Acrylic Laquer in California

[Duke W.]

Re: Acrylic Laquer in California

This discussion brings up a question about single stage and base/clear. I have never used either so I'll be learning as we go but...

If single stage looks similar to original lacquer paint but base/clear looks nothing like original lacquer paint, why would anyone even consider base/clear for a restoration?
Am I missing something here?

Most commercial shops now use BC/CC because that's what most OEM finishes have been for the last 15 years. It's getting tough to even find shops that do single stage enamel.

Enamel can be "disguised" to look like lacquer by using dulling agents for the door jams and hood gutter, but it's still fairly easy to ID enamel by the way it balls up on edges.

Dulling agents can also be used in the clear coat on two-stage jobs, but I think it's much harder to make BC/CC look like lacquer.

It all comes down to the painter's experience making non-lacquer finishes look like lacquer, and unless the painter has considerable experience doing this, the job is probably going to look like a modern car. Certainly it may be a "nice" paint job, but a Level 1.0 judge could probably tell that it's not lacquer if they've trained with some of the old hands who know what to look for (like I did).

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Acrylic Laquer in California

Good choice. Make sure you get a correct (small) metallic size and make sure your primer coat is all one color...hard lesson I learned.

Several years ago, (18) I had Milano maroon nailed dead on. Spent a year playing with mixing colors and finally got a combination that looked accurat inside the garage AND out in the sun. (huge difference with most of the then current formulas)
I used colors from one paint supplier and the small metalic from another supplier.
Unfortunately, I'm sure the mixing colors have most likely been discontinued/changed now though.

One major secret was to cut the amount of binder (clear) in the formula in half. Some metallics colors have such a high percentage of binder that the paint becomes transparent. In the sun, maroon turned red and looked terrible. With the 50% reduction in binder, that problem was pretty much solved.
I think most mixed colors have too much binder.

[Michael H.]

Re: Acrylic Laquer in California

Michael, Barry K has a good formula for MM. Go to his web site, look under the technical link, go to body (I believe) and he lists the mixing formula for PPG

Yup, I saw the pic's of Barry's car and the color looks good. Is that single stage or lacquer?

[Michael H.]

Re: Acrylic Laquer in California

Most commercial shops now use BC/CC because that's what most OEM finishes have been for the last 15 years. It's getting tough to even find shops that do single stage enamel.

I think that's exactly right. Also, most shops will tell customers that lacquer isn't available because they don't want to use it. (for several different reasons)

[Joel F.]

Re: Acrylic Laquer in California

Yup, I saw the pic's of Barry's car and the color looks good. Is that single stage or lacquer?

Actually, I think he said it was BC/CC.

[Andre R.]

Re: Acrylic Laquer in California

Acrylic laquer is still available. There are plenty of people who will still provide a high quality laquer paint job out there. And even with it's present day composition it's durability is acceptable for a limited use collector car.
The real issue at hand is people want a convenient, reliable, and modern product without foregoing the esoteric nature and artistic beauty of the older technology. A homeowner wants a wool rug that kids and pets will walk on, but wants it to look like handwoven Persian silk. The musician wants the reliability of solid state, but wants the sound of vacum tubes. This issue permeates all aspects of our lives.
I believe it is a disservice when a modern technology tries to mimic an older one. If you want BC/CC then revel in it's brilliant glossy shine. If you prefer the original look of laquer then use real laquer. Remember that the experts are rarely fooled.

Regards,
Andre