Touch-up paint strategy

[Colin Talcroft <ctalcroft@domain.elided>]

Hi List

Let me apologize at the outset for being an ignoramus,
but in the hope of getting some advice of value I ask
the list for suggestions about how best to deal with
touching up the numerous paint chips missing from my
Chocolate Brown 1978 Spider. 

Months ago someone here kindly gave me the appropriate
paint numbers. I have made it to an automotive paint
store and they said they could mix the color, but I
would have to tell them how the paint was to be used
before they could actually produce it. They said "just
paint the whole thing".  Sounds like classic "easier
said than done."

To clarify. The body has two small rust patches that I
am not going to worry about because they are
inconspicuous. What bothers me is all the little chips
missing along that lovely ridge along the body line. I
have just finished rubbing out the finish a second
time and it has regained a surprising sparkle. Still,
it is not as rich a brown as the unfaded paint inside
the trunk, for example. 

Now for the question. Assuming I am not going to paint
the whole car, I'd like to touch up the chips. The new
paint will be too bright. How do you blend it back to
simulate the 24 years of sun the car got? Any
suggestions would be welcome. Also, should I get a
base color and a clear coat to go on top? should it be
enamel? acrylic? They can do all kinds of stuff in the
right color, but I have no idea what to ask them to
mix.

Thanks

Colin
1978 Chocolate Brown spider--87,000 miles
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