Painting an Amberola VI

[rizbone]

Can anyone recommend a method for restoring an Amberola VI. It has already been sprayed with red krylon, so I am looking for a good match to the original maroon paint. Is there a good automobile paint match?

[JohnM]

According to restorer Wyatt Markus, 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit LS 'Mahogany Red' is a nearly perfect match. These machines were originally coated with a red-tinted shellac. Paint is superior to shellac for durability, but it wouldn't constitute a museum-quality restoration, just sayin'.

[rizbone]

Well ... I wouldn't be opposed to a museum quality restoration if anyone has documentation, and if the materials are available. right now it looks like it rusted a little, someone went to Home Depot and bought dark red krylon and some Testors gold model paint and went to town with a fat brush. I'm not really in a hurry and would like to do it correctly.

[JohnM]

I've never done a shellac restoration myself, but I'm aware of three restorers that do -- David Teti in Connecticut, Steve Farmer in Oregon, and Paul Baker in New York. There may be others of whom I am not aware.