Lacquer Paint

[Rex T.]

After having read several posts to the DB over the past year regarding the concern for the demise of lacquer paints, and since I work for the Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation, I have inquired with our corporate offices to see just how much longer we will be manufacturing lacquer paints. Obviously with the new urethane and clear coat technology, in addition to the fact that government regulations are putting the small shops in a bind because of emissions regulations, lacquer probably won't be around much longer. I explained to our Marketing people that the antique car restoration hobby can continue to support minimal lacquer sales.

Please forgive me if this is not the right place to ask this question, but what are your thoughts on the future demand for lacquer paints in our hobby? It does seem that my company has some interest, however minimal, in continuing support of this product line, if sales can justify it. I am interested in any feedback you can give me, which will be fed back to our marketing people. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Rex Turner #8089

[Rex T.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

I can also be contacted at rkturner@sherwin.com

[Rex T.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

I can also be contacted at rkturner@sherwin.com

[Patrick H.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

Rex,

As you know, given the chance I'm going to paint my 66 coupe and eventually 71 coupe in lacquer.

The "urban legend" however is that "all the good stuff" (i.e. solvents and other aromatics) that made lacquer "good" just "aren't in there any more" and that the currently available paint is significantly inferior to what you could buy 15 to 20 years ago.

I know you and I discussed other variations of the formula, but does this "urban legend" have any basis in fact?

And yes, I'd always like to keep painting my restored Corvettes in lacquer. At the age of 34, I've likely got a few more in me.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Lacquer Paint

Rex,

As you know, given the chance I'm going to paint my 66 coupe and eventually 71 coupe in lacquer.

The "urban legend" however is that "all the good stuff" (i.e. solvents and other aromatics) that made lacquer "good" just "aren't in there any more" and that the currently available paint is significantly inferior to what you could buy 15 to 20 years ago.

I know you and I discussed other variations of the formula, but does this "urban legend" have any basis in fact?

And yes, I'd always like to keep painting my restored Corvettes in lacquer. At the age of 34, I've likely got a few more in me.

Patrick

[Tom Wander]

Re: Lacquer Paint

Lacquer paint is perfect for both those that want to be original and for do-it-yourselfers. Applying an original finish speaks for itself. For the DIY people the ease of use, minimal equipment required and ease of correcting "mistakes" makes lacquer the only viable solution. The problem that you have with your post is that only about 200-300 people view this board as indicated by the "views" number shown on posts. Since there are about 15,000 paid members I would think that soliciting help (input) from the readers of Driveline or the Restorer would be a better forum. Maybe NCRS will help you use those publications to build support. I hope so.

Tom

[Tom Wander]

Re: Lacquer Paint

Lacquer paint is perfect for both those that want to be original and for do-it-yourselfers. Applying an original finish speaks for itself. For the DIY people the ease of use, minimal equipment required and ease of correcting "mistakes" makes lacquer the only viable solution. The problem that you have with your post is that only about 200-300 people view this board as indicated by the "views" number shown on posts. Since there are about 15,000 paid members I would think that soliciting help (input) from the readers of Driveline or the Restorer would be a better forum. Maybe NCRS will help you use those publications to build support. I hope so.

Tom

[Tom Wander]

P.S.

Since Corvettes are not the only cars that used lacquer, hopefully the users of this board that are members of other groups will solicit support from their members. John H. are you listening?

Tom

[Tom Wander]

P.S.

Since Corvettes are not the only cars that used lacquer, hopefully the users of this board that are members of other groups will solicit support from their members. John H. are you listening?

Tom

[Duke W.]

Re: P.S.

I have an acquaintence who is the PPG factory rep to Toyota. He's also a restorer - has a '64 El Camino he painted himself (catalyzed enamel), and it's incredibly nice.

He says that PPG would like to discontinue lacquer, but too many "hot rodders" still want it. No doubt this demand will wane with time, but for the near term, it looks like lacquer availability will continue.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: P.S.

I have an acquaintence who is the PPG factory rep to Toyota. He's also a restorer - has a '64 El Camino he painted himself (catalyzed enamel), and it's incredibly nice.

He says that PPG would like to discontinue lacquer, but too many "hot rodders" still want it. No doubt this demand will wane with time, but for the near term, it looks like lacquer availability will continue.

Duke

[John H.]

Re: P.S.

Tom -

The other side of my hobby (1st-Generation '67-'69 Camaros) doesn't judge paint relative to whether it "appears to be lacquer" - only on whether it matches a chip and is the original color as indicated on the cowl trim tag, so BC/CC is generally the material of choice for those guys; slightly different judging philosophy.

[John H.]

Re: P.S.

Tom -

The other side of my hobby (1st-Generation '67-'69 Camaros) doesn't judge paint relative to whether it "appears to be lacquer" - only on whether it matches a chip and is the original color as indicated on the cowl trim tag, so BC/CC is generally the material of choice for those guys; slightly different judging philosophy.

[Mike G.]

And shouldn't we consider a change?

I don't see the need for a requirement of lacquer. If the paint ain't original, then it ain't original . . . even if it's repainted in lacquer! And in my NCRS dues-paying opinion, requiring lacquer is environmentally irresponsible. Not only are the VOCs per gallon way, way higher than today's alternatives, lacquer requires many more gallons to paint the car in the first place, since most of us color sand at so many stages of the paint job. And how many of these paint jobs are performed in garages with no air filtering whatsoever?

Now, I've heard the argument that our hobby is so small that it has no real environmental impact, so what's the big deal? I consider this to be the same as saying, "Yeah, we need to clean the air, but not if it affects ME." Agree or not, at least think about it.

- Mike Greene

[Mike G.]

And shouldn't we consider a change?

I don't see the need for a requirement of lacquer. If the paint ain't original, then it ain't original . . . even if it's repainted in lacquer! And in my NCRS dues-paying opinion, requiring lacquer is environmentally irresponsible. Not only are the VOCs per gallon way, way higher than today's alternatives, lacquer requires many more gallons to paint the car in the first place, since most of us color sand at so many stages of the paint job. And how many of these paint jobs are performed in garages with no air filtering whatsoever?

Now, I've heard the argument that our hobby is so small that it has no real environmental impact, so what's the big deal? I consider this to be the same as saying, "Yeah, we need to clean the air, but not if it affects ME." Agree or not, at least think about it.

- Mike Greene