Master’s in Historical Paint and Finishes
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in historical paint and finishes: nitrocellulose, acrylics, lacquer, and period-correct correction and polishing. 12 modules covering the history of automotive finishes, diagnosis, materials analysis, surface preparation, period colour matching, traditional application, pinstriping, health and safety, restoration ethics and paint shop management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Historical Paint and Finishes — studying from Malta
Malta's rich heritage, including historic buildings, vintage vehicles and maritime craft, creates a niche for restoration and conservation work. Owners of classic cars, motorcycles and boats seek specialist workshops with knowledge of period engineering and materials. Restoration of historic architecture also requires engineers and technicians familiar with traditional construction methods and conservation rules. Opportunities tend to be found with specialist workshops, heritage organisations and private restorers.
Fees for Malta: €9,930 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Is there a recognised professional body in Malta for restoration and classic vehicle engineering?
Malta does not have a single state-regulated profession for classic vehicle restoration. Vehicle registration and roadworthiness are handled by Transport Malta. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition is determined by employers, clients or the relevant body, so check these before enrolling.
What work could restoration engineers find in Malta?
Malta has a niche market for classic vehicle restoration, mainly through independent workshops, specialist garages and private collectors. Work is often built on reputation and practical craftsmanship. Whether a private online qualification adds value is for individual clients and employers to judge, so it is best to consider it alongside your hands-on experience.
Can I study this part-time with a workshop job, and is funding possible?
Yes. The programmes are fully online, taught in English and suitable for study from home, without needing a student visa. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and each student has an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the historical evolution of automotive finishes.
Diagnose the condition and stratigraphy of existing finishes.
Analyse paint materials using instrumental techniques.
Prepare surfaces with methods suited to each period.
Reproduce period colours accurately.
Apply traditional paints and decorations.
Apply ethical and safety criteria in finish restoration.
Who it's for
- Classic vehicle paint restorers.
- Colorimetry technicians.
- Restoration workshop managers.
- Finish authenticity consultants.
- Pinstripers and signwriters.
- Technical judges at concours d'elegance events.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- FIVA Charter of Turin (principles for the use and restoration of historic vehicles)
- ISO 2409 (cross-cut adhesion test for paints)
- ISO 2808 (determination of paint film thickness)
- Directive 2004/42/EC (limits on VOC emissions from paints and refinishing products)
- ISO 2813 (measurement of gloss)
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) (registration and restriction of chemicals)
- Royal Decree 227/2006 (Spanish transposition of VOC limits for paints)
- FIVA Technical Code (technical classification of historic vehicles)
- X-Rite Color iMatch
- Adobe Photoshop
- Datacolor Match Pigment
- Agisoft Metashape
12 modules
1.1Carriage varnishes and lacquers1.2Oil-based and air-drying enamels1.3Nitrocellulose lacquers of the 1920s1.4Synthetic alkyd enamels1.5Thermoplastic and thermosetting acrylics1.6Basecoat/clearcoat and waterborne paints1.7Period colours and original colour charts1.8Application techniques by period1.9Documentary sources on finishes1.10Workshop: identification of layers in a historical sample
2.1Visual inspection and raking-light inspection2.2Film thickness measurement to ISO 28082.3Gloss measurement to ISO 28132.4Layer stratigraphy2.5Identification of repaints2.6Corrosion under paint2.7Defects: cracking, blistering, chalking2.8Photographic documentation2.9Deciding whether to conserve or restore2.10Practical: condition report on a body
3.1Optical microscopy of cross-sections3.2FTIR infrared spectroscopy3.3X-ray fluorescence3.4Colorimetry and the CIELAB colour space3.5Historical pigments and their toxicity3.6Lead and chromates in old paints3.7Minimally invasive sampling3.8Laboratories and scientific collaboration3.9Interpretation of results3.10Lab: colorimetric analysis of a sample
4.1Chemical and mechanical stripping4.2Soft-media blasting4.3Laser stripping4.4Rust treatment and conversion4.5Panel repair and lead loading4.6Fillers and primer-surfacers4.7Epoxy and etch primers4.8Surface contamination control4.9Adhesion testing to ISO 24094.10Workshop: preparation of a steel panel
5.1Formulation from samples5.2Spectrophotometry and colour matching5.3Metamerism and light sources5.4Historical colour databases5.5Equivalent modern pigments5.6Early metallic colours5.7Effect of ageing on colour5.8Test panels and approval5.9Formula records5.10Practical: matching a 1950s colour
6.1Application of nitrocellulose lacquers6.2Spray application of synthetic enamels6.3Period brush painting6.4Conventional and HVLP spray guns6.5Viscosity and thinning6.6Number of coats and flash-off times6.7Drying and spray booths6.8Sanding between coats6.9Polishing lacquers6.10Workshop: applying nitrocellulose lacquer to a wing
7.1Freehand pinstriping7.2Pinstriping brushes and paints7.3Signwriting on commercial vehicles7.4Gilding and gold leaf7.5Coachbuilder crests and decorations7.6Period decals and transfers7.7Stencils and faithful reproduction7.8Varnish protection7.9Documentation of decorations7.10Practical: pinstriping a door panel
8.1Wood varnishes on dashboards8.2Paint for wheels and spokes8.3Engine and engine bay finishes8.4Vitreous enamels and cloisonné on badges8.5Chassis paints8.6Instrument finishes8.7Waxes and protection8.8Material compatibility8.9Conservation of original interior finishes8.10Case study: finishing a concours engine bay
9.1Directive 2004/42/EC on volatile organic compounds9.2Royal Decree 227/20069.3REACH and chromate restrictions9.4Isocyanate exposure9.5Respiratory protective equipment9.6Spray booths and extraction9.7Paint waste management9.8Lead risks during stripping9.9Storage of flammable products9.10Workshop: risk assessment of a paint shop
10.1The FIVA Charter of Turin10.2Conservation versus restoration10.3Originality and authenticity of the finish10.4Historical repaints of value10.5Concours d'elegance judging criteria10.6Documentation of interventions10.7Reversibility and minimal intervention10.8Communication with owners10.9Controversial cases10.10Case study: decision on a deteriorated original finish
11.1Organisation of workflows11.2Estimates and labour-hour control11.3Purchasing and specialist suppliers11.4Final quality control11.5Lighting and defect inspection11.6Customer warranties11.7Training painters11.8Marketing the specialist workshop11.9Profitability indicators11.10Practical: paint estimate for a full restoration
12.1Selection of the vehicle or component12.2Historical research of the finish12.3Diagnosis and materials analysis12.4Intervention criteria12.5Preparation and application plan12.6Documented execution12.7Quality control and results12.8Conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is X-Rite Color iMatch, Adobe Photoshop, Datacolor Match Pigment and Agisoft Metashape, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for stratigraphy of historical paint layers, spectrophotometric matching of period colours and application of nitrocellulose lacquers on panels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIVA Charter of Turin, ISO 2409, ISO 2808, Directive 2004/42/EC, ISO 2813, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH), Royal Decree 227/2006, FIVA Technical Code.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with X-Rite Color iMatch, Adobe Photoshop, Datacolor Match Pigment and Agisoft Metashape, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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