Is This Stuff Really "Lacquer"???

[Chuck S.]

Re: Is This Stuff Really "Lacquer"???

YOU SED IT! I was going to, but didn't.

I ain't afraid of saying it...been saying it for years now. Members either agree with me, or they consider me like an eccentric old uncle...best ignored.

It was pretty rough at first, but more and more people are coming around to this point of view as they understand the durability problems with the "new" acrylic lacquer. I credit Tom Ames' NCRS paint seminars as the catalyst for change.

...The only way that I WOULD consider it, is if I obtained the OLD tech sheet and compared it to the NEW tech sheet. Maybe, with the help of an expert, could re-formulate the NEW to more closely approach the OLD. Otherwise, the newfangled catalyzed Urethane Enamels are the only way to go IMHO.

Fageddabotit...Formulating paint is not something the average guy can do in his kitchen. Technically, single stage urethane is NOT called an enamel...this is probably another question for the tech service guys; i.e. "What is the definition of 'enamel'?"

...The external surfaces are painted with 2 stage Sikkens Urethane Enamel...

Just for clarification, two stage means the finish is applied in two steps...ordinarily it would mean BC/CC, but PPG's single stage urethane can also be top coated with clear. It is not required with their SSU, but you can apply clear to enhance the durability even further...I assume this is what you mean.

[Joe C.]

Re: Is This Stuff Really "Lacquer"???

I ain't afraid of saying it...been saying it for years now. Members either agree with me, or they consider me like an eccentric old uncle...best ignored.

Not afraid......just tired. Furthermore, modern urethane enamels are far superior to the best formulation of acrylic lacquer that you could ever have obtained "back in the day" as far as luster, depth of color, and durability. Reason for this is, primarily, that lacquer is constantly dessicating throughout its lifetime. Consequently, it "sloughs off" its top layer continually, very much like human skin cells. That is why people who remember, used to "buff" or "polish" their car's paint every 6 months or so........to remove the top layer of "dead" paint. Then, they would back-breakingly "wax" it with difficult to remove Carnuba wax, like Simoniz. This would serve as a pore-and-void filler, to increase gloss, BUT, more importantly, would hydrolyze the top layer of paint, similar to skin moisturizers, and retard its dessication. Enamels do not dessicate in order to harden, but first release the entrained solvents while drying, and concurrently co-polymerize while curing, to form larger molecules which are dissimilar to the original vehicle molecules that were contained in the uncured paint.
There is very little need to "buff" , "polish" or even "wax" enamel paints, especially modern, catalyzed urethane enamels. Most of the crap sold today, to finesse modern paints is ssssssssnake oil................marketing hype designed to separate a fool from his money. All that is necessary for a protected car, like our Corvettes, is an occasional "spritz" of spray detailer, like Mothers Showtime, to glaze the surface.

Fageddabotit...Formulating paint is not something the average guy can do in his kitchen. Technically, single stage urethane is NOT called an enamel...this is probably another question for the tech service guys; i.e. "What is the definition of 'enamel'?"

"Enamel" paint is one which hardens by copolymerization rather than drying (dessicating). The following is from an automotive paint website:

Q. What is a lacquer?
A. Lacquer materials dry entirely by the evaporation of their solvent. The dried film will re-dissolve in its original solvent for an indefinite period of time; no chemical reaction occurs to alter the properties of the film. Generally, Lacquer topcoats are easy to use, fast drying, high gloss, durable, and easy to buff. Lacquers have no ?re-coat window?.

Q. What is an enamel?
A. Enamels dry or ?cure? through oxidation and polymerization, which is the combining of individual molecules to form larger molecules. This new film will not re-dissolve in its original solvent. Generally, enamels are very durable, high gloss coatings.

Just for clarification, two stage means the finish is applied in two steps...ordinarily it would mean BC/CC, but PPG's single stage urethane can also be top coated with clear. It is not required with their SSU, but you can apply clear to enhance the durability even further...I assume this is what you mean.

"Two stage" is usually, but not always, a process whereby high gloss clearcoat with enhanced UV protection polymer is applied over a flat or satin color coat base. Sometimes the base coat is high gloss, but the topcoat of clear contains the special UV filtering polymers, and must be applied.
"Single stage" contains the entire cocktail in one application. Yes, it may be clearcoated.
They are both classified as "enamel".
They can be either water or organically soluble.
They are both catalyzed.

Joe

[Chuck S.]

Re: Is This Stuff Really "Lacquer"???

Well, shoot, you had all the answers except that one about Rustoleum Specialty Lacquer, and you found that one yourself...I'm wondering what this thread was all about.

I want my clicks, words, and time back!