I spoke with Scott at Harms Restorations tonite. Then e-mailed All Trim earlier and received a reply.
Here is what I found out:
The original grille paint contained MICA. That is not available anymore. MICA gave the paint a rough surface that had it "stand out" with a glimmer effect. Almost like you could say...black and diamond shine effect.
Scott said that he restored a 71' Cuda grille recently. It took almost a 100 hours. There were numerous cracks he repaired. I won't quote what he said it cost but it was expensive to say the least.
After talking awhile, it was concluded that I should go to the effort to restore my grille myself.
Scott felt that Frank Badalson/Roger Gibson Restorations was pretty darn close to how the factory paint once was like.
If I were to acquire original paint from either All Trim or the other guy who has NOS grille paint in CO., the paint would be astronomical in cost. There isn't much left. All Trim will do your grille only if you send it to them.
Apparently so is the other guy since they made a contract not to sell the paint outright.
Scott's conclusion on the differences between Totally Auto rattle can grille paint and Roger's paint was like night & day.
"There are people who want it done right and pay the price and there are people who are willing to sacrifice quality and originality and are satisfied with that." "To each their own"
e-mail from All Trim:
yes, using the original formulas.
I understand that eliminates a lot people having it done because of cost of shipping etc (when they can do it themselves), but i sold a bulk supply to another trim restorer and the contract effectively ensured that i or he would never sell the product, only offer it as a spray service.
if sending the part out is not in your plan, you can buy the same paint that comes in rattle cans from the same mfg in QTs, etc. (or at least you used to).He must not be up on what the Argent paint grille market is doing or care since he has NOS mixture.
