HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

[Gary B.]

I'm painting the seat frames and tracks on my '66 and I started using Rustoleum semi-gloss black from a rattle can and now I'm thinking of switching to some Rustoleum lacquer black that I have on hand that has a little higher gloss. The JG calls for gloss, and the semi-gloss enamel is not quite as glossy as I'd like. If I light sand the enamel, can I spray the lacquer on top of the enamel or will I have a problem with compatibility between the two paint types?

is the answer the same if I sprayed the enamel 24 hours ago and if it isn't completely cured yet?

Gary

[Mike M.]

Re: HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

i suspect the lacquer solvents will dissolve the enamel. i've never had good luck top-coating with Rustoleum, even if its Rustoleum enamel over previously sprayed Rustoleum enamel.i usually end up with a crinkle texture like the old heaters in chevys of the 30's and 40's. mike

[Gary B.]

Enamel on enamel; great results sometimes, terrible results others

Mike,

I've had both excellent rules and horrible results spraying Rustoleum enamel over Rustoleum enamel. I've had good results with enamel on enamel when the first coat is fully cured and I've sanded the first coat with extra fine paper before spraying the second coat. I've gotten quite a nice semi-gloss look doing this, but it's not quite as glossly as I'd like.

But today, I had horrible results with enamel on enamel and I don't quite know why, except perhaps the first coat might not have been completely cured since I shot it less than 24 hours ago. But as I said, I'd like something slightly glossier and I happened to have a can of the lacquer available.

Gary

[Jim W.]

Re: HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

In my experience, Enamel can be painted over Lacquer ( Which is why Macco uses Enamel only) and I have never seen Enamel sprayed over Lacquer have any problems, but if you try to apply Lacquer over Enamel it will just bubble up and become a complete mess. If you have a Lacquer paint job, use lacquer, or remove the enamel paint first.

[Steven B.]

Re: HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

In my experience, Enamel can be painted over Lacquer ( Which is why Macco uses Enamel only) and I have never seen Enamel sprayed over Lacquer have any problems, but if you try to apply Lacquer over Enamel it will just bubble up and become a complete mess. If you have a Lacquer paint job, use lacquer, or remove the enamel paint first.

Jim is correct. I had a fiberglass car () that had the original lacquer on it and was repainted a couple of years before I got it with enamel. I decided to go back to lacquer and was told enamel over lacquer, but not lacquer over enamel---then the painter showed me. It did wrinkle and bubble. Enamel has to be stripped before spraying lacquer unless there has been some breakthrough.

Steve

[Dick W.]

Re: HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

You can spray lacquer over enamel IF you properly seal the old substrates. I do not know of any rattle can sealers, though, that would let you do this.

[Tracy C.]

Re: HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

Try some High Gloss Clear enamel over it.

[Jim D.]

Re: HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

If I light sand the enamel, can I spray the lacquer on top of the enamel or will I have a problem with compatibility between the two paint types?

NO you can't spray lacquer over enamel and YES you will have problems.

[Gary B.]

HELP! Can lacquer go on top of enamel?

Thanks all. The answer sounds pretty unequivocal.

Gary