repairing the trim around the wood grain is easy. a little time consuming but easy. 1.take all the trim off if you want but i used a razor and tweezers to get the last flaky bits off. 2. mask off the trim very well. 3. DO NOT SAND. you want it to remain smooth as possible (and the semi-sticky residue left will help you here). 4. with a small house brush(foam or bristle) paint on a lighter base coat. (i used a matte almond acrylic enamel...it's held up well! but car paint can be used) 5. as its drying, keep going over it in a long (very long) stroke to keep deep brush marks in the paint. dont worry about having a steady hand, unless you have parkinsons it will look fine! NOTE: Do steps 6 and 7 one panel at a time otherwise it will dry before you can finish 6. when the base coat is sufficiently dry paint on the darker topcoat with the same long strokes. 7 as soon as you paint it, while it is still wet, wipe it off in 1 long slow wipe. (you dont want to get all the paint off). the darker color will sit inside the brush strokes creating wood grain. 8. repeat 6 and 7 if you want it darker.
I went through a similar process with my wagon. Pics are here: http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=127487&postcount=1
Yep! That's the way I learned too, except that Fords used a vinyl coat, and the Mexican sun had fried off the high spots, so I had to strip it all and start with bare aluminum. I'd use an aluminum etch or primer, next time. It's starting to rub off. after 4 years. Cyber I like that clearcoat on yours. What brand?
I finally got around to climbing over the Roadie to get a look at that Clear Coat can the other day. It was a leftover can of Motomaster Clear Coat from a project I had planned in the early 90's that never happened. I think it was the spray spatter from it's age that made it turn out as good as it did.
