You're not an owner of a classic car, you are a custodian for the next.
I don't want to sound like an incumbent government blaming the previous government for all that is wrong but I do hold the previous owners of my classic 1968 VW beetle responsible for it's poor paintwork.
I am writing this after many hours of hard labor trying to remove the rattle can acrylic paint and underlying barrier coat poorly applied on the original paint.
As my hands are sore and cracked due to the standard thinners and my head is pounding from the solvent fumes wiping away layers of cracked paint applied by the previous owner. It has given me time to reflect on how owners apply layers of paint without regard for the next generation of owners.
The previous owner tried to apply rattle can acrylic paint onto the factory paint, I assume that this caused a reaction so slapped a barrier coat underneath.
His lack of understanding of the paint chemistry caused me to try to first flat sand the acrylic which clogged the sandpaper after a few minutes. I persevered and on applying cellulose primer found it reacted and slid right off.
So I had to sand down again. Working out that it is an acrylic paint reaction with the cellulose solvent. Sanding acrylic paint is hard as it never truly sets and stays semi hard.
Found that using standard thinners and lots of rags you can wipe back the layers until you are back to the original paint. The original paint had a hard lacquer which does not react with the thinners. It also removes a barrier coat which was
The acrylic paint never dries and has cracked like crazy paving.
How does this relate to the original title, as a classic car owner you have chosen a duty, responsibility and upkeep to the car. Yes you own it but just as a land owner who owns land which has archaeological ruins on his land, has a responsibility to protect and preserve for prosperity for the next generation.
It also holds comparison with the climate crisis. We are all asked to consider our impact on the planet and our legacy on the next generation.
"Leave only footprints" is a slogan relating to the planet which also rings true on your classic car. Leave your mark but respect your car and its legacy.
A Zen quote which sums this up:
"As a bee gathering nectar does not harm or disturb the color & fragrance of the flower; so do the wise move through the world."
Definition of an owner:
a person who owns something.
Definition of a custodian:
a person who has responsibility for taking care of or protecting something.
Which one are you?
Definition of legacy:
something left or handed down by a predecessor
