A while back I decided that I would never want to drive down the road in a ferrari-red Ferrari. Just too loud. But what if a ferrari-red Aerostar suddenly showed up in your driveway. Then you'd take it, right? For me, this is no longer a theoretical question.
***********
It looks like the original paint on the Aerostar is good for a little over 15 years and I'm on year 23.
I'm fortunate to live near a Sherwin Williams automotive paint distributor that sells to the public. So I take my Ford color codes in and get their meticulously measured version of 4N - Wild Strawberry Metalic.
Now I have a ferrari-red hood on a burgundy van.
Don't know why there is such a difference. Did the original paint turn burgundy? Did some ferrari thug break into the Sherwin Williams database and change the formula?
Now I'm just as schizophrenic as the next guy, so one side says stick with the burgundy, allowing the van to be painted one panel at a time. The other side says, if only my mini-van was painted ferrari-red I'd probably get more chicks.
- More -
Last edited by RojoStar; 02-04-2012 at 01:02 PM.
Reason: updated photo
The sun and years had also turned the black trim to a weathered gray. Spray cans of Rustoleum 7777 Black Satin did wonders.
Fyi, the Aerostar cowl is held down by 11 plastic rivets that are unique to the Aerostar. You pry them off to release the cowl, then set new ones. Either use a rivet setter or improvise with a socket, pliers & clipper.
Here is hardware for around the grille. Plastics gets brittle, screws rust.
Last edited by RojoStar; 02-04-2012 at 12:56 PM.
Reason: added hardware pics
Are you gonna clearcoat? Thats where the magic is, otherwise your new paint will fade rather quickly. You need to wetland before doing the clearcoat, otherwise it won't look glassy smooth. It looks worlds better with new paint.
I will be doing the same with my '97 but I'm probably gonna go with a brash shade of blue.
In addition to the color problem, the new surface was not as glossy or deep as the surviving original paint. So I intend to try clear coat. This was a single stage system, but that should not preclude a follow up.
My previous job with this system turned out supremo excellent, so I'm looking at variables like temperature and volume. The hood is an good place for us beginners to practice because it's small, easily removed and there is no trim. I've got to work this out before I move on to the remainder of the van and then onto a high profile bmw.
Great work! I wish I had the skill to spray like that.
The fading occurs on all the surfaces that even remotely horizontal. I tried to paint one of the front quarter panels on my van using a paint mixed according to the factory code, but it was obviously a deeper color than what was on there. I may need to prepare mine for painting as well, as the clear coat has developed about 2 million tiny cracks. It will be just a matter of time before it starts flaking off.
The newer single stage paints will probably not be as shiny as the old stuff, so you almost have to use clear coat to bring up the gloss. The best clear coats I've used are the newer polyurethane (two part) types. But they also require at least a pressure hood over your head, as standard NIOSH masks are not sufficient to protect you.
I envy you CA guys that can paint outdoors with excellent results. I see the same thing on the American Restoration show...outdoor painting. I tried to paint my old horse trailer one fine, windless day here in Colorado. Looked just great until a big gnat swam decided to party on the wet paint!
I vote keep the new red color it looks............dashing!
I didn't paint outdoors, you didn't see me paint outdoors, you can't prove anything. I briefly wheeled it out of my hermetically sealed, CARB compliant garage just for the picture.
looks really nice down the side in your avitar shot.
gave up on the plastic pins in the cowling on mine. broke off so many times here from the high winds. last time coming over the top of the Astoria Bridge on 101, 125 mph head on gust ripped the cowling right over the windshield wipers bending one wiper arm up. cowling disappeared behind me to the river 200 ft below.
new one's on there with stainless steel screws this time, not going anywhere.
I'm going to try the Rusto. satin black on my black plastic mirrors especially. did you clear coat over the top to sun protect the Rusto.?
even 303 Aerospace sun protectant has let mine fade especially in the past couple years.
the plastic retainer pins on the Aero are weak and worthless. went stainless on the grill also.
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company.
