I've seen plenty of posts and articles that 1984 Van Nuys paint was water based. But I need some clarification about this paint.

Is it water-based enamel paint?

Or is it exactly as described, water based paint, and water-based is not the adjective but instead the noun?

I am looking to buy touch-up paint for minor rust removal, and want to know what primers and paints are compatible with 1984 Van Nuys "water based paint" in the localized blending areas.

 

I'm impressed you have original paint. Mine was gone by the 90s as far as i could tell, and the PO threw a single coat of maaco paint over it. I just got done saving it from surface rust.

 

Good point. Thanks for reminding me.

Not all of the paint is original. 2/3 has been resprayed. But below the top of the lower body stripes all around the car is original, along with the passenger door, the left front fender, the lower half of the right rear quarter panel behind the wheel, front and rear bumper covers, and bolt-on lower body cladding all around the car. The stripes are also original.

I will have the known factory paint to blend, plus a few of the repainted areas. If anyone has a clue about what the repaint areas likely consisted of, please advise.

I'll post photos of the surface rust when I get an opportunity.

Thanks,

 

I happen to have a couple photos in my album that show rust.

https://www.thirdgen.org/g/picture/5017577

https://www.thirdgen.org/g/picture/5017583

 

My 84 still has its original water base red enamel.
I had a pint of Tractor Supply red that I was using to repaint my
western snowplow.

I used it to do some stone chip touchup on my Z.
Matches pretty close.................

Most of the auto touch up paint at the big box parts store is that
clear coat/base coat stuff and is a PIA to use.
Long gone are the days of the straight gloss touch up paint they
used to sell in the little bottles.
Unless you hit up the auto paint/body supply store or have a bud
that works in a body shop....................

Weather is finally breaking here near Syracuse NY and the Z is all shined
up and ready to come out of hiding in the garage for some summer crusin'!

 

The photo here shows what I think will be the most difficult repair. Will lose this section of stripe, and need to pull the rocker panel extension. Planning to start small (ha!) and learn localized blending with a compatible sealant/primer and paint. It may be wishful thinking, but at this point I still believe I can figure it out.

The photo also shows the 'new' paint line down to the top of the stripe.

 

The photo here shows what I think will be the most difficult repair. Will lose this section of stripe, and need to pull the rocker panel extension. Planning to start small (ha!) and learn localized blending with a compatible sealant/primer and paint. It may be wishful thinking, but at this point I still believe I can figure it out.

The photo also shows the 'new' paint line down to the top of the stripe.

 

If it were me, I would take a heat gun and remove all of the striping around the car. Have that spot fixed ASAP before the rust spreads and then just purchase the whole stripe kit from Hawks for what...150$? maybe a bit more or less cant remember. But in the end your stripes would look better and still be original looking and you would have peace knowing that rust was nipped in the bud.

 

also should mention that sometimes its those little tell tale signs of the rust poking out of the top of the GFX that are hinting at more possible rust under them. Might want to pull one side off just to check

 

3 posts in a row....sorry. While I cant help you with your paint question, This time I just wanted to compliment your car. LOVE red 82-84 cars in that red enamel! Nothing looks better than one of those compounded and waxed out!

 

I agree with you about tackling ALL of the rust. And about a full restripe.

I wish it were not the case, but I purchased a car with rust. But I couldn't resist given all the other positives with this car.

As far as single stage, there is something about it, too. Kind of old school like my previous '68 Charger or '70 Chevelle, both red. It does polish well, at least where I've started (so far only 2/3 of the hood, by hand; it took hours to remove water spots, but looks so sweet).

Honestly I don't mind that after many years of polishing one can get primer visible through thin paint. Gives character. But I digress. I can see someday, in the far distant future, this car getting stripped and painted. But at present it is very presentable, and full painting is not warranted.

 

Funny you mention polishing the enamel so much you can see primer under the red paint. Brings back memories. I had the same red 84 car back in 1989. This was only a 5 year old car at the time, but I worked for a detail shop and was always buffing on it. I litterally polished and waxed on that car so much as a kid that I polished right through the paint of a 5 year old car lol. I slowed down a bit after it started showing a little darker (the primer underneath) of the passenger quarter panel.

 

Ive searched all over. I cant find anything except for the correct paint code for your car, but I cant find it in enamel. I think your only option is to get it from a automotive paint supply store. Thats no problem for them.