Lacquer Paint

[Richard P.]

What is the best way to determine if my car has lacquer paint or has been clearcoated?
Thanks

[Gary N.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

When you wax the car do you get the color of the car on the buffing cloth or is it colorless? If it colorless it's probably got a clear coat on it.

[Terry D.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

Richard
In a not too noticable place, maybe under front grille, take a cloth with a little polishing compound and rub the paint. If paint comes off on rag it is not clearcoat.
Terry

[Jay G.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

You will find paint start to get all over the polishing rag. Don't concentrate or linger too long on one spot. If its a 40 yr old lacquer paint etc. Will be kinda fragile.

[Gary C.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

Caution - some painters have been known to mix a little color in the clear so that you will get some color when it's rubbed on with compound. JMTCW, Gary....

[Duke W.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

If the door jambs and hood gutter are as glossy as the exterior, it's probably single stage enamel or basecoat/clearcoat.

Single stage enamel will show color with polishing compound, but it will take more rubbing to get color on the rag than with lacquer.

Another way is to lightly dampen a rag with lacquer thinner and take a swipe or two in a non-visible area like the valence panel underside. Lacquer will show color on the rag. Enamel or clear coat will not.

Duke