Polishing new lacquer

[Jim T.]

Re: Polishing new lacquer

Greg I painted my 70 Donneybrooke coupe myself using Dupont lacquer in 1990 and 1991. I painted two color coats on Dupont sealer in November 1990 on my carport. Not enough time left that day to continue. Next time I painted when the weather conditions were right for me were in March 1991 and painted two more coats.
I did not sand the color after the first two coats. Cleaned the paint surface and the final two coats were sprayed
After drying the final coat I wet sanded the paint with 1200 and then 1500. Finished with Duponts 101S Lacquer Rubbing Compond (white).
Followed this with applications of Meguires #7 to enhance the appearance.
The finished product looked great.
My 70 still looks great after all these years, chips and all since it is a driven Corvette.
I have used two Dupont company paint books, one just newer than the other, I bought before I painted to help me.

[Stewart A.]

Re: Polishing new lacquer

Greg I'm not sure if the lacquer is supposed to be shinny off the gun. When spraying 2 pak modern paints the shine is there straight away but after a good de nibbing and sanding it looks like the paint is ruined it's as flat and dull as the sandpaper you use. With a rub from 1800 - 2000 you have no shine anyway. After a 6 or 7 stage ploish it should be as glossy as glass. It's a huge effort but it's better than paying someone else to do it. Once you know how you can transfere your expertise onto other cars you own now or in the future. I must admit I have never buffed laquer it's pre-historic and a crazy method of paintng in this day and age but that's what is required by the books. The sooner this madness is changed the better I think, but that's my thoughts and there are 15000 other members that might disagree with me. What I do remember is a long time ago I can recall a paint guy that sprayed 2 pak for the first time saying he couldn't believe the shine straight off the gun and was recomended by the company to no buff the paint because it doesn't need it. So I am probably thinking there is no shine off the gun with lacquer.