Old cans of lacquer

[Rey S.]

Re: Old cans of lacquer

My neighbor, a retired painter and body shop owner has told me to make sure the lid is on tight and then store the can upside down, then shake it up once a year or so and it should be fine!

[Russ S.]

Re: Old cans of lacquer

The single most important factor when storing paint is that there be the least amount of air in the can as possible. In other words if you have a part of a gallon left, put it in smaller containers such as quarts or pint cans.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Old cans of lacquer

I thought UNTHINNED lacquer paint does pour like honey.

I'm joining this thread a little late, but here's my situation: My (ex) '65 Goldwood yellow coupe was painted in Dupont Lucite lacquer in 1983. Been keeping this left-over can ever since.

Now, after 32+ years, I opened it and here's what I see. There's a crust and something like almost rubbery jelly underneath; total depth to can bottom is 1/2".

Instructions on the back say (for a fresh, full can I assume), to shake or stir the mixed color; then, for 1 part Lucite color to add 1_1/2 parts Lucite thinner. Spray at 40-45psi, apply double coats, allowing each double coat to flash. So if this works, I should have 1_1/4" of mix.

My '65 convertible is the same color, so I'm hoping to recuperate this lacquer and use it for cosmetic touch-ups (rock chips, door dings, and more ), even though I don't know what's on the car now (certainly not lacquer), or when it was painted [early-80's ?].

Thoughts welcome.