Crystal topaz 2 paint
Discussion
Hey guys,
I've bitten the bullet and taken the Tuscan to the bodyshop for some paint work but come up against a bit of an issue!
I wasn't aware that although crystal topaz has an ICI paint code, topaz two (which it turns out mine has) doesn't!
Anyone have any ideas?!
I assume that will be part of the reason that the previous front end repair on my car wasn't quite the right colour.
The front of my car was very stone chipped whilst the rest was pretty good but as always there Were marks here and there...so having the following done:
Cheese grater grille
S splitter (black again)
Service bonnet
Main bonnet
Scuttle panel
Both wings
Rear section
So...just not the middle. Looking like the only way too make it right is have the whole car done but wasn't exactly the original plan!
Any thoughts??
Cheers!
I've bitten the bullet and taken the Tuscan to the bodyshop for some paint work but come up against a bit of an issue!
I wasn't aware that although crystal topaz has an ICI paint code, topaz two (which it turns out mine has) doesn't!
Anyone have any ideas?!
I assume that will be part of the reason that the previous front end repair on my car wasn't quite the right colour.
The front of my car was very stone chipped whilst the rest was pretty good but as always there Were marks here and there...so having the following done:
Cheese grater grille
S splitter (black again)
Service bonnet
Main bonnet
Scuttle panel
Both wings
Rear section
So...just not the middle. Looking like the only way too make it right is have the whole car done but wasn't exactly the original plan!
Any thoughts??
Cheers!
Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies.
Rob-I'll let you know. Feeling pretty confident with how it will come out as they do some lovely stuff and the painter is a very thorough guy. Met way too many spray and runs...literally!
Looking like the whole car is going to get done as its not a cheap process getting to where I will be at and then to have it look wrong will be a big mistake.
My experience of CT is that to the eye it might look ok but take a photo and patchwork quilt comes out!
Ps- spectraflair is awesome!
Thanks for the replies.
Rob-I'll let you know. Feeling pretty confident with how it will come out as they do some lovely stuff and the painter is a very thorough guy. Met way too many spray and runs...literally!
Looking like the whole car is going to get done as its not a cheap process getting to where I will be at and then to have it look wrong will be a big mistake.
My experience of CT is that to the eye it might look ok but take a photo and patchwork quilt comes out!
Ps- spectraflair is awesome!
Got mail and replied 
Just to carry on the posting in the right place (hopefully will help someone searching for this topic in the future) here is what I posted over in the door removal post.
Very long story short, the paint shop have been so helpful at doing lots of colour spray outs and having it tested by various paint suppliers.
My car has been painted before but whilst it was OK it wasn't brilliant and had a few short cuts hence deciding to go for the whole thing.
It's close but slightly different what I am going for but it is what crystal topaz 2 should be and I now have a full paint make up list so should I need paint done in the future, the right match can be made.
They sprayed out a test shell for me to make sure I was happy
I'm a pretty fussy customer so I'll reccomend the garage only if all goes to plan! :-)
Just to carry on the posting in the right place (hopefully will help someone searching for this topic in the future) here is what I posted over in the door removal post.
Very long story short, the paint shop have been so helpful at doing lots of colour spray outs and having it tested by various paint suppliers.
My car has been painted before but whilst it was OK it wasn't brilliant and had a few short cuts hence deciding to go for the whole thing.
It's close but slightly different what I am going for but it is what crystal topaz 2 should be and I now have a full paint make up list so should I need paint done in the future, the right match can be made.
They sprayed out a test shell for me to make sure I was happy
I'm a pretty fussy customer so I'll reccomend the garage only if all goes to plan! :-)
Just an update ( if people are interested! ) 
It's going to take a bit longer than originally planned as the bodyshop were only scheduling a small front end and of course a whole car is a different story!
Most prep is done, these pics were a week ago. The s splitter is now reinforced as I caught it a while back and it split badly. Going to have this in a rubber finished black so it can be easily repaired at home if required. As much as I would love to have it body coloured, that might not be sensible!
These pics are a week old so shuts and damage around boot lid (previous owners careless with roof going in boot and fuel nozzle!) Now done
Boot lid now off and going to have hinges painted black-anyone have experience of this?
Doors are now off correctly (see other post!)
Those hinges are a fantastic design. Well done Blackpool!
Cheers
It's going to take a bit longer than originally planned as the bodyshop were only scheduling a small front end and of course a whole car is a different story!
Most prep is done, these pics were a week ago. The s splitter is now reinforced as I caught it a while back and it split badly. Going to have this in a rubber finished black so it can be easily repaired at home if required. As much as I would love to have it body coloured, that might not be sensible!
These pics are a week old so shuts and damage around boot lid (previous owners careless with roof going in boot and fuel nozzle!) Now done
Boot lid now off and going to have hinges painted black-anyone have experience of this?
Doors are now off correctly (see other post!)
Those hinges are a fantastic design. Well done Blackpool!
Cheers
Edited by matt-man on Wednesday 18th November 14:01
Hey guys,
Thought I would post up an update. The car was in primer for three weeks to ensure that any parts that might have any Sinkage will do their job now and not later!
Final flat back and on Christmas eve she was painted! I watched it being painted which was a very cool process to watch
So, 30 minutes later I could have a quick walk round the booth to take pictures and I am very impressed with the gun finish however will be having it polished.
Some pics
All the rest of th3 panels need painting now and should be done by end of Jan ready for me to get in the garage and get the carpets out and replace. I bought a kit from Lakewell classic cars in Belgium and the product looks great. Also had the door cards retrimmed.
Will keep the post updated
Thought I would post up an update. The car was in primer for three weeks to ensure that any parts that might have any Sinkage will do their job now and not later!
Final flat back and on Christmas eve she was painted! I watched it being painted which was a very cool process to watch
So, 30 minutes later I could have a quick walk round the booth to take pictures and I am very impressed with the gun finish however will be having it polished.
Some pics
All the rest of th3 panels need painting now and should be done by end of Jan ready for me to get in the garage and get the carpets out and replace. I bought a kit from Lakewell classic cars in Belgium and the product looks great. Also had the door cards retrimmed.
Will keep the post updated
Edited by matt-man on Wednesday 30th December 08:49
Edited by matt-man on Wednesday 30th December 08:57
Tuscanny said:
Wow that was always the best colour in my opinion, looks absolutely stunning, the interior carpets did need a refresh I must say but great work matt a true tvr enthusiast.
It's an illness really...at least that's what the wife says! It will look great...probably a little odd for you seeing your old car in bits!
MrChips said:
Looks great! Odd that the lacquer looks already very shiny and clear already, unless they've already been sanding it in the same room.
Are you going to do anything to protect it once you're back on the road? Ceramic coat/wax etc?
Thanks Are you going to do anything to protect it once you're back on the road? Ceramic coat/wax etc?
These photos were taken literally 30 minutes after the last coat of lacquer was laid.
It has had three coats of lacquer so that I have the decision to have it fully flat polished rather than mopped. Going to make the decision once its mopped as I might not need the extra two days work!
The main stone chip areas (such as wheel arches, bottom of sills and where the roof panel fits in) will all have 3M paint protection film. Other than that, im not wrapping the front.
Once its had a month or so to settle, I have swissvax best of show wax that I will put on it which should make it shine!
I must say I am very impressed with their work so far and once done I will shout their names from the rooftops as we need a decent bodyshop who will work on TVR's in the area!
Edited by matt-man on Wednesday 30th December 23:49
m4tti said:
Interesting who told you clear coat won't have a good finish straight from the gun? We don't know if there had been a tack coat followed by, two wet coats etc. at that point it should look very shiny.
That's right, one tack coat and then two wet coats. It's a very nice finish.Edited by m4tti on Thursday 31st December 00:07
Edited by m4tti on Thursday 31st December 00:20
m4tti said:
Matt,
Let me know how you get on with the carpet removal and replacement using the lake well kit. I've decided to have an upholsterer replicate my carpets once I remove them. But haven't committed yet, still need to remove the carpet.
No worries Let me know how you get on with the carpet removal and replacement using the lake well kit. I've decided to have an upholsterer replicate my carpets once I remove them. But haven't committed yet, still need to remove the carpet.
Edited by m4tti on Thursday 31st December 00:10
It looks very comprehensive but will take photos and post up.
I did my wedge years back but there wasn't a kit available so that was a long process! I'll post it up though
ShiDevil said:
Great post and looks lovely. Great attention to detail on the car. Bet you can't wait for the summer to come, clean roads and a brand new car!
Just be careful doing the interior after the respray....I would have probably done it first on the basis that you could knock or rub against the paint in taking the interior out e.g. doors etc. I spoke to a few places and they said this happened a few times in the factory and they had to refinish many cars around the door area as the seats in particular had hit the paintwork. So think about lots of padding as you take them out.
Thanks! Really very excited about getting it ready for summer sun!Just be careful doing the interior after the respray....I would have probably done it first on the basis that you could knock or rub against the paint in taking the interior out e.g. doors etc. I spoke to a few places and they said this happened a few times in the factory and they had to refinish many cars around the door area as the seats in particular had hit the paintwork. So think about lots of padding as you take them out.
I wasn't planning on doing the carpets straight away but changed my mind a few weeks back. I will have to be careful as I will be fuming if I damage it!
I did thre carpets on my wedge years back and remember climbing all over it to do the job!
Typical me...I only planned to repair the footwell...two hours later I was staring at this!
So whilst the Tuscan is in the body shop (should only be a couple more weeks till its back...) I've had the door cards recovered.
That flock stuff is a ruddy nightmare to clean and was wearing off at the edges so I've had them covered in vinyl. Also a nice blue stitch along the curve edge to give some detail, in light blue stitch to match the seats stitch
Before
After
That flock stuff is a ruddy nightmare to clean and was wearing off at the edges so I've had them covered in vinyl. Also a nice blue stitch along the curve edge to give some detail, in light blue stitch to match the seats stitch
Before
After
Edited by matt-man on Saturday 9th January 22:27
Edited by matt-man on Saturday 9th January 22:28
Quick update, the Tuscan is very close to being finished and it's looking fantastic. The attention to detail the bodyshop are putting into the car is very impressive and once it's finished I expect to shout their praises from the rooftops...
Last week when I saw it the only thing left was full flat back polish.
Decided to have the front splitter finished in body colour which I think looks fantastic! It's also got 3m paint film on it for protection. Not having the front done in 3m but have had any part that used to rub taken back to give more clearance and then 3m tape put in these places. These are where the targa panel meets the panel, where the bonnet shuts all round and will be along edge of the wheel arches.
Had the wheels refurbished too. They were OK(no kerbing) but obviously done by a dealerv0 at some point on the cheap as they had a crappy finish and not nice on the inside of the rim. They are in a very shiny silver which aren't too over the top but really "pop" in the light
Pic update
Looking forward to posting up some finished photos!
Last week when I saw it the only thing left was full flat back polish.
Decided to have the front splitter finished in body colour which I think looks fantastic! It's also got 3m paint film on it for protection. Not having the front done in 3m but have had any part that used to rub taken back to give more clearance and then 3m tape put in these places. These are where the targa panel meets the panel, where the bonnet shuts all round and will be along edge of the wheel arches.
Had the wheels refurbished too. They were OK(no kerbing) but obviously done by a dealerv0 at some point on the cheap as they had a crappy finish and not nice on the inside of the rim. They are in a very shiny silver which aren't too over the top but really "pop" in the light
Pic update
Looking forward to posting up some finished photos!
I am delighted to say that I finally picked up the Tuscan tonight after work!
Only got a small amount of time to see it in natural light but it looks absolutely stonking!
Couple of pics now she's home in the garage... Before going off to have exhausts fixed tomorrow.
I will take some proper photos at the weekend but I am very happy to say I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the body shop.
I said I would wait until it was finished before I said who it was just in case it didn't come out as planned!
Millfield Automotive
http://www.millfieldautomotive.co.uk
Two guys there, mark and Paul, are really nice guys. If anyone wants to see my car they are more than welcome as a testament to their work.
Bring on summer!!
Only got a small amount of time to see it in natural light but it looks absolutely stonking!
Couple of pics now she's home in the garage... Before going off to have exhausts fixed tomorrow.
I will take some proper photos at the weekend but I am very happy to say I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the body shop.
I said I would wait until it was finished before I said who it was just in case it didn't come out as planned!
Millfield Automotive
http://www.millfieldautomotive.co.uk
Two guys there, mark and Paul, are really nice guys. If anyone wants to see my car they are more than welcome as a testament to their work.
Bring on summer!!
Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff