Preserving Classic Cars with Precision: The Role of SciAps XRF and LIBS Analyzers

Restoring classic cars is more than just a job at Paul Russell and Company—it’s an art form. As the caretakers of automotive history, their team is dedicated to bringing timeless European collectibles back to life, ensuring every detail is true to the original specifications. But in a field where precision is everything, how do they verify the exact metals used in these legendary vehicles? That’s where SciAps XRF and LIBS analyzers come in.

Science Meets Restoration

Paul Russell and Company specializes in the restoration, preservation, and maintenance of classic European automobiles, including Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti, and Mercedes-Benz. Each vehicle is a rolling piece of history, and every restoration demands the highest level of accuracy to maintain authenticity.

Recently, SciAps Sales Manager Rick Rainville collaborated with Evan Weymouth and Kyle Bannon, Metal Restoration Technicians at Paul Russell and Company, as they worked to restore two classic cars to their original specifications. To achieve this, they needed to determine the precise metal composition of the chassis and internal structures. Using SciAps’ XRF and LIBS analyzers, they were able to identify the exact alloys, ensuring that every repair and replacement adhered to the vehicle’s historical integrity.

Uncovering Hidden Discrepancies

During their analysis, Evan and Kyle made an unexpected discovery. They initially believed a section of the body skin was composed of 6061 aluminum. However, SciAps analyzers revealed that it was actually a 1000-series alloy. This discrepancy indicated that portions of the body skin had been remade at some point. Identifying these hidden modifications is crucial, as the choice of alloy impacts the car’s mechanical properties, structural integrity, and corrosion resistance. Thanks to the analyzers, Evan and Kyle were able to source the correct 1100 aluminum and remake the parts to match the car’s original design.

“Using the analyzers is invaluable,” says Evan. “Put a price on it—how much does it cost to restore a car without the right information, then realize you were wrong and have to fix it? The SciAps analyzers save us thousands and thousands of dollars. But to me, it’s more about doing right by the car. It’s a historic artifact that we’re preserving.”

A New Standard in Classic Car Restoration

Before using SciAps, the Paul Russell and Company team relied on experience and visual inspection to detect differences in metals. While their expertise often pointed them in the right direction, inconsistencies in readings from previous analyzers left them with unanswered questions.

Kyle explains, “This has been a big advantage for us in what we do. The SciAps analyzer is a much more effective tool than others we’ve tried. It’s pretty intuitive—you can tell when you see the results. It just makes sense.”

Evan adds, “We spent days analyzing data from a previous analyzer, and it was confusing. When we met Rick, he explained that the other device couldn’t measure Light Elements, and that was the missing piece.”

Precision That Stands the Test of Time

Every restoration at Paul Russell and Company is approached with the same meticulous care as preserving a priceless work of art. SciAps analyzers provide the data needed to make informed decisions, ensuring that every piece of metal, every weld, and every panel meets original specifications.

“We love SciAps analyzers,” says Kyle. “We’ve tried several others, and this is the only one that gives us repeatable, consistent, usable data that helps us decide what to do next. It allows us to meet the strict guidelines of our industry and gives us peace of mind.”

For Evan and Kyle, SciAps has become an essential tool in their mission to restore automotive history with unmatched accuracy. Whether verifying an original panel or identifying a past repair, the ability to scientifically analyze metal composition ensures these classic cars are preserved for generations to come.

As Paul Russell himself once said, “A car has to work well, not just be pretty to look at.” Thanks to SciAps, Paul Russell and Company continues to uphold that philosophy, combining craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to bring classic cars back to life—one precise metal analysis at a time.

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Watch these videos of the analyzers in action:

SciAps analyzers invaluable tool for Paul Russell & Co

SciAps Analyzers find discrepancies on classic car restoration