Another paint question

[jhowes]

Does anyone know the difference between the lacquer of old and the acrylic lacquer of today. In other words, what is acrylic???

[Mikeinnj]

This says it all, Mike

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacquer

[glenn in camino]

Some of my cars are painted with old nitrocellulose lacquer bodies and acrylic lacquer fenders. The acrylic lacquer fenders are checking but the old nitro bodies are ok after 40+ years. On my current restoration I'm planning to mix the color myself with paint from Tractor Supply Co. I've tried it on some of the large chassis parts and It looks really good. It comes with a hardner and the paint is only $30 per gallon plus the hardner if you want to use it. I'll use their hardner. My Model As are only outdoors a few hours per month on club tours.

[jhowes]

Thanks mike, that was way over my head but very informative. Still learning at near 80. Jack

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

This says it all, Mike

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacquer

Originally Posted by jhowes

Thanks mike, that was way over my head but very informative. Still learning at near 80. Jack

. Did anyone notice that article starts out with "This page has some issues!"

[Tinbasher]

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The basics of Lacquer is that the original Nitrocellulose lacquer was made from Cotton linters or fibres. From which a resin was taken from. Then along came Plastics (Acrylic) and this plastic was added to the lacquer to make it stand up better and not deteriorate as the original lacquer will do. Nitro Lacquer has a life span of 3 years. Acrylic Lacquer 3 to 5 years. Basecoat/Clearcoat 10 years or more. Modern technology. We've come along way. I hope this helps Jack.
The Old Tinbasher

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

To ask the question, when whomever states that Lacquer has a life span of 3 - 5 years, how does this compare to all of the 30's to 50's cars that still have their original Lacquer paint that looks great?

[Brother Hesekiel]

It doesn't. I have two cars painted with lacquer, my 1956 Porsche 356A and my 1962 Volvo PV544, both black, and both are still wearing their factory original paint, well, most of it. My 1995 Mercedes, in contrast, all of a sudden a couple of years ago, started to have clear coat issues that progressed so quickly that I had to have it repainted, which, if you do it "right," is a major job. I think I spent about 2 weeks just taking it apart and putting it back together.

I am a strongly apposed to base/clear until it is necessary. It is necessary on metallic paints, but not on solid colors. When single stage paint ages, it gets thinner, thinner, fades, fades more, gets thinner, and at some point primer shines through which, in my not so humble opinion, is as beautiful as the patina on Babe Ruth's baseball glove. When clear base/clear coat paint ages, the clear starts peeling, and the car looks like a burn victim. My 3 cents.

[Mikeinnj]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

. Did anyone notice that article starts out with "This page has some issues!"

Picky,Picky,Picky....My version as read on my Macintosh computer did not have any such statement.

[John S]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

To ask the question, when whomever states that Lacquer has a life span of 3 - 5 years, how does this compare to all of the 30's to 50's cars that still have their original Lacquer paint that looks great?

Good point.
The paint on this old Mustang is 30 years old and is still decent, but it is starting to check in a few places. It was painted under a carport by a retired body man in '84. He used Dupont acrylic lacquer with super combo primer/surfacer. About all there was in those days. Been stored under a carport or in a garage ever since. I took this picture last September.

[harleytoprock]

My paint supplier tells me that lacquer just isn't as good it was years ago. A single stage urethane can look just as good as lacquer and will be much more durable with long lasting qualities. Base coat/clear coat just isn't right for pre-metallic old vehicles.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by harleytoprock

My paint supplier tells me that lacquer just isn't as good it was years ago. A single stage urethane can look just as good as lacquer and will be much more durable with long lasting qualities. Base coat/clear coat just isn't right for pre-metallic old vehicles.

Your paint supplier said.....


In all seriousness, your paint supplier likely is only a sales person and not a chemical engineer. I have been discussing this exact subject with some of PPGs engineers, ...and their thoughts counter what your supplier's statement was. I agree with your comment about BC/CC isn't right however those with a 'trained eye' can spot the difference between SS and Lacquer, and when a vehicle is being restored with exacting standards to replicate the look when it was manufactured, there IS a difference. Maybe it is more about what someone is willing to accept???

[Tinbasher]

Sorry, We get weather up here. Glad to see the comments from Cal. and Texas. Think of us as North Dakota. Some input from that area would be good.

By the way did we answer the question about Lacquer for Jack. Looks like this one derailed!!

The Old Tinbasher. CANADA!!!!!!!!

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Tinbasher

Sorry, We get weather up here. Glad to see the comments from Cal. and Texas. Think of us as North Dakota. Some input from that area would be good.

By the way did we answer the question about Lacquer for Jack. Looks like this one derailed!!

The Old Tinbasher. CANADA!!!!!!!!

I think if the O/P read thru all of the content at the Wiki site that is referenced above by Mike, he will have a pretty good idea. Your explanation should have finalized it for him.