Paint Question….

[Conaway2]

I recently bought a quart of acrylic enamel paint and medium reducer for the running board aprons. I haven’t sprayed acrylic enamel for 35 years, so figured that enamel paints have changed a bit since then.

When I began to read the label on the can closely, I’m now wondering requires a hardener (which the paint shop clerk didn’t mention), which means it will give off isocyanates as it cures. The label says it’s a 2K paint…..

A call this afternoon to the paint store wasn’t too helpful.

What kind of paint do I have ??

Many thanks,
Jim

[wrndln]

I have sprayed single stage acrylic urethane PPG Concept many times. I haven't used the paint in the picture, but I suspect it requires a catalyst (hardener) like Concept does and probably a reducer that is temperature dependent. There are spec sheets for paints like you have (and Concept). The spec sheets will have the ratios of paint, catalyst and probably a reducer. Follow the direction to the T or you many have a problem. You can usually find the spec sheets by doing a search on the internet.
Good luck in you painting.
Rusty Nelson

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Any 2K paint will require a Hardener and a solvent to thin it to a sprayable mix. Yes, Isos are involved, so suit-up, wear a mask, and have proper ventilation when you spray it.

[nkaminar]

The paint can be absorbed by your eyes so the best protection is a hood with a filtered positive air supply. The air supply can come from a ways away from where your are spraying or from a filtered system attached to you. Search online. There are very expensive setups, $2,000, or some in the hundreds of dollars range. For a hobbyist, the less expensive systems are probably OK. For a professional, buy the best. It's you health. It's your decision.

[jb-ob]

'Single Stage' implies that a top coat of clear is not required.

Acrylic Enamel can be sprayed with or without using a catalyst (hardener). Use a catalyst with the enamel when you are paining fenders etc. which you wish to wet sand & polish. In this case the catalyst quickens the enamels cure time and greatly increases it's overall durability.

Enamel sprayed without using a catalyst has a much longer cure time. Ideal for chassis brackets etc.

Your counter man's lack of help (knowledge) probably because acrylic enamel is almost obsolete, being replaced by urethanes.

Find mixing instruction on line and you'll be fine.

[Conaway2]

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Many thanks to all who responded. My key learning here is that paints have changed quite a bit in the past 30 years since I last painted a car. I need to do some more homework before I paint. Good thing the weather in South Carolina is a bit too cool to paint right now.

Jim

[lrf]

I bought the same paint this week. The seller (painter) said mix it 8:1:1. that's 8 parts paint to 1 part hardener and 1 part reducer. Don't reduce more than 10%. LRF

[oldspert]

Also you need an HVLP gun and proper compressor to proper spray that type of paint.

[gdmn852]

Hello, as mentioned the single stage doesn’t require a clear coat, the hardner is a option on the acrylic enamel, does make it setup faster, but also as mentioned has iso involved , so use caution. Years ago people would wet sand the enamel and buff to make it resemble lacquer on restorations and use the hardner.

[Tinbasher]

Limco is a BASF product if I remember properly. It'a urethane not Acrylic Enamel as far as I know. In Canada anyway. Get the Material Data Sheet that will tell you everything. JP