What Makes PaintNuts Classic Car Paint Different
Three things make classic car paint harder to get right:
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Registration lookups don't work. Most classics aren't in DVLA databases, so you need the physical paint code from the car
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Classic formulas are different. A 1965 Jaguar or 1972 Mini colour isn't just a shade match. The original formula has different pigments, metallic content, and chemistry from modern paint
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Many classic colours are discontinued and don't appear in standard databases at all
PaintNuts maintains a library of over 80,000 formulas including an extensive range of classic and discontinued colours, mixed to order using precision mixing technology. Every order is backed by our colour match guarantee: if the paint doesn't match because of our mixing, we'll replace it free of charge.
Find your classic car paint using our lookup tool, or contact us if your colour needs manual research.
What is Cellulose Paint? And Do You Need It for Your Classic?
Cellulose paint was the dominant automotive finish from the 1920s through to the 1960s. It uses nitrocellulose as its binder, dries quickly through solvent evaporation, produces a soft finish that polishes beautifully, and was standard on most British cars built before 1970.
From the late 1960s, manufacturers moved to synthetic enamel and then two-stage basecoat/clearcoat systems. By the 1980s, cellulose was effectively obsolete for new car production.
Do you need cellulose to repair your classic?
For touch-up repairs on chips, scratches, and small scuffs, the answer is no. Modern synthetic paint can be applied over original cellulose finishes for spot repairs without compatibility problems. The repair area is small enough that the interface between old and new paint isn't an issue.
For a full panel respray over original cellulose, it's more complex. Applying modern paint directly over old cellulose without preparation can cause adhesion problems over time. If you're planning full panel work, speak to our team before ordering.
Cellulose is still available in the UK but it's increasingly hard to source, requires specialist handling and professional ventilation to apply safely, and is not practical for DIY use.
PaintNuts mixes colour-matched paint in a modern synthetic formulation that works for touch-up repairs on any classic car regardless of the original finish. Browse our classic car paint range or contact us.
Classic Car Paint Eras: A Quick Reference Guide
Understanding what paint system was used on your classic determines how it has aged. Here is a plain guide by decade.
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Era
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Paint system
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For touch-up repairs
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What to expect
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1920s - 1940s
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Nitrocellulose
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Modern synthetic over the top
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Very old, likely resprayed, colour shifted significantly
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1950s
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Cellulose or early alkyd enamel
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Modern synthetic over the top
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Solid colours only, expect fading
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1960s
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Synthetic enamel, single-stage
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Colour coat only, no lacquer needed
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Two-tone schemes common early in decade
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Early 1970s
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Synthetic enamel, single-stage
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Colour coat only for solids
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Metallics beginning to appear
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Late 1970s
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Two-stage for metallics
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Colour then lacquer for metallics
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Check whether metallic before choosing approach
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1980s onwards
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Two-stage standard for metallics
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Colour then lacquer for all metallics
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Pearls and micas appear late in decade
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If you are unsure what era your car falls into or which approach your repair needs, our damage assessment tool will help. For any metallic or pearl finish, always apply a lacquer coat after the colour coat.
Classic Car Paint Repair vs Respray: Which Do You Need?
Touch-up paint is right for:
For all of these, a colour-matched touch-up pen or bottle gives a practical repair at a fraction of bodyshop cost. Applied correctly with a lacquer coat on metallic finishes, it protects the car from further damage and improves appearance significantly.
The cost difference
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Repair type
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Classic car bodyshop
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PaintNuts DIY
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Stone chip or small scratch
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£60 to £200
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From £13.99 (pen)
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Single panel respray
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£400 to £800+
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£40 to £50 (aerosol kit)
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Full car respray (specialist)
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£3,000 to £10,000+
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Not practical as DIY to this standard
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Touch-up paint won't be invisible at close range if you are looking for it. What it does well is protect the car, maintain appearance at normal viewing distances, and do it for a fraction of professional rates. For most classic car owners, touch-up handles everything except the most extensive paint failure.
Browse the PaintNuts classic car paint range to find the right product. Use the damage assessment tool if you are not sure which format suits your repair.
