for spatter paint.

Dupli-Color

Plast-Kote which is a division of Valspar

Restoration Shop: 144 factory-packed colors at 20% to 70% off everyday. Celebrating over 33 years of service to pros and DIYs.
TCP GLobal Restoration Shop carries Zolatone products that are matched to the original spatter paint colors. I have used Zolatone before and it is a superior product. Their website also has great pictures of the product and lists some of the cars that they are used on. Follow the link and locate “Specialty Restoration Paints” on the left side bar and go to “trunk finishes”

1965 Buick Wildcat Convertible with gray/white spatter paint.

1966 Pontiac GTO with dark green/aqua.

Tell us what trunk spatter paints you have used with good results?