Sikkens vs. PPG paint...

[Patrick T.]

I'm going to get my '67 painted with one of the above. I had good luck with PPG on my '57, but I've been told Sikkens is the best, but a lot more expensive. I believe the high end imports like Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes are painted with Sikkens. Anyone here have any experience with Sikkens? Thanks, PT

[Chuck S.]

Re: Sikkens vs. PPG paint...

Patrick, I don't know about Sikkens, but the premium PPG stuff is PRETTY DANGED EXPENSIVE.

I just priced all required materials (reducer, catalyst, etc.) for painting my SUV using PPG's DPLF epoxy primer/K36 primer-surfacer/DPLF(reduced as sealer)/DCC acrylic urethane/DCU 2021 clear. This is the nearly the same system recommended by several here for painting our Corvettes (DCC is single stage, clear not required)...the total cost was damn near $1000. "Arrgggghhh"...(clutching chest)...(gasping) "I'ma comin' to see'ya Irene!"

[Duke W.]

Re: Sikkens vs. PPG paint...

As far as I can tell all the major paint suppliers use the same basic technologies, but since Sikkens is a European based supplier, they typically supply European OEs while PPG and DuPont service American based OEs.

My gut level feel is that in this case you don't necessarily get what you pay for i.e. a better product for a higher price.

Duke

[Bill W.]

Re: Sikkens vs. PPG paint...

If you want it to match use Dupont.They have all the correct formulas for the old paints. Bill

[Todd H 26112]

...or DuPont... all are good

I suspect all three and perhaps a few others all can offer top quality results these days for the custom show car / restoration market. Mine was repainted many years ago w/ DuPont - no complaints after 12 or more years. In more recent years I've used PPG Deltron on some smaller sports cars I've done for fun, autoxing, daily drivers and such - not cheap stuff but solid results other than a goof or two that was not the paint's fault. Come to think of it I suppose I have all three here as we have a late modem BMW - again no complaints but that is a factory paint job as opposed to a repaint. The BMW paint job does not walk on water - it can be marred by earthly things like bird droppings or hard water.

May also consider other things like your experience w/ paint and how involved each brand's system is or if using a painter you are comfortable with - what they are comfortable using.

I doubt you can go wrong w/ either of the brands you're considering. In fact I personally might use price as a serious considation point given these brands...?

Good luck,

Oh and just for kicks as far as the dark side goes... I helped a friend do a quickee prep for a car getting... gulp! dare I say... an Earl Scheib special - their very bottom of the line cheapest... Obviously this was not a classic Corvette! But given a little decent prep and some time to remove trim they'd never mask - it wasn't 'that' bad - didn't even wash off in the rain like I told him it would! In fact, given a final color sand to knock it down a little - not bad at all. Prep prep prep

[Ralph Harlan]

In selecting and using ureathane paints . . .

Todd's response "May also consider other things like your experience w/paint and how involved each brand's system is or if using a painter you are comfortable with - what they are comfortable using." is an important consideration. I have used various ureathanes including Dupont's Imron, U. S. Paint's Awlgrip, a few PPG products, Sherwin Williams' product, and Sikkens on fiberglass boats for years (above the waterline ONLY for these products). My experience was best with Imron, but I've used it since the early '70s so I know what to expect and how to compensate when using it. I have boats I did in Imron that still have the "wet look" after 20+ years of use. I never got that from the others. Subsequently, I will do my '84 with Imron.

With all of them, PREPARATION is 95%+ of the job. Spray techniques will vary with each product, resulting in more or less shine - but you cannot hide flaws (even 220 grit wet-sanding marks) well behind any of these products. If your painter is more familiar with PPG or Sikkens (or Sherwin Williams, or Martin Senour, etc.) have him use that product line for his best results.

If you are planning to spray it yourself, do not mix product lines (DuPont's primer with topcoat from another manufacturer for instance), use caution and protection. Chemicals in these products like isocyanates and cyanoacrylates do nasty things to your nervous system (brain included), liver, kidneys, etc. These are products with which you wear a [properly fitted] breathing apparatus, skin protection, and use a spray booth, etc. You can absorb a lot of nasty things thru the skin if you are not careful, spill the products on you, or wash up with solvents. As I used to try to impress on my employees: [if you want to live a long and useful life, work like you are in a hazardous chemistry lab or cleaning a nuclear spill when you are using modern paints and resins]! Many of the catalysts such as MEKP used with polyester resin ("fiberglass"), for instance, are dangerous to work with. If you get ANY in your eye, it is not IF - it is WHEN - you go blind you can have cataract surgery to help compensate for it. Polyester resin apparently has a link to a virilent form of bone marrow cancer . . .but I begin to digress.

[Michael S.]

Re: Sikkens vs. PPG paint...

I have used Sikikens. Works great and produced a fine finish. I have used PPG. Works great and produced a fine finish. When you are using products of the this calibur, topline, the difference is in the preperation and application. Otherwords, chose your paint technician CAREFULLY!

Personally I have found that "House of Color" paints (John Kosmolski's company now owned by Valspar) is the finish automotive paint available period. Makes Sikkens and PPG look CHEAP in cost. The colors and finishes available will astound you. Again, preparation and application are the key! House of Color paints are what are most of the top rods and show cars in the country. A great choice for a custom, probably overkill for your stock color Corvette.

Use what you paint technician is skilled using daily. Just painted a 69 SS 396 Chevelle Convertible last seek. Used PPG as that is what Steve, the painter, has skill and confidence. The car looks Marvelous! Simply Marvelous!

Mike Strinich
#11202

[Patrick T.]

Thanks for the info....

I guess if I wanted to use Sikkens, I would have to go to BMW paint and body shop, where they probably wouldn't feel comfortable with two base coats of Gelcoat to start off with.

The last I heard, PPG DAU was about $50/gallon and Sikkens was about $75/liter. Thanks, PT

[Craig S.]

Re: Thanks for the info....

Patrick - color choice makes a huge difference in cost...reds are the most expensive, especially maroon metallic etc.....Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: Thanks for the info....

I took a class at Bloomington several years ago, some of the flip flop colors are $4000 A QUART.......can you say holy @#$%??? Craig

[Jay Hastings]

Re: Sikkens vs. PPG paint...

Patrick
if you had to choose between brands it should be Sikkens
I used to shoot PPG and now shoot Sikkens. Sikkens is twice the paint of PPG.
the Sikkens autoclear III (3) is the best thing next to house of color.
They also have a new autobase plus that works great. The price on PPG vs.Sikkens is not all that different. the clears are both about $300. A
sprayable gal. and Sikkens base is more than PPG, but the bad smell alone is almost enough to swich to sikkens.
Jay

[Mike G.]

One other consideration

is availability. I used Spies-Hecker BC/CC for my '58. It's the factory brand for Porche and a few other Euro makes. Seems to me (a total ameteur) to be an excellent brand.

But here's the catch. On one visit to buy another gallon of red base coat, they ran out of one of the toner colors (the brands all have their own toners) and I had to wait a day. They also don't carry smaller sizes of clear, so I once had to buy a 2-liter can for a small touch up job.

Since the paint store I use, like most paint stores, sells PPG up the wazoo, they are better stocked for PPG than Spies, Sikkens or House of Color. Next time, I think that's the way I'll go.

- Mike Greene

[Chris S.]

Re: Sikkens vs. PPG paint...

Couple of comments - Glasurit is the OE paint for BMW, Merc Benz, etc....
It is the best paint you can buy - I have sprayed all out there -
I find Glasurit to be the easiest system and superior clears
I am not a fan of Dupont or PPG their clears die very easily.
Not a fan of Sikkens either - but my personal opinion
Wet sand and buffing is mandantory.
I sprayed 2 of my daily cars with Glasurit and one with it's sister paint
Diamont - both I never even buffed - the gloss is unreal.

I agree 100% with a previous post
Dont mix products across lines - pick a line - If you like PPG use all PPG
Def use protection - long sleeves, gloves - and a very good mask.
There are nasty stuff in all these paints

I also shot several House of Kolors - excellent
My ISCA car is House of Kolor and the clears and bases are superior but their colors are all custom - there are no OE colors