Kevin Tetz - Patina: How to Create and Preserve

CarTech

CarTech, Inc.

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Phone: 651-277-1200 or 800-551-4754

Fax: 651-277-1203

www.cartechbooks.com

2019 by Kevin Tetz

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission from the Publisher. All text, photographs, and artwork are the property of the Author unless otherwise noted or credited.

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All trademarks, trade names, model names and numbers, and other product designations referred to herein are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification purposes. This work is a publication of CarTech, Inc., and has not been licensed, approved, sponsored, or endorsed by any other person or entity. The Publisher is not associated with any product, service, or vendor mentioned in this book, and does not endorse the products or services of any vendor mentioned in this book.

Edit by Wes Eisenschenk

Layout by Monica Seiberlich

ISBN 978-1-61325-538-4

Item No. SA482

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Tetz, Kevin, 1963- author.

Title: Patina : how to create & preserve / Kevin Tetz.

Description: Forest Lake, MN : CarTech, [2019]

Identifiers: LCCN 2018043915 | ISBN 9781613254677

Subjects: LCSH: Automobiles--Painting. | Automobiles--Bodies--Maintenance and repair.

Classification: LCC TL255.2 .T425 2019 | DDC 629.2/60288--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018043915

Images used under license from .

Written, edited, and designed in the U.S.A.

Printed in China

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work is dedicated to my wife and partner, Judy. Everything is possible with you by my side.

Special thanks to:

Ron Covell, for your unwavering support and friendship.

Uncle Herb Pinske, for opening my ears to the story that old cars tell.

My mom, Lynn Herrington, who is my precious inspiration.

My big brother, Blaine Tetz, who taught me to never give up, never give in.

My father, Wes Tetz, for showing me that Ill never be unemployed if I know how to work.

Kevin Reynolds, for teaching me how to be a team player.

Howard and Sally Copeland, for their boundless love and support.

My industry friends and family Im so blessed and fortunate to have you on my side!

Another wonderful adventure is just around the corner!

1949 CHEVY 3100 HIGHLIGHT PROJECT

This 49 Chevrolet 3100 saw quite a transformation from the worn out original farm truck during the 7 episodes of TRUCKS! where we customized and restyled it. The suspension was lowered, engine and transmission rebuild and updated, headlights and taillights Frenched, the cab converted to a 5-window version, and a one-piece windshield installed. Missing now from my original version are the raw-copper grill, bumpers, and trim pieces, but the current owner has personalized it to his style and loves his version of this very cool truck. Its nice to see that several years later, and having changed hands several times the patina-paint is still serving the purpose of adding character to a classic truck.

CHAPTER 1

WHAT Is PATINA?

The word patina means many things to many people. In the classic car world, patina is the new buzzword used to describe original wear and unmolested aging on factory parts. During the past several years, an entire category of classic car, called the Survivor, has arisen as part of a preservation movement that carries the goal of saving the original and unrestored status of vehicles. The Survivor is now the high-water mark of automotive collectors, and finding and showcasing the original condition of a vehicle is much more important than restoring one to pristine condition.

Ive spoken with several experts in the collector car world, and many of them mentioned that not very long ago there were many vehicles that underwent a complete restoration when they were in good enough condition to be preserved as survivor vehicles. Because of the restorations, much of the history, heritage, and provenance of these vehicles has been lost when it wasnt really necessary. After all, patina is much more than the faded and dull bronze look of a Tiffany lamp base sitting in a museum. Patina, as it relates to the automotive hobby, is another word for realism, and it brings with it authenticity.

This early 1950s truck is all but reclaimed by nature, but it is a beautiful example of how nature will eventually take back its resources. Our job as artists and technicians is to slow the process of time as we restore cars and give tribute to mother nature by recreating the original appearance of patina.

Vintage instruments have long been collected and revered for their patina and condition. Its a recent trend in instruments, as well as classic cars, to style the finish on insignificant guitars and other instruments to appear as weathered and worn finishes. Interestingly, the Fender guitar company has a special division of guitars called their relicked line. Fender relicked guitars bring many thousands of dollars more in sales price than a top-of-the-line instrument with a premium finish, simply due to the perception that it is a vintage guitar. This is partially brought on by the skyrocketing prices of 1950s and 1960s vintage instruments in original condition. This guitar was relicked by a DIY user, and it serves his purposes nicely as a well-worn guitar that seems to tell a story