What is proper exterior paint?

[rzcrisis]

Wondering what others are using for proper paint for restoration of car exterior? Is the use of the "old style" acrylic enamel still in use or is everyone doing base coat/clear coat these days?

Thanks for your input.
Randy

[abaucom21]

New to forum, just trying to find my way around this site. Just a T-Bird fan but not current owner.
Have many friends with collections of restored autos. Suggest current base coat-clear coat paint. Must understand environmental issues have changed over the years & chemical mix of paints have changed. You can match any period auto color with current water base paint/clear coat with environmentally friendly paints. Issues with clear coat paint finish might have more gloss than factory orginal. Newer water based paints tend to (rock) chip easier so suggest min. three coats of clear over base color. If you want that perfect paint job suggest wet sanding base color coat before first clear coat, followed by wet sanding after final clear coat. Reason is to wet sand out any imperfections in base color paint before clear is applied. Then wet sand and polish clear coat for mirror glass finish.