Lacquer availability

[Ed Jennings]

I had a long conversation with the guy I deal with at DuPont this morning. Seems that DuPont no longer manufactures lacquer. However, there is a warehouse in Pennsylvania which stocks the remaining supply and will continue to distribute it as long as the current supply lasts. There is a jobber in Ohio that seems to be the primary distributer of lacquer products. I have the phone number at the office and if anyone wants it, drop me an email.

I also received an email from an NCRS member who is a Sherwin Williams employee. The info I received from him indicated that SW is still making lacquer but will cease "in the near future".

I'm sure that lacquer made by someone will be around for several years to come, but the time will arrive sooner or later that lacquer will not be available at all. Those of you who hoard Corvette stuff better be lining up some climate controlled, fireproof storage. Check your local zoning ordinances.

[Dave S.]

Re: Lacquer availability

Ed,

I bought some Donneybrooke Green and Steel Cities grey lacquer a few years ago assuming it would be unavailable. Seems like it has stayed available for some time but maybe the end is getting closer. I was told it would last indefinately as long as it is kept above 32 degrees. I rotate the cans from right side up to upside down every few months to keep the pigment moving.

[Michael R.]

Re: Lacquer availability

I am in the process of restoring my 1928 Chev Sedan. I live in northeast PA. I had no problem getting the two colors of lacquer needed from my local PPG dealer just this week.

mromano

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Lacquer availability

There are some lacquer colors already unavailable from DuPont. This is because the TONERS to make the original formula haven't been produced for years. There are substitutes available to make something very close, but not the exact formula.

Yes, lacquer will last a long time if properly stored, but storing any significant quantity presents something of a fire hazard. You may want to stash some of the slow dry thinner used for actual painting. The quick dry type used for gun cleaning or primer application will probably be around forever.

[Dave S.]

Re: Lacquer availability

Ed,
How much thinner is typically used with a gallon of paint. Something approximate will help to decide on the quantity of thinner to stache.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Lacquer availability

Dave, its been 25+ years since I painted a car with lacquer. My best recollection is that the mix is at least 1:1, if not more, especially in the last couple of coats. I'd get a couple of gallons of thinner just to be on the safe side. I'm sure someone with some more recent experience will chime in and give you the exact ratio. In any event, it's a LOT more thinner (reducer) than is used with enamels or urethanes.

[Joe R.]

Re: Lacquer availability

Guys,

Yes, it is at least 1:1. As a matter of fact, it is 1 part color to 1.75 thinner for starts. It can be adjusted either way to suit your style or spray gun. If I was going to save some thinner I would go with the recommendation of 2 gallons for every 1 gallon of color.

Saturday's 2 cents worth.

JR

[Dave S.]

Re: Lacquer availability

Thanks guys,

I have 2 gallons of each color but buying 8 gallons of thinner would turn my house an accident ready to happen. Maybe I will but 2 or 4 gallons for starters.

[Bill W.]

Re: Lacquer availability

I would buy a 5 gal drum of thinner, it can be resealed & is cheaper. 3661 and a gallon of 3602 if its hot to slow it down.

[Frank H.]

Re: Lacquer availability

I bought two gallons of Du Pont paint for my car ,one in 1985 the other in 2002 and the formula inside the taped on label is the same,meaning same toners used as the 1985 mix.Last time I asked the main store was still mixing it in small quantities.Pontiac dealer here is still using it!
Instead of saving a quality thinner ,you can buy a gallon or quart of laquer retarder which is the slowing agent added to the thinners to make it slower.
This was standard practise at the GM dealers I worked at when buying 55 gallon
drums of thinner.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Lacquer availability

SOME, perhaps most of the colors are still the same and use the same toners. At least one, Tuxedo Black, is not.

[Dick W.]

Re: Lacquer availability

Ed, in the 80's some of the mixing colors were not available. Had to rely on eye a whole lot spot painting. In the 90's a good number of the mixing colors were discontinued. Had to resort to offset colors. Ok for whole car painting most of the time, but sure hard to spot with these colors.

[Mike M.]

Re: Lacquer availability

Poppa Smurf: they were asking about liquor, not lacquer.DQ

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Lacquer availability

That's essentially the same tale I'm getting from DuPont.

[Frank H.]

Re: Lacquer availability

I bought some Roman Red two years ago and found that two toners where different from the mix I had before,I looked up the formula and found a dozen formulas listed for roman red,and it dosen't fade to orange like it always has.