#3283 features original 42 year old lacquer paint as applied at the factory. The can has never been hit or re-sprayed. 

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When I received the car, and consistent with what I found with #2315 that had sat quietly in a garage for 30 years, the lacquer paint 'shrivels' to create an 'orange peel' effect. From 20 feet away, it's fine. But not for a car like this. 

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My 'process' for rejuvenating the finish is a good washing and clay bar to establish the base, and the use of a paint thickness gauge to assess paint depth.

 

With sufficient depth to work with, I begin a wet color-sand process beginning with #1000 paper, and transitioning to #2000, #4000 and finally #5000 paper.  After which, I revert to my random orbital polisher with foam pads going from a heavy cut, to a finish cut, and a final glaze before waxing.  I spent over 100 hours on #3283's panels, and the gloss is better than showroom.  

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The roof, and to a lesser degree the decklid and hood,  have produced an excellent gloss but the exposure to sunlight  over a prolonged period left a dried look to the underfinish. But it is original paint, and as many friends have cautioned,  it is original only once.                                                    As you can see from the photos, the gloss is excellent but I                                                            could not bring myself to make the decision to shoot                                                                     these panels given the originality of the car.