In restoring a classic car the painting stage can be the most rewarding part of the process as it brings your car to life with the newly applied color and shine bringing your dream closer to reality. Choosing the correct car paint for your new color can be confusing as there are a number of choices available. The most common paint today is enamel car paint while lacquer was the prime choice for car manufactures for many years.
Enamel paint and lacquer paint are very different compounds, formulated for different applications while they both produce a shiny finish. Typically, enamel paint is an oil-based paint used to cover surfaces, however; many latex and water-based paints nowadays are also termed as enamel. In contrast to this, lacquer paint refers to a quick-drying solvent that contains nitrocellulose resin, which is obtained from cellulosic materials.
Either way, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of the different types of automotive paints on the market to properly care for your car.
Car Paint Stages
The first thing to understand is that most automotive paint is broken down into two main categories according to the number of “stages” involved in the paint job. This refers to the different coats that need to go into making the final paint job look good and provide the right level of wear resistance. It is important to note that it is “different coats” that is talked about here, and not just the number of coats in total – and also that this doesn’t actually include prep coats such as anti-corrosion undercoats.
Single Stage – This group is usually limited to enamels and urethanes where a single can of paint contains the base color, as well as the shiny topcoat mixed in together. Usually when applying single stage paints, you will apply an initial half coat that is thinner and lighter, and then a couple of proper coats, without the need for any sort of clear coat over the top.
Some of the more specialty paints, such as powder coating and epoxy paints can be applied as single stage paints, but it will vary by paint and application.
Two Stage – or base and topcoat finishes, require you to apply an initial base coat (or a few) of the color you want, and then a protective and shiny clear coat over the top. These coats will be done over the top of a primer usually, and the number of coats applied in each stage will vary depending upon the desired finish.
Of course, like everything, there are exceptions to the rule – such as candy paints or other special ways of applying coats to achieve unique looks – but for the sake of simplicity, these two main categories are where you should start.
Most beginners should start with single stage paints as the application is far easier, you do not need to juggle spray guns or multiple cans, and you can usually achieve a balanced finish to the paint without much experience.
When choosing a car paint type, you need to keep in mind to utilize the correct paint primer that works with the car paint you plan on using.
Now let’s look at the main types of paint.
Lacquer Car Paint
Lacquer paint is typically used for several different types of hard and shiny finishes on wood and furniture, but the paint was extremely popular for cars from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Pros: If you are looking for a good shine on your car, lacquer remains one of the best paints to achieve it. Waiting for your car to dry is a tedious prospect, though, especially if you do not have a garage to avoid damage from the elements. Lacquer paint is known to dry much faster than other paints.
Lacquer is widely considered as the cheapest and easiest to apply as well. With colder months that are often harsh on your car, sometimes a paint job may be necessary to combat the rough weather and avoid rust. While most paint should not be applied in colder weather, lacquer can be applied in temperatures of 65 degrees.
Cons: There are some upsides to lacquer, there are also negatives, which is why the paint is not common anymore. While the paint may dry faster, lacquer paint requires six to eight coats, so it will take more time to complete the project. Lacquer paint also needs to sit for a few weeks and then be polished. Any trim removed for painting cannot be put back until the car is polished either.
Lacquer paint is also commonly spray painted on, as opposed to painted on directly, so you would need to invest in a paint sprayer. Another main reason why lacquer is not used as much today is because the paint is not durable. If you do not have access to a garage, then a car with lacquer paint can get chipped away from the sun’s exposure. While easy to put on, it requires a lot of maintenance.
Urethane Car Paint
Urethane paint is one of the most popular types of automotive paint used by manufacturers and professionals. Besides the body, urethane paint is also applied on engine parts that tend to get hot.
Pros: Unlike lacquer paint, urethane is long lasting and will not chip. A car with urethane paint does not need to be stored in a garage to remain protected from the sun, rocks, salt, and other outdoor elements. Urethane can also give your car a similar finish as lacquer paint and make your car look great and can also be sprayed over other paints if you need to a new paint job. Urethane paint also dries quickly with the use of chemical hardeners.
Cons: While quick drying is a benefit, the use of chemical hardeners makes urethane paint toxic and harmful to your lungs. This means you will have to wear the proper protective equipment, including goggles, an air respirator mask, a painter’ suit, and pants. If you are new to car painting, urethane is more difficult to apply as well. Getting your car painted with Urethane may require you to get it done by a professional, which will cost more than doing it yourself.
Acrylic Enamel Car Paint
Acrylic paint is another popular option you can use to give your car a new finish. Acrylic paint has several similarities to urethane paint. There are different types of acrylic paint, which includes enamel, lacquer, and urethane.
Pros: Acrylic is water based, so unlike urethane paint, it is less toxic. The paint is also easy to apply and provides a glossy finish. Acrylic is also considered to be a long lasting and inexpensive paint, even though it was popular in the 1950s to 1980s for expensive cars. As acrylic lacquer dries, it catches less dirt and dust than other paints.
Cons: One of the major downsides to acrylic paint is it can take up to 2 days to dry before you can apply another coat. Acrylic lacquer also does not last long and can fade easily if it is left out in the sun, so make sure you have access to a garage if you plan on using acrylic paint.
Metallic Car Paint
Another type of automotive paint is metallic. This paint is typically used on muscle or sports cars to give it an extremely glossy look.
Pros: Metallic paint will make your car stand out on the road with its shiny finish. Cars with metallic paint can also hide minor surface blemishes because of how reflective the metallic paint is. Metallic paint jobs can also be sold at a high resale value because it is considered to be a high-end paint.
Cons: If you find yourself in a situation where you need to repair a severe door ding or scratch, metallic paint can be difficult to patch-up because it is difficult to match. There are also fewer colors to choose from, and the paint is more expensive than regular paint.
Matte Finish Paint
A matte finish is another way to make a statement with your car, and the trend continues to increase in popularity today. Matte jobs can typically be found on luxury brand cars like BMW and Mercedes Benz.
Pros: Matte paint does not offer a glossy finish, and instead gives your car a completely flat surface. This is an especially desirable look today. Matte paint will keep your car looking smooth on the road and will look good in any weather condition.
Cons: This paint demands a massive amount of upkeep. Scratches tend to stand out more because it is not glossy, so a Mercedes Benz touch-up paint kit will only do so much to fix damage to the finish. Matte paint can also be difficult to clean and limits what you can use, as some methods may interact with the paint. The matte finishes are also expensive like metallics.
Waterborne vs. Solvent-Based Car Paint
When looking for automotive paint, you may see two words stand out: waterborne and solvent. That is because these are the two main types of vehicle paint used today. When considering waterborne vs. solvent-based car paint, read this brief comparison. You will see which one is the better choice.
Waterborne Car Paint
Water-based paint is the most widely used type of automotive paint today. Its acrylic polyurethane enamel base is considered environmentally friendly, and it currently makes up the color coats and clearcoats on most vehicles. Waterborne paint has considerably fewer odors but still produces bright, clean colors. You also need less clearcoat with water-based paint. It even requires less clearcoat to even out the car’s surface over multiple layers.
Solvent-Based Car Paint
Solvent-based paint remains another option for your vehicle. Unlike waterborne paint, solvent is more durable and less sensitive to the base underneath. Also, it spreads out thicker, which makes it easier to hide the imperfections below. Solvent-based paint holds up better against humidity too. Humidity makes waterborne paint dry faster, which affects the overall result.
Epoxy Paint
These are not usually used on cars but are great for vehicles (or parts) that require an extremely durable finish. These paints are usually sold as rust prevention or protection from acids or other corrosive substances. Most epoxy paints are incredibly toxic, so appropriate protection should be used, or you will probably die.
Powder Coating
This is a special process that requires baking a kind of plastic dust onto statically charged metal. It is not used on exterior finishes usually (it would be a massive job!) but Is very commonly used on small parts that need a durable finish, or on wheels and the like. Primers – Also called undercoats, primer is designed to provide proper adhesion of the paint job to the painted surface, as well as protect from corrosion and increase the durability of the paint job. Certain types of primer, namely Primer Fillers and Surfacers will provide “build up” which will allow for excess material that can be sanded down to provide a smooth and even surface for paint.
Car Paint Preparation
The key to achieving a quality car paint job is all in the preparation of the metal surfaces as your paint will reflect everything beneath it so any imperfections will show thru your new car paint finish. It is like building a house on a foundation made of Jell-O instead of concrete; it just will not last or look good and same is true with your car paint.
Finally
Though most car paint types can achieve a glossy and shiny finish, lacquer paints result in a thicker coat than enamel. However, lacquer paint can bubble and crack if not applied effectively with the correct technique. Often, several coats of lacquer paint need to be applied to get the right finish. Obviously painting a whole car is a big job, so it is best to leave it to the experts if you are not confident, however with a little knowledge and a whole lot of prep work, you can easily tackle smaller jobs until you do build up that confidence and experience yourself.
Next time such an article is produced it would be better presented by someone who has at least a working knowledge of the process and product