Reply by WayneC

Original Planes have japanning instead of paint. There are processes for doing this. I belive it involves baking the finish. I have seen recommendations for automotive paints for this purpose.

Personally, I leave my planes original and do not repaint. I use schellac on the body of the plane where the plane is japanned to protect it from rust.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov