the Red one is 50 years old. The Green one is 37 years old.Both have the original factory paint job according to the previous owner and I can see no signs of overspray indicating otherwise. Both were stored at the same place. And left outside for the last 2 years.
The Red one is Lacquer and will wash and buff with a rich deep shine.
The Green one used GM's thermal plastic paint process where it's sprayed on and then run through an oven to melt.
It is covered in checks and cracks in the paint. Looks kinda like an alligator skin.
Following this paint GM went to the 2 part paint system in use now.
TPA paint? I'm learning about that with my TR8. My understanding is refinishing it will be... annoying... and expensive.
Being a beta tester for automotive paint is never fun. OEMs still get it wrong. Just ask any Crown Vic with what's been termed "cancer white."
Thos car was painted in 2006.
Appleseed said:
Being a beta tester for automotive paint is never fun. OEMs still get it wrong. Just ask any Crown Vic with what's been termed "cancer white."
Thos car was painted in 2006.
Or white Chevy Express vans that peel all over !
Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:
TPA paint? I'm learning about that with my TR8. My understanding is refinishing it will be... annoying... and expensive.
Lacquer finish is the answer. I mean it's been around since the 1900's and before. When it gets dull you just buff and wax and it will always come back until you reach the primer. Then all you need to do is put another few coats on.
Plus it dries so fast, by the time you get around the car, take a few minutes break you can start sanding any runs or drips down.
I'm a lousy painter. Always in a hurry and not all that skilled. Yet using Lacquer I can get a beautiful finish. Sand the runs and drips and buff it out.
Just don't put it on too thick. Too thick it will crack. Not the fault of the paint, just the painter.
In addition it's relatively safe. You don't need a suit and fresh air piped in. I leave the garage door open and wear a mask and I'm fine.
Lacquer paint dries by solvent evaporation. That's a big reason it was phased out of common usage and replaced by catalyzed products..
Well except most spray cans are Lacquer (fast drying ) and piano's are commonly done in Lacquer, plus other musical instruments.
I'm glad millions of cars are no longer painted in Lacquer. Or repaired in Lacquer. You are right about evaporation. But then nothing is perfect.
I've painted a few cars in Lacquer in my lifetime. Not enough to exceed the average annual evaporation from spillage at a neighborhood gas station. In fact probably not enough to exceed the monthly evaporation from spillage. So I've caused less evaporation in my lifetime than one neighborhood gas station does in a month. But yes every little bit adds up. I'm just not sure we drivers of Vintage cars really have a choice.no Pollution equipment but very few miles driven ?
Yes we could let our cars get rusty. And convert them all to EV's. But hey! We still have horses. They emit plenty of methane and their horse droppings do stink.
However people who like horses are willing to accept that.
I guess like my grandmother often said; everything in moderation.
