Paint Preservation & Color-Matching Expertise for GPW Restoration

[ViewfinderGyrene]

 

Good afternoon all,

 

I will soon begin my most ambitious historic preservation project to-date.  Through a close friend, I was able to obtain a remarkable '43 GPW.  It had exactly one owner from 1947-2017, a sailor who purchased it shortly after being discharged from Pacific service.  We have the original pink slip; the block and frame have never been separated.  At the time he bought it, it had been painted over the light Navy grey we are all used to seeing.  He subsequently repainted it what is now a terribly ugly, sun-faded teal civilian shade.

 

What lies beneath both those layers is truly remarkable.  The vehicle retains a 5th Marine Division UNIS marking on the rear bumperette, and the original beach camouflage scheme has become visible over the years, primarily on the hood.  A fully legible nickname has also been uncovered on the side of the hood.  An M48 mount for the 1919 Browning was once on the dash, and an RL-31 rig used by Field Linemen was affixed to the rear to run comm wire. 

 

My question is two-part regarding the numerous paint layers on this incredibly well-preserved GPW:

 

1-I would be grateful to hear opinions on the best way to reveal that original layer showing the field camo? Consensus on G503 was either super-fine wet sanding OR a lengthy, tedious peel job.  Whatever it takes, I have several friends eager to help work on it.

 

2-There will be spots on the frame where the paint has worn away almost completely.  I am curious if anyone [possibly members who have been involved in prepping vehicles for the film industry] have insight on color matching AND applying paint in a way that most accurately matches the original patina already present, to "fill in the gaps" basically...

 

I will post pics soon.

 

Many thanks!

 

~VFG

[CAC1901]

Patience and time are invaluable on a project like this, where the modern has to be peeled off to reveal the historical surface. I would think a general search online will turn up others who have tackled this sort of job. In any case - it will be well worth it.