Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

[jim34671]

I'm planning on painting my '70 Coupe.
(Now Steels City Grey since '71...to be put back to original Donneybrook Green)
I'm not a body/paint expert,so I'm at a loss as to whether to have it painted
using Base/Clear or Acrylic/Laquer.
I've heard lots of different opinions from both.
The car is a good original weekend survivor.
Aside from the enviromental and availability issues pertaining to Acrylic/Laquer,...I ask your best opinions on this.

While on the paint/body issue,..I have the inherit signs of rivet heads showing
on my headlamp support ahead of the hood.
I look at the complexity of the headlamp installation and cringe at the thought of all this possibly having to come out.
It's a no-hit car and EVERYTHING works great..headlamps and even washers.
What's the best way to go about this one?
Full headlamp/brace removal?....
I have heard about repairing from the skin side as well.
Is there a permanent fix to this rivet head problem.
I will have everything done professionally,so fire away with your expertise!
Thx
Jim

[Tom B.]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

I'm sure you will get many responses on this. Of course laquer is the only correct paint. But it is getting harder to get and to find someone to spray it. I like to spray laquer but then I still have 8 tracks too. No doubt that the new products are more durable and flexible. It will depend on how original you want to go. I'm sure judges can tell the difference.

It seems like I just saw a book advertised on how to get an original looking finish with modern materials. Now that would be something to think about. Might have been in the back of the new Driveline.

Tom

[Tom B.]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

I'm sure you will get many responses on this. Of course laquer is the only correct paint. But it is getting harder to get and to find someone to spray it. I like to spray laquer but then I still have 8 tracks too. No doubt that the new products are more durable and flexible. It will depend on how original you want to go. I'm sure judges can tell the difference.

It seems like I just saw a book advertised on how to get an original looking finish with modern materials. Now that would be something to think about. Might have been in the back of the new Driveline.

Tom

[Karl #35089]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

Jim: You say "have it painted" so I assume you are taking it somewhere and having it done. In my opinion, picking a shop experienced with corvettes is probably even more important than that paint system you use.

That said, paint system selection really comes down to intended results - or use of the car. If originality is the goal (judging and/or maintaining originality of an otherwise very original car) then lacquer is where it's at. If you are slicking the body anyway and want the deep gloss, etc. then bc/cc is probably an easier way out. You are the only one that can decide what's right for your car.

The header rivet repair is common and any experienced corvette body shop should have no problem with it. -Karl

[Karl #35089]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

Jim: You say "have it painted" so I assume you are taking it somewhere and having it done. In my opinion, picking a shop experienced with corvettes is probably even more important than that paint system you use.

That said, paint system selection really comes down to intended results - or use of the car. If originality is the goal (judging and/or maintaining originality of an otherwise very original car) then lacquer is where it's at. If you are slicking the body anyway and want the deep gloss, etc. then bc/cc is probably an easier way out. You are the only one that can decide what's right for your car.

The header rivet repair is common and any experienced corvette body shop should have no problem with it. -Karl

[Christopher R.]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

If lacquer is getting more scarce, how do you repair it 10+ years from now? Would you have to strip and repaint the whole car for a parking lot ding?

[Christopher R.]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

If lacquer is getting more scarce, how do you repair it 10+ years from now? Would you have to strip and repaint the whole car for a parking lot ding?

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

Jim,

-----As I sit here in semi-cold Michigan your question made me think of this question in a different way.I have a partially customized Sububurban that we painted back in 1995 with base-clear.Use it for towing,mostly.Because Im a nut-case with too many cars my"tow truck"sits out year around and it is still in pretty much show condition.I rarely do anything other than wash it.Not even a cover.Has 135,000 miles on it.Inside my garage,covered up,sits our body-off resto 66 done correctly with laquer.Im scared to leave it outside for a night because of deterioration problems.I cant rest my hand on it because it leaves scratches.Im constantly polishing it.This current laquer is not as robust as the laquers of old.No,I didnt loose any"points"when judged(got a gold),but I know Im not using the car as much as I would like.Would I paint it laquer again?NO NO NO,never again!!!!!!!

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

Jim,

-----As I sit here in semi-cold Michigan your question made me think of this question in a different way.I have a partially customized Sububurban that we painted back in 1995 with base-clear.Use it for towing,mostly.Because Im a nut-case with too many cars my"tow truck"sits out year around and it is still in pretty much show condition.I rarely do anything other than wash it.Not even a cover.Has 135,000 miles on it.Inside my garage,covered up,sits our body-off resto 66 done correctly with laquer.Im scared to leave it outside for a night because of deterioration problems.I cant rest my hand on it because it leaves scratches.Im constantly polishing it.This current laquer is not as robust as the laquers of old.No,I didnt loose any"points"when judged(got a gold),but I know Im not using the car as much as I would like.Would I paint it laquer again?NO NO NO,never again!!!!!!!

[John M.]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

A wise person would keep some material from the repaint for future repairs, regardless of which paint system is used! I have two quarts of roman red and one quart of ermine white lacquer for my 60 just in case. John

[John M.]

Re: Base-Clear vs Acrylic Laquer

A wise person would keep some material from the repaint for future repairs, regardless of which paint system is used! I have two quarts of roman red and one quart of ermine white lacquer for my 60 just in case. John

[Jack H.]

Ditto!

I had an extra gallon mixed for my '65 BB. About 10 years after the original spray, I had an 'opps' that required the front center nose section to be repaired. I defy anyone to look and define where the painter stopped blending!

Good painters can do wonders IF you give them the original color to work with. The trick is storing residual paint in cans that approximate the volume of the paint (don't leave extra air space inside), thump down the lid SOLIDLY, then invert the can for 6-months so whatever seal breaches fill, set, and plug with paint. She'll keep almost indefinetly that way!

[Jack H.]

Ditto!

I had an extra gallon mixed for my '65 BB. About 10 years after the original spray, I had an 'opps' that required the front center nose section to be repaired. I defy anyone to look and define where the painter stopped blending!

Good painters can do wonders IF you give them the original color to work with. The trick is storing residual paint in cans that approximate the volume of the paint (don't leave extra air space inside), thump down the lid SOLIDLY, then invert the can for 6-months so whatever seal breaches fill, set, and plug with paint. She'll keep almost indefinetly that way!

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Ditto!

------Unless it freezes,Jack!!!!Then I think its pretty much toast.Am I right.Not sure......Bill S

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Ditto!

------Unless it freezes,Jack!!!!Then I think its pretty much toast.Am I right.Not sure......Bill S