HELP - NITRO DUCO RESTORATION ADVICE

[ferdi]

Ive recently become custodian of an FB special, still with original nitrocellulose duco. (Fernando Yellow/Arctic Beige). Paint is in reasonable condition, but quite dull and needs some TLC. Id like to restore the shine, but don't want to damage the original paint. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks for your help

[EK283]

Mr Ferdi,

Hand buffing with buffing compound if the paint is dull and thin followed with a turtle wax polish.

If you use a machine buff you have to be very careful, if it burns through well repaint it is.

Any pictures ?

Regards Greg

[ferdi]

Many thanks Greg. Planning to do it all manually. The old girl already has a few spots where some over zealous polishing has been done by previous custodians. What buffing compound is suitable for old nitro paint?

[Blacky]

what a pearla

[ferdi]

Yes, Blacky. She's a ripper. Ive been on the hunt for quite some time. Patience paid off, and she has finally followed me home. Nice history and running beautifully thanks to a dear friend who is much more knowledgable under the bonnet than I! Even have the original purchase receipt for 1250 pounds! The original owner traded in an FC and received 810 pounds for the trade in!

[Errol62]

Beautiful Ferdi. You’re a lucky bugger!


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Brett027]

Great car- I've got one the same only in rusty pieces currently. I was of the understanding that the paint was acrylic lacquer and not nitro for Fernando Yellow?

[Harv]

Whilst flash new colours are nice, the original colours really suit the FB/EKs. That yellow looks great, as does the coral colour on Greg's car. Tiger Mica and Hothouse Green will age, but the original colours haven't.

Cheers,
Harv

[FireKraka]

Very nice Ferdi congratulations on picking such a nice survivor good luck with the polishing mate.
Regards
Neil

[EK283]

Hi Mr Ferdi,

I am sure that brett037 is right and that all Fbee's and EKay's are in fact acrylic lacquer.

If you have a local paint supply store near by have a chat with them as there is lots of products on the market.

I have used Acrylic buffing compound with success and doing it by hand wont take much off. If your worried there is finer grades of polish that may work.

Regards Greg

[Blacky]

early FB's were painted in nitro, paint prefix will be 256-xxxx for nitro and 585-xxxx for acrylic

[ferdi]

As usual, Blacky seems to be correct! I am of the understanding that Nitro Duco was used on FBs for about 6 months (until June 1960). My girl was manufactured during this period...so yes, nitro duco.

[ferdi]

ID Plate:
PAINT 256-9702
INSERT 256-9640
TOP 256-9702

[EK283]

Nitrocellulose lacquer,

Very interesting ! I had in my mind that the FB had the acrylic but obviously mid flight.

So if my memory serves me right Duco is a brand name developed by the company DuPont and was indeed nitro.

I love this old stuff ! Always learning.

Regards Greg

[Errol62]

I’m with you Greg. Magic mirror finish was the sales blurb to promote the new Dulon paint on the EKs I believe.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie