Early 911 Trunk Cover Paint Recommendation

[B_El]

My '71 cardboard trunk cover needs a crack repair and a black re-paint. Any recommendations on what paint to use?
Thanks!

[EC900]

I tried to paint mine due to damage and discoloration from brake fluid and age.
Sprayed rattle can satin black lacquer and it cam out blotchy figuring the quick dry lacquer would not absorb like oil based enamels.
Took some prep, carefully clean and sand then used flat black primer. Resprayed with satin black lacquer topcoat rather than a slow dry oil based Rustoleum. Came out decent considering it’s just thick cardboard.
You need to address the crack, maybe some epoxy or fiberglass mesh on the back side, skim a little epoxy on the front and feather it out.
Personally I’d like to try and steam form and curve a piece of tiger curly maple veneer plywood, stain and clear coat to a furniture finish to replace that wavy cardboard shield.

[B_El]

Great comments. Thanks!

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

Originally Posted by EC900

Personally I’d like to try and steam form and curve a piece of tiger curly maple veneer plywood, stain and clear coat to a furniture finish to replace that wavy cardboard shield.

In the right car that could look very cool.

[Uwon]

How about gluing thick vinyl and wrap it around the edges.
Johan

[B_El]

Originally Posted by EC900

I tried to paint mine due to damage and discoloration from brake fluid and age.
Sprayed rattle can satin black lacquer and it cam out blotchy figuring the quick dry lacquer would not absorb like oil based enamels.
Took some prep, carefully clean and sand then used flat black primer. Resprayed with satin black lacquer topcoat rather than a slow dry oil based Rustoleum. Came out decent considering it’s just thick cardboard.
You need to address the crack, maybe some epoxy or fiberglass mesh on the back side, skim a little epoxy on the front and feather it out.
Personally I’d like to try and steam form and curve a piece of tiger curly maple veneer plywood, stain and clear coat to a furniture finish to replace that wavy cardboard shield.

Just to clarify, your flat black primer was enamel? (I haven't painted anything in awhile so consider myself a newbie.) Thanks!

[EC900]

Yes B_EI, use an enamel (oil based) flat black rattle can.

Avoid a heavy primer coat, just a mist or flash spray to seal the cardboard and the.edges (where it will absorb to most) to seal whatever that old factory finish is, scuff very, very lightly maybe a 400 grit. You can prime this 2-3 times for a uniform surface - and it’s important to allow coats to completely overnight dry each time, watch for any blotches where paint was absorbed and spot prime those areas again if needed.
Reminder- You can use lacquer over enamel base but not enamel over lacquer base coat,
Why I used lacquer - simply for the ease of application, no runs and fast drying time for subsequent coats (2-3).
But enamel top coat would work too, but you have to remember that too heavy paint could run, chip or crack. Lacquer goes on thinner, kind of corrects and evens itself, but may need more light coats.
The basic problem is that shield is just thick paper and edges being most fragile and flexible.
Good luck, post Before and After photos !

[PeteKz]

Same as EC900 said, but I used satin black, which seemed to be a better match to the original finish.