just curious....why do some paints have lacquer?

[markbigears]

just sitting here watching "sink the bismark".......
mark

[plotloss]

I have always thought it was for ease of spraying finish but I could be way off the mark.

Matt.

[david010167]

As far as I know laquer is used on Metallic paint as a second layer to protect it. The Metallic paint is thin compared to normal paint and hence needs the lacquer.


The question that springs to my mind is: is the metalic paint thin because it has to be, or because the Metallic paint is expensive and it is cheaper to give a clear coat on top.

David M5 TVR

>> Edited by david010167 on Wednesday 7th August 13:53

[steve-p]

Metallic paint has a lot of umm, metallic particles in it. That means that with just the paint, the surface isn't smooth, and actually it has a matt finish and is quite easily damaged. You used to see this phenomenon on some uncatalysed TVRs where the lacquer coat had been eroded near the exhaust by the combinination of heat and unburnt fuel-rich fumes, leaving the same colour underneath but with a matt finish. The hard clear lacquer coat over the top is what makes it shiny.

[zippy500]

But my car is metallic and it has no laquer. I think now a days metallic paints are a lot harder so dont need a laquer. If in doubt ask a painter

[markbigears]

I didn't realise it was only metallic paint finishes that had a lacquer coat? sure ive seen solid colours with it on?

[Paceracing]

You're right they do. Red is nearly always laquered these days as it blooms badly. Most new cars have what is called 'base over clear', which is a clear coat of laquer over the base colour, even if the paint is non-metallic.

Jas

[incorrigible]

Zippy,

if you 're on about your griff, it does have laquer

Also, for the record, you can get "single coat" (although you put on more than one coat (obviously ?)) as well as "clear over base" metalics but they're not as shiny (wheel silver for example)

[Tony Hall]

Don't know why but i feel permanently laquered at the moment, maybe it's the heat!