Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

[Frank B.]

I ask this question 10 years ago and just wanted to find out what current opinions are. Acrylic Lacquer or Base Clear? It seems the later is is more durable and would be more flexable on a Glass car. If I was to do base clear how would it effect judging?

[Steve B.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Judging is based solely on appearance. A laquer repaint can receive a full deduct and a BC/CC can get full credit, it's all about how the job is done.

[Russ S.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Judging is based solely on appearance. A laquer repaint can receive a full deduct and a BC/CC can get full credit, it's all about how the job is done.

That being said, in my opinion it is far better to do a BC/C that looks like a factory lacquer job than to use the poor quality lacquer you get today.

[Tom A.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Bc/cc with out a doubt! It is not difficult to get an oem appearance with BC/CC it just takes a little creativity. Do a search, there have been a number of posts on this subject. If you can't find what you need pm me and I'll give you the info you need.

[Alan S.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Hi Frank,
I really understand the ramifications of chosing acrylic lacquer, and why it's a poor choice for almost everyone.
I'm still pleased with it though. My car was painted in 2005.
Regards,
Alan

[John F.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

50+ year old lacquer!

[Tom A.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Whether 7 years or 50 it's not the same as what we have today. EPA marches on.

[Pat M.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Hi Frank,
I really understand the ramifications of chosing acrylic lacquer, and why it's a poor choice for almost everyone.
I'm still pleased with it though. My car was painted in 2005.
Regards,
Alan

I agree completely, my car was painted with lacquer in 2007 and I'm very pleased.

[Jim R.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

05 Lacquer No issues.

[Bill C.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

My two cents

I use lots of lacquer. Still readily available, its the tints that are getting harder to get. Also own car with 30 year old lacquer, pleased with the old job and never disappointed with current work results.

I do however take full advantage of the new epoxy primers and sealers, so the prep and foundation coats are superior to what was available before. I also know the new lacquers are softer, but still take just as high a gloss after properly finishing and I think its more flexible. So, for me, a better product than the "old" lacquer.

That said, are the newer paints better? Well, yes of course. More durable for sure. But, it always looks "different" to me the way it lays on the car, that is not a finish issue, just the nature of the product. And repairs if needed can be blended easily with lacquer if need be.

So, personal preference. Depends on how the car is to be used.

[Thomas H.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Hi Frank,
I really understand the ramifications of chosing acrylic lacquer, and why it's a poor choice for almost everyone.
I'm still pleased with it though. My car was painted in 2005.
Regards,
Alan

Red is such a great color for the chrome bumper sharks. As much as I like my Bridghampton Blue 71, I still like the looks of a red one better.

As for me, I am planning to start the body off process in the early fall and will be going BC/CC. The trick will be finding someone around here (eastern PA) that can do the body and paint work over the period of ONE winter, not several...........

Tom

[Pat M.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

And repairs if needed can be blended easily with lacquer if need be.

Agreed. In addition to being happy with the initial results, my paint job needed two repairs, one pretty major, and you literally cannot tell any repairs were made at all.

[Alan S.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Hi Bill,
Although I can't really explain it, I too see a difference in "the way it lays on the car".
Sorta like really tight blue jeans on a shapely 'person'.
Regards,
Alan

[Dick W.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

I think that a major problem with lacquer is finding a painter that knows how to spray it. It has been out of the mainstream for 30 years and most that used it daily have retired.

Tom Ames had a post sometime back that was a good narrative on using modern paint, do a search and you can see the difference in application for our cars and what the painter normally would do

[Chris S.]

Re: Acrylic Lacquer versa Base Clear 1971

Single stage !!!!!!!!!
IMO - one can recreate Laq look with the flexiblity and using todays technology....
Easier to make single stage look OE