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The pin-striping on the black Packard wheels complements the period-correct whitewall tires. The hand-painted pin-striping doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. The pinstripes on the original '38 Packards were painted by hand, rather than by a machine, so they weren't always exact.
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In this episode of Classic Car Restoration, the topic is cosmetic restoration. In this third segment of episode 409 Mark Lambert demonstrates a technique for pin-striping wheels.Materials: Freshly painted Packard wheels
Beugler tool
Enamel paint
Plastic drinking straw
Old record turntable
Gallon paint-can Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.
Pin-Striping Technique
In earlier times, pinstripes were painted on by specialists using a swordfish brush (figure A). For a highly skilled pin-striper, it would take about two hours to pinstripe a single car. The Packard's "120" cars, like our coupe, rolled off the line at a rate of 20 per hour, so a method had to be devised to do the job faster. So a pin-striping tool with guides (figure B) was developed that enabled even an unskilled worker to pins-stripe a car in 15 minutes.
- A similar tool, known as a Beugler tool (figure C) is used today. The tool can be pre-loaded with paint.
- One of three different roller heads (figure D) can be selected, depending on the width of line you want.
The adjustable guide wire on the tool (figure E) can be used to follow a body line to ensure a straight or parallel pin-stripe. For our project, we pinstriped the Packard's wheels, so we used the guide wire to follow the wheel rim.The paint we used is one-shot lettering enamel (figure F). It can be used straight out of the can, or a small amount of hardener can be pre-added to reduce curing time.
Begin by pulling the plunger back on the Beugler tool, then load the paint in the tool.Tip: You can use a plastic drinking straw to load paint in the tool without making a mess. Install the roller head on the tool, making certain it is down snug and that the roller is aligned straight.Push the plunger until you see a small amount of paint emerge from the tip. Paint a few test stripes on a scrap of paper or cardboard (figure G) to get a feel for the tool.
For pin-striping a wheel, Mark uses a homemade setup of a gallon paint-can sitting on top of an old (but working ) record turntable (figure H) found at a garage sale. Set the wheel on top of the paint can so that it is perfectly centered (figure I).
Our Packard wheels had been sandblasted and repainted black.With the wheel spinning atop the turntable, the guide-wire can be used to track along the wheel's lip while painting a perfectly controlled pinstripe line (figure J).Readjust the guide-wire (figure K) to paint the second and third circular pinstripes inside the first circle.
To be perfectly period-authentic, we would need to install bias-ply tires (figure L) on our restored Packard. Since our Packard is intended for driving, rather than a show car, we opted to install modern Diamondback radial tires (figure M). Modern radials are safer, longer wearing and quieter. You can get radials with vulcanized period whitewalls to emulate the retro look of the originals.
RESOURCES :
Resources and Special Thanks for Classic Car Restoration 400 series
The Packard Club
Columbus, Ohio
(National & regional clubs, car shows & judging, magazine, resources, etc.)
The Cormorant magazine
The Packard Club
www.packardclub.org
Packards International Motor Car Club
(National owner's club, judging rules, magazine, newsletter and other resources)
Santa Ana, CA
Packardsinternational.com
Packards of Chicagoland
(Regional affiliate of The Packard Club)
Elmhurst, IL
Packards of Chicagoland
America's Packard Museum
Dayton, Ohio
www.americaspackardmuseum.org
The National Packard Museum
Warren, OH (the birthplace of the Packard)
www.warren.org
The Packard Motor Car Foundation
(Foundation for preserving the Packard marque)
Restoring the Packard Proving Grounds and other Packard activities.
www.packardmotorfdn.org
Motorbooks International
www.motorbooks.com
Automobile Inspections LLC
(Nationwide automobile appraisal & inspection services, including classic cars)
Hartford, CT
www.automobileinspections.com
Classic Auto Appraisals
(Evaluation of Classics, Street Rods, Antiques, Competition Cars, Exotics, Commercial Vehicles and Hand Crafted Vehicles).
www.autoappraisals.com
Special Resources for DCR-409:
Norton Abrasives
Phone: 800-456-8444
A full line of stock products including abrasives, masking products, adhesives, sealers and safety products for the auto body professional.
www.nortonabrasive.com
- Diamond Back Classic Tires
Conway, SC
Steel belted radials for classic cars. The ones put on our car were: 5 Diamond Back 215/85R16N radials with 3-3/4"" whitewall.
Phone: 888-922-1642
www.widewhitewalltires.com
- Agape Auto
Evansville, IN
Phone: 812-423-7332
Custom auto body work. They hand-made the fender-skirts for our 1938 Packard. Our fender skirts were made from original patterns. Skirts are made of sturdy 20 gauge steel. All mounting hardware is included. Foam gasket is included.
Price: $200 pair.
www.skirtsandvisors.com
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