I just bought this 1960 rambler cross country from the original family. I was thinking of painting it but I feel like the original paint along with some scrapes and bruises preserves the cars history. I like a fresh paint job but I also like a survivor. What do you guys think?
Might depend on what your plans are for the car. If you want to put it together and drive it around, then leave the paint as is. If you want to take it the rest of the way apart for paint, and never drive it, then go for it! I kinda like driving them, so I gave up on paint jobs. to each his own
It looks ok. At least rub it good with some Maguires 3 and make it shine. Maybe even some cursory touch up here n there. Show it some love, but too nice for a complete refinish from what I can see.
At this point there are more "patina" ramblers on the road than actually painted. I'd say throw a cheap paint job on it
Spend $30.00 on compound / glaze, Buff it and go...... No surprises with that vs tape marks on trim painting it etc..... When I see a "cheap" paint job just doesn't do me. I like patina and the cost of paint / time/ tape and masking off marks on trim etc, you won't see that money returned anyway. My opinion.
Paint is great, but it costs a lot of money and will put your car in limbo for at least one year. Rub it out, get it running and drive it!
Touch-up and cut and polish. First time i,ve actually noticed the cool little vent window in the rear doors and i had never noticed the split front bumpers before, also cool.
Clean and polish; if you're good at it, blow in some color on some of the blemishes. Don't worry about paint, just do the mechanicals and start driving it!
I thought this was going to be another debate over the two. Looks like a pretty nice car as-is. Coming from someone else with a nice original paint car, I wouldn’t paint that. Just clean up and buff as mentioned. You will be fun and money ahead.
I’d drive it just like it is Cleaned up the fender and qtr on the wagon. Polish up that rambler and cruise it with a big ole cheesy grin
My first car was a '60 Rambler 4 door.Six cylinder with push button automatic. Cost me $167.00 in 1968.Great drive-in car cause the back of the front seat folds down to the back seat!Leave yours as is!
I'm with the others saying buff/polish and wax, touch up spots especially if there's bare metal. The paint on that car is plenty serviceable yet.
Based on that one pic it appears it will clean up very very well. My opinion is nothing beats an original car. However if you don't like the color change it.
By the way I just saw on your profile you are 16 and joined today. Welcome! You will learn tons on this site.
Do you have Auto Shop class in High School ? Maybe use as your school project - for putting a motor in the wagon or buff out the paint etc. Good luck and plenty of fellas here to help with advise. Some may differ but a few different opinions may help with a direction.
A friend of mine...well more of an associate really, he used Pappy's Patina on a rig last year. It still looks good and it is outside always. Not my cup of Bourbon but it worked for him.
My welding teacher just started an intro to mechanics class of sorts. It's mostly maintenance and such but it's better than nothing. He said I could bring it in their once it's moving under its own power. I'm glad to be here and opinions are always good to hear.
Rub and run. Get it running and have fun. Nice paint is overrated. Not worrying about little scratches and dings is great.
Fix, clean, drive, enjoy. Repeat as necessary. Don't let it go to "paint jail" (when you give it to someone to paint, they will keep holding their hand out for more time and money, then they go broke, you have to get the cops involved, blah blah blah.) .
I've never been liking craped out paint or rust n dents on any thing,but for some old sign. Bad paint,to me is not history,but dose show bad up keep{ lazy owner ] That's how I grew up,if it needs fixing,do it.
Hey @Roadside247 Welcome to the H.A.M.B. UNIVERSE from Dennis in Seattle. By the way kid, ya did good, and you have found a place, where there is a lot of unique talented people, young and old, that can be helpful when it comes to experience, in the realm of cool old cars and trucks. That A.M.C. Rambler wagon you have, has a lot of cool potential, good start indeed! By the way, here is a bit of inspiration for you, from the California Hot Rod Reunion down at "FAMOSO" Enjoy!
Well finally a true”that will buff out” vehicle! I see that as a survivor and not one of the “patina” crowd. The paint is a little thin in spots but honest. Clean the rusty area with some CLR ala Anthony Myrick and then wax to protect. You can even get into the engine bay as it sits! Where did the car come from, eastern Washington?
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