Questions and opinions on buying paint

A guy I know has a couple of Corvettes to paint. The first will be in about
6 months or so. The second will be in about a year to two years. He is
painting both lacquer because that is what they were and restored Corvettes
should be lacquer. He is wondering about buying the paint now with the
availability of lacquer decreasing all the time and that it could just stop
without notice, and he would be hung out to dry.

He was thinking about several things, buying an extra gallon for each in
case he has to repaint some time, buying it in quart containers so that some
will remain good longer by exposing only small amounts to the air, and so
on. And he is open to suggestions and opinions. Other than he will paint
lacquer and not enamel, SS, or BC/CC.

Thoughts? I'll pass them on to him.

"Tom in Missouri" > wrote in message
link.net...
>A guy I know has a couple of Corvettes to paint. The first will be in
>about 6 months or so. The second will be in about a year to two years. He
>is painting both lacquer because that is what they were and restored
>Corvettes should be lacquer. He is wondering about buying the paint now
>with the availability of lacquer decreasing all the time and that it could
>just stop without notice, and he would be hung out to dry.
>
> He was thinking about several things, buying an extra gallon for each in
> case he has to repaint some time, buying it in quart containers so that
> some will remain good longer by exposing only small amounts to the air,
> and so on. And he is open to suggestions and opinions. Other than he
> will paint lacquer and not enamel, SS, or BC/CC.
>
> Thoughts? I'll pass them on to him.

Don't buy quarts, buy the gallon, and then blend the gallons if you buy more
than one. Reseal and store where they won't get major temperature changes
and can't go low enough to freeze. I keep mine in a semi-heated basement and
they will last longer than he will and not degrade. When you reuse them
mixing them very well becomes extremely important because of the metallic,
iridescent, and pigment separation over the years. I had to judge a great
restoration of a red, not sure what the actual red was, and he used two
gallons. As can happen he buffed through the top fender, quarter ridges, not
to worry, he has another gallon. They were mixed at the same time and were
not metallic but they sure were different colors. I'd have re-shot the
entire car, I could see everywhere he had re-shot the edges. I shot a
removable hardtop with paint that was 26 years old last summer and it came
closer than his did new.

Most important keep the type of paint, where or from whom it was purchased,
mix code, the color, and color number along with the mix date where it can't
be lost or destroyed. That same information should also be in the car in
more than one place.

Last but not least, where are you getting good lacquer these days?

--
Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd

Thanks, Dad.

So you think he should buy gallons? He is painting a '68 with hardtop red.
How much do you think he really needs? He will do under the deck, the door
jams, and so on.

He was figuring about 2 qt, maybe 3. the 4th would be for touch up later.


"Dad" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Tom in Missouri" > wrote in message
> link.net...
>>A guy I know has a couple of Corvettes to paint. The first will be in
>>about 6 months or so. The second will be in about a year to two years.
>>He is painting both lacquer because that is what they were and restored
>>Corvettes should be lacquer. He is wondering about buying the paint now
>>with the availability of lacquer decreasing all the time and that it could
>>just stop without notice, and he would be hung out to dry.
>>
>> He was thinking about several things, buying an extra gallon for each in
>> case he has to repaint some time, buying it in quart containers so that
>> some will remain good longer by exposing only small amounts to the air,
>> and so on. And he is open to suggestions and opinions. Other than he
>> will paint lacquer and not enamel, SS, or BC/CC.
>>
>> Thoughts? I'll pass them on to him.
>
> Don't buy quarts, buy the gallon, and then blend the gallons if you buy
> more than one. Reseal and store where they won't get major temperature
> changes and can't go low enough to freeze. I keep mine in a semi-heated
> basement and they will last longer than he will and not degrade. When you
> reuse them mixing them very well becomes extremely important because of
> the metallic, iridescent, and pigment separation over the years. I had to
> judge a great restoration of a red, not sure what the actual red was, and
> he used two gallons. As can happen he buffed through the top fender,
> quarter ridges, not to worry, he has another gallon. They were mixed at
> the same time and were not metallic but they sure were different colors.
> I'd have re-shot the entire car, I could see everywhere he had re-shot the
> edges. I shot a removable hardtop with paint that was 26 years old last
> summer and it came closer than his did new.
>
> Most important keep the type of paint, where or from whom it was
> purchased, mix code, the color, and color number along with the mix date
> where it can't be lost or destroyed. That same information should also be
> in the car in more than one place.
>
> Last but not least, where are you getting good lacquer these days?
>
> --
> Dad
> 05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
> 72 Shark Black/Black/4spd
>
>

> So you think he should buy gallons?

I painted a '56 several years ago and did not have a hard top for it at the
time. I bought a single gallon of paint and it was insufficient to do the
job properly. I really think this is a case where buying a couple of
gallons and storing what little may be left over properly for later use is a
better decision.

Charlie

"Tom in Missouri" > wrote in message
hlink.net...
> Thanks, Dad.
>
> So you think he should buy gallons? He is painting a '68 with hardtop
red.
> How much do you think he really needs? He will do under the deck, the
door
> jams, and so on.
>
> He was figuring about 2 qt, maybe 3. the 4th would be for touch up later.
>
>
> "Dad" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Tom in Missouri" > wrote in message
> > link.net...
> >>A guy I know has a couple of Corvettes to paint. The first will be in
> >>about 6 months or so. The second will be in about a year to two years.
> >>He is painting both lacquer because that is what they were and restored
> >>Corvettes should be lacquer. He is wondering about buying the paint now
> >>with the availability of lacquer decreasing all the time and that it
could
> >>just stop without notice, and he would be hung out to dry.
> >>
> >> He was thinking about several things, buying an extra gallon for each
in
> >> case he has to repaint some time, buying it in quart containers so that
> >> some will remain good longer by exposing only small amounts to the air,
> >> and so on. And he is open to suggestions and opinions. Other than he
> >> will paint lacquer and not enamel, SS, or BC/CC.
> >>
> >> Thoughts? I'll pass them on to him.
> >
> > Don't buy quarts, buy the gallon, and then blend the gallons if you buy
> > more than one. Reseal and store where they won't get major temperature
> > changes and can't go low enough to freeze. I keep mine in a semi-heated
> > basement and they will last longer than he will and not degrade. When
you
> > reuse them mixing them very well becomes extremely important because of
> > the metallic, iridescent, and pigment separation over the years. I had
to
> > judge a great restoration of a red, not sure what the actual red was,
and
> > he used two gallons. As can happen he buffed through the top fender,
> > quarter ridges, not to worry, he has another gallon. They were mixed at
> > the same time and were not metallic but they sure were different colors.
> > I'd have re-shot the entire car, I could see everywhere he had re-shot
the
> > edges. I shot a removable hardtop with paint that was 26 years old last
> > summer and it came closer than his did new.
> >
> > Most important keep the type of paint, where or from whom it was
> > purchased, mix code, the color, and color number along with the mix date
> > where it can't be lost or destroyed. That same information should also
be
> > in the car in more than one place.
> >
> > Last but not least, where are you getting good lacquer these days?
> >
> > --
> > Dad
> > 05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
> > 72 Shark Black/Black/4spd
> >
> >
>
>

Last January DuPont discontiued lacquer paint all together because of
new technology in the industry. This means that if you find any it has
most likely been sitting around for a long time...and its even more
likely that you will not find any at all since the most common tints
are all used up at this point. If by chance you do find someone still
supplying lacquer they will probably not have all the correct tints to
make your color.

Mike Gallagher
www.paintworldinc.com
1-800-548-4321
Automotive Touch-Up Paint and Detailing Products

He is getting PPG Duracryl and up until this last time in a couple of days
ago, they said no problem. However, he said they had heard rumors they
might be losing it soon and so that is why he was trying to stock up on
paint to cover his projects for the next couple of years.

I'm about ready to do the same, buy a gallon or two. Regardless of the
BC/CC is better/lacquer is original arguments, the fact is that to correctly
restore these old ones is to use lacquer. And those truly after the
NCRS/Bloomington Gold standards, and the really high bucks, want them all
original.

I haven't seen DuPont lacquer in a year and a half, although I heard a year
ago you could still get black, white, and possibly red. However, most
stores weren't supplying it.


> wrote in message
ups.com...
> Last January DuPont discontiued lacquer paint all together because of
> new technology in the industry. This means that if you find any it has
> most likely been sitting around for a long time...and its even more
> likely that you will not find any at all since the most common tints
> are all used up at this point. If by chance you do find someone still
> supplying lacquer they will probably not have all the correct tints to
> make your color.
>
> Mike Gallagher
> www.paintworldinc.com
> 1-800-548-4321
> Automotive Touch-Up Paint and Detailing Products
>

"Tom in Missouri" > wrote in message
hlink.net...
> Thanks, Dad.
>
> So you think he should buy gallons? He is painting a '68 with hardtop
> red. How much do you think he really needs? He will do under the deck,
> the door jams, and so on.
>
> He was figuring about 2 qt, maybe 3. the 4th would be for touch up later.

A total strip and good body prep he can get it done with one gallon and have
paint to spare for some repair later. Probably nowhere near a full uncut
quart. Good body prep includes all one color primer so he's not trying to
cover shade changes as the color goes on buy applying more paint I would
buy in a gallon, store remaining paint in a quart can.

Still would like to find out where he gets his lacquer.

--
Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd

Hi Dad,

Here's his note on the paint.

>
> Hi Tom,
>
> I remember Dad. Tell him I am getting it from a place called Ben's
> Paint Supply in Gainesville. They are located from Daytona to
> Gainesville.
> They have a web site http://www.BensPaintSupply.com if he wants to
> check it. They have PPG Duracryl lacquer.
>
> I'm getting '68 Rally Red #974 which was originally DuPont 46880LH,
> R-M A-1744-R, or Ditzler 71491, if he wants to cross reference.
>
> The price is $256 a gallon. While I'd like to get two gallons, one for
> later, it is a bit of a sticker shock for something to live on a shelf for
> ten
> years or so.
>
> I guess my thoughts of painting the black stripe down the center are done
> for. Too expensive to do it and then change it later on. Too bad,
> I always planned to put that on.
>
> Doc
>
>




"Dad" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Tom in Missouri" > wrote in message
> hlink.net...
>> Thanks, Dad.
>>
>> So you think he should buy gallons? He is painting a '68 with hardtop
>> red. How much do you think he really needs? He will do under the deck,
>> the door jams, and so on.
>>
>> He was figuring about 2 qt, maybe 3. the 4th would be for touch up
>> later.
>
> A total strip and good body prep he can get it done with one gallon and
> have paint to spare for some repair later. Probably nowhere near a full
> uncut quart. Good body prep includes all one color primer so he's not
> trying to cover shade changes as the color goes on buy applying more paint
> I would buy in a gallon, store remaining paint in a quart can.
>
> Still would like to find out where he gets his lacquer.
>
> --
> Dad
> 05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
> 72 Shark Black/Black/4spd
>

In article .net>,
"Tom in Missouri" > wrote:

> > The price is $256 a gallon. While I'd like to get two gallons, one for
> > later, it is a bit of a sticker shock for something to live on a shelf for
> > ten
> > years or so.

AYECARUMBA! Have I been that far out of touch or was this stuff in the
$70/gal range just 5 years or so ago. Me thinks that if there's any
market for the stuff at this price, someone will continue or begin
making the product for the specialty market.

Are there other materials needed specific for spraying lacquer that may
also become unobtainable? Like must you use a lacquer based primer, spot
putty, etc.?

Here's waving to ya - \||||

Owen
___

'67BB & '72BB

-- not affiliated with JLA forum in any way -- alt.autos.corvette is
original posting --
___

"To know the world intimately is the beginning of caring."
-- Ann Hayman Zwinger

About 1991, I bought a gallon of DuPont Centari acryl enamel for around $50
in NJ. of course, I couldn't find anyone to shoot it for less than $2500
due to the EPA problems, after the place I was renting dropped on me just
for fiberglass repair. The thought of spraying paint had them ready to toss
me out.

I finally found a couple of kids that destroyed their parent's basement
garage with close to a quart of overspray. :-)

Around the same time, a friend found he could get Econo Paint to spray his
race car for $99 as opposed to him paying $70 for a gallon of paint and
doing the work. For a race car, it was good enough.



"Barking Rats" > wrote in message
...
> In article .net>,
> "Tom in Missouri" > wrote:
>
>> > The price is $256 a gallon. While I'd like to get two gallons, one for
>> > later, it is a bit of a sticker shock for something to live on a shelf
>> > for
>> > ten
>> > years or so.
>
> AYECARUMBA! Have I been that far out of touch or was this stuff in the
> $70/gal range just 5 years or so ago. Me thinks that if there's any
> market for the stuff at this price, someone will continue or begin
> making the product for the specialty market.
>
> Are there other materials needed specific for spraying lacquer that may
> also become unobtainable? Like must you use a lacquer based primer, spot
> putty, etc.?
>
> Here's waving to ya - \||||
>
> Owen
> ___
>
> '67BB & '72BB
>
> -- not affiliated with JLA forum in any way -- alt.autos.corvette is
> original posting --
> ___
>
> "To know the world intimately is the beginning of caring."
> -- Ann Hayman Zwinger