Radberry vs. Rockstar

12.1.2008
Part of getting this project going is deciding on what color of coat Hulda will eventually wear.  While we are many steps removed from applying the color base, we do need to move forward with some primer coats to seal the bare metal patch panels and begin the body work.  The color of primer affects your later top coat (gray for lighter colors, black for darker ones)... so we need some direction here.  Julia was brought in to consult on color as she will be the eventual driver.

Here are some color samples used by Volkswagen on the Super Beetle in 1971.  Originally, Hulda was Marina Blue (and her front clip added later, Canary Yellow), and then later she was sprayed a variation of Clementine. 

I'll be using a paint product made by Auto Air Colors, which enables me to paint in my garage since it is a water borne product (no smell, less toxic, cleans up with soap and water).  

I have had success with these products on both an old motorcycle and a VW Golf my son, Stephen drives (before and after).  

We viewed the Auto Air Color palate and decided to keep it in the red family (partly because that was the color we found her wearing)... but the question remained, Auto Air Radberry or Rockstar red?  The guys down at LDI on Center St. in Tacoma have helped me a ton. Big thanks go to Ben and Jay for coaching me through the steps.  Here they are with one of the samples:

We decided to try a 4 oz. sample and see what it looked like on the spare tire.  There often is a big difference between a sample on a printed page, and a 3-D object.  Auto Air colors can also really "pop" when you get them in the sunlight. After taping the tire (no, its not a blue-wall) we laid down the white sealer, which acts like a primer, and tried five coats of Radberry.

While the Radberry was striking, it seemed a bit muddy for our liking.  For comparison, we taped half of the spare and this time tried Rockstar Red (has some gold flake in it).  

Julia is pointing to her favorite of the two, so it looks like Hulda will roaring down the road in Rockstar Red... watch out!