Aw, the way paint used to be

metalho

Well-known member
With the purchase of the 29 coupe I inherited a half gallon of Ditzler PPG Acrylic Lacquer in Rose Beige and Original Equipment Black. Basically writing this 25 year old paint off as little more than color chip material to take to the paint shop, I really didn't put any stock into the idea of actually using it on the car. Removing the lids and getting a whiff of what possibly could be usable paint, I quickly grabbed my paint mixing tool. As I watched the smooth silkiness of the separated paint blending into its original form I decided to strain it into new cans. After straining and capping I called PPG's tech department to ask them the mix ratio of this old paint, he wasn't surprised that the paint had survived but strongly suggested purchasing new acrylic lacquer thinner if I actually planned on shooting it. Apon returning from the paint store with my gallon of thinner I mixed a small portion for my air brush intending to spot paint a few areas to get used to flow and flash time.
Wow, this stuff is fantastic! It flows beautifully, atomizes nicely and flashes in about 10 minutes in a cold shop! As well as drying in a day to polish. Now I understand we all have a duty to be green :confused: and do whats right for the environment, but dammit this stuff is hard to beat. Oh ya, did I mention it smells really good and makes everything move slower, lol.......................:D Ill be waring a mask from now on.:)
 
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If it was lacquer, you shouldn't strain the lumps out. Keep mixing until it all dissolves. The clumps contain color. What's good about true lacquer is that it can be a dried clump in a can and you can bring it back to life by adding lacquer thinner. I've got about 3/4 gallons of DuPont clear lacquer that's about 35-40 years old. I open the can every once in a while just for the "charge". :D

I remember helping my uncle shoot the under-side of a 64 Vette body in metal flake and clear. I had to get some air so when I opened the door of the garage, I fell face down in about 8" of snow. Out cold in more ways than one. :cool:

As good as lacquer was, you still can't beat the gloss and coverage of urethane.
 
No lumps, was lookin for dirt, cigerett butts and dead mice, lol.....:D
 
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Here's a great link someone posted the other day...when you guy's were educating me on lacquer :) http://www.hiberniaautorestorers.com/nitrocellulose-automotive-laquers.html

It was encouraging...quite amazing I thought...to find a restoration shop of this caliber selling both acrylic AND nitro-cellulose lacquer.
Click the home box at top of page to check out the shop full of classic cars & the vast array of services they offer.
.......They're in New Jersey.
I wonder if they're putting lacquer on those Dusenbergs & Cords?
 
Here's a great link someone posted the other day...when you guy's were educating me on lacquer :) http://www.hiberniaautorestorers.com/nitrocellulose-automotive-laquers.html

It was encouraging...quite amazing I thought...to find a restoration shop of this caliber selling both acrylic AND nitro-cellulose lacquer.
Click the home box at top of page to check out the shop full of classic cars & the vast array of services they offer.
.......They're in New Jersey.
I wonder if they're putting lacquer on those Dusenbergs & Cords?
Hey, thanks for the link man! Welp, the air brush touch up seams to be workin great, no wax on the car yet. Been buffin with #4 lapidary rock polish and water. Its almost like they didn't rub the lacquer out after they shot it. Anyway, the old paints runnin through the air brush great.:) Almost wish somethin would bust so I can fix something mechanical, lol......... No no no, knock on wood.
 

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