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Polishing and Correction of Vintage Lacquer Course

Online course of 300 h in polishing and correction of vintage lacquer. 6 modules covering ISO 2813 (determination of gloss), ISO 4628 (evaluation of coating degradation) and X-Rite Color iQC. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Identify historic lacquers and paints and how they behave.

02

Diagnose surface defects and measure the available thickness.

03

Apply controlled sanding and levelling.

04

Carry out mechanical polishing without compromising the original layer.

05

Retouch and protect the corrected surface.

06

Verify results through gloss and colour.

07

Complete a full vintage paint correction project.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Paint correction specialist who wants to specialise in Polishing and Correction of Vintage Lacquer.
  • Classic vehicle painter who wants to specialise in Polishing and Correction of Vintage Lacquer.
  • Collector vehicle detailer who wants to specialise in Polishing and Correction of Vintage Lacquer.
  • Classic vehicle restorer who wants to specialise in Polishing and Correction of Vintage Lacquer.
  • Concours d'Elegance preparer who wants to specialise in Polishing and Correction of Vintage Lacquer.
  • Finish quality control technician who wants to specialise in Polishing and Correction of Vintage Lacquer.
  • Engineering or science graduates who want to enter detailing workshops.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 2813 (determination of gloss)
  • ISO 4628 (evaluation of coating degradation)
  • ISO 2808 (film thickness)
  • ISO 1518 (scratch resistance)
  • ISO 11664-4 (CIELAB colorimetry)
  • FIVA Turin Charter
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Nitrocellulose lacquers: composition and ageing
  2. 1.2Alkyd synthetic enamels
  3. 1.3Thermoplastic acrylic lacquers
  4. 1.4Differences from modern two-layer systems
  5. 1.5Oxidation, chalking and crazing
  6. 1.6Identification by solvent and appearance
  7. 1.7Thickness measurement on old layers
  8. 1.8Detection of previous repaints
  9. 1.9Value of the original paint
  10. 1.10Practice: identifying the type of lacquer
  1. 2.1Scratches, holograms and sanding marks
  2. 2.2Orange peel and sags
  3. 2.3Water spots and acid etching
  4. 2.4UV fading
  5. 2.5Micro-cracks and crazing
  6. 2.6Inspection lighting and raking light
  7. 2.7Gloss meters and thickness gauges
  8. 2.8Defect map per panel
  9. 2.9Safe correction limits
  10. 2.10Workshop: defect inventory of a bonnet
  1. 3.1Wet sanding by hand
  2. 3.2Abrasive grits and progression
  3. 3.3Rigid and flexible sanding blocks
  4. 3.4Removing runs with a blade
  5. 3.5Levelling orange peel
  6. 3.6Controlling the thickness removed
  7. 3.7Risk areas: edges and rims
  8. 3.8Sanding soft lacquers
  9. 3.9Cleaning and checks between steps
  10. 3.10Practice: levelling a test panel
  1. 4.1Rotary and dual-action polishers
  2. 4.2Wool, foam and microfibre pads
  3. 4.3Cutting and finishing compounds
  4. 4.4Temperature and burn risk
  5. 4.5Polishing sensitive nitro lacquers
  6. 4.6Removing holograms
  7. 4.7Final finishing and touch-up
  8. 4.8Hand polishing small parts
  9. 4.9Protecting chrome and adjacent rubber
  10. 4.10Laboratory: comparison of pads and compounds
  1. 5.1Brush touch-up with matching lacquer
  2. 5.2Colour matching on aged panels
  3. 5.3Blending local repairs
  4. 5.4Natural carnauba waxes
  5. 5.5Sealants and ceramic coatings
  6. 5.6Compatibility with period paints
  7. 5.7Washing and drying without marks
  8. 5.8Preventive maintenance of gloss
  9. 5.9Preparation for concours d'elegance
  10. 5.10Case study: correction of an original bodywork
  1. 6.1Vehicle selection and documentation
  2. 6.2Initial thickness measurement
  3. 6.3Test area trial
  4. 6.4Panel-by-panel correction plan
  5. 6.5Sanding and polishing
  6. 6.6Local touch-ups
  7. 6.7Final protection
  8. 6.8Before and after comparison
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is X-Rite Color iQC, Standowin iQ (colour formulation), advanced Excel (measurement logging), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for measuring thickness before and after polishing, mechanical polishing of test panels, and gloss and haze control. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:teaching staff with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle selection and documentation

Identify historic lacquers and paints and how they behave.

Initial thickness measurement

Diagnose surface defects and measure the available thickness.

Test area trial

Apply controlled sanding and levelling.

Panel-by-panel correction plan

Carry out mechanical polishing without compromising the original layer.

Sanding and polishing

Retouch and protect the corrected surface.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Paint correction specialistClassic vehicle painterCollector vehicle detailerClassic vehicle restorerConcours d'Elegance preparerFinish quality control technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You work with X-Rite Color iQC, Standowin iQ (colour formulation) and advanced Excel (measurement logging). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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