..................... I just hate that I busted my ass trying this, the results for me thus far have been way better than I would have thought, and you are saying it is a waste of effort and almost denying that I could possibly have good results. I worked my ass off on this, and I am quite proud of my effort and my results.
"Allmost" denying it can be done?, yes, in part I am by the "average person" that has very little to no experience working w/ paints, especially oil based.
I've painted w/ auto paints as well as oil based on vehicles. The only time I used a roller and brush was on an old Chevy pickup that got a new coat every year and another plate welded to the rusted frame to keep it going. I'd spend a few hours the next day adding tri color stripes and yea mine looked great to from 20' but it wasn't a CLASSIC of any value.
I just went thru your entire website, the main thing that I take issue w/ is your comment that "I think it looks as good as any paint job I have seen at the local car shows", now come on, that is an insult to any proffesional painter that does custom paint jobs for a living. If your talking about do it yourselfers then I might agree w/ that.
I saw that you put in a lot of effort that it takes to do it right, the wet sanding, buffing etc..., and believe me I can appreciate that as I've done it myself. Now you know why a shop wants good money to paint a car. I do agree w/ your thinking that most shops are insane though, charging 3K for a single stage paint job that is prep, primer and paint only, w/ no body work to be done.
I'm not knocking the job you did, if you feel that way my humble apology (seriously) , no, I was just saying oil base shouldn't go on a classic unless it's close to junk, your car didn't look as bad as you make it sound (at least from the pics).
I would only recommend as well using a spray gun w/ compressor if someone did want to try the oil base. There may ba an additive that will help hold the shine longer but I'm not aware of any. Like I said, leaded gas was used in the old days.
I generally use a method like you did, paint one area of the car the finish the second half incase of unforseen problems that can arise.
Everyday I see how oil base looses it's gloss. My neighbor bought a van I painted w/ it 2 years ago. If it's kept up if might hold longer.
At least you now have an appreciation for the amount of work that goes into paint, I think you did a good job on your car from the pics but I know working w/ oil base is a SOB and I don't think most guys trying it will have your results. Painting and preping a car for any paint is a pain in the a.. Don't think I was insulting your work, not the case, I didn't sign up here to insult anybody.
I'm posted a pic of my Silverado I painted this spring using black urethane auto paint, cost of paint was $160.oo, truck hasn't been wet sanded or buffed yet but shine is good and will hold. Think your back hurt, try moulding in an L88 hood scoop along w/ the other prep. Anyway, good job you did, you got it from the effort it takes.
(pic won't upload)