Pinto Car Club of America

Hello Group:

I will be getting my 1977 Pinto Cruise Wagon restored when I decide on a shop.  However,
I need some input on the decals.  The original blue colors on the panels and lower parts of
the car are decals.  When I have it restored should I have new decals made or have the
blue colors painted?  Paint will last longer and not fade like decals.  However, will this make
any difference at car shows?

Thanks for the help!

77pintocw

Paint! Definitely Paint!
Put those colors under the clear for a COOL custom effect!
From Pintony
P.S. Your Pinto is not stock paint anymore so make your Paint stand out beyond all others!!!!

I know I am not an expert but I would say I would go with decals then spray a coat of clear over them to avoid the edges coming up.  I am not sure if it would do any good over time but it would be real shiny at the beginning.

Clear over decals will not work. The decals will start getting a checkerboard glaze almost from the time the paint drys.

My 2 cents worth:

Being a custom painter for VanMasters in central Ohio for many years in the eighties, take it from me: clearing over decals that large will not work.  You may get away with clearcoating pin stripes, as I have for years, but that large a decal, no way.  Paint them on while you are painting the car, than clear coat and wetsand.  Done properly, you will not even feel the edge where you added the painted graphics.  Thats how I am going to restore my 77 cw, it has (had) the same graphics package as yours.

Good luck!

UFOSteVieZ
'Old Pinto's never die, they just return to the wild from whence they came....'

Hey Gang:

Thanks for the input, it has been very useful.

77pintocw

Yes, all good advice