8 replies to this topic

[jrabenius]

I did some research, and found this information on Devilbis' site.

Nitrocellulose Lacquer: in the 1920's, several paint manufacturers were involved in the development of nitrocellulose lacquers. This paint had rapid drying and low viscosity properties, and was applied with air pressure through a spray gun leaving a hard dry finish in approximately one hour.

Synthetic Enamel: In the mid 1930's, a new and completely different type of paint was developed, the alkyd or synthetic enamels. It proved to have superior qualities in film strength, adhesion, lustre, flexibility and durability over all previous paints. The resin base was developed from the reaction between phthalic anhydride and glycerin, with gums, oils and plasticizers added during the manufacturing process a drying oil such as linseed, a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerine, and a dibasic acid, such as Phthalic Anhydride. It dries by solvent evaporation, like the lacquer paints, but the resin remains soft and sticky when no solvents are present. It cures to a hard finish by absorption of oxygen from the air. The curing process can be accelerated by heat, and several methods of baking enamel were developed. Unlike lacquer, when dry, it needs no polishing to produce a high lustre finish.

Acrylic Lacquer: As time passed, chemists developed a substitute for nitrocellulose lacquer, using an acrylic resin as a base. The resins used in acrylic lacquer tend to be slightly brittle. This deficiency is overcome by the use of a plasticizer (a liquid that is a solvent for these resins and softens them slightly). A cellulosic resin is any resin derived from cellulose (pure cotton). Acrylic lacquer was used extensively by General Motors.

Acrylic Enamel: During the late 1960's and early 1970's, technology brought on the development of acrylic enamel, which was harder and more durable. Chemically, it is a cousin to synthetic enamel, but is modified with acrylic resin, and is not soft and sticky with no solvents present. It cures further with the absorption of oxygen from the air. Unlike the lacquers, which remain soluble in solvents, the enamel family is insoluble in solvent when cured. An acrylic resin is chemically any polymer whose basic monomers are chemical derivatives of acrylic acid.

Polyurethane Enamel: In the mid 1970's, polyurethane enamel was developed to withstand the severe stress of high speed airplane surfaces, which are subject to rapid temperature changes and flexing. This paint was much more durable than the acrylic enamels.

Acrylic Urethane Enamel: Acrylic urethane enamels were developed to withstand environmental elements, such as acid rain and ultra violet rays. It is the most durable paint to date.

I have been using (spray can) lacquer paint from Ace Hardware for years on different projects like mountain bike frames and JEEP parts. It has proven to be more durable than enamel spray paint.

I am using Flat Black Lacquer paint from Ace Hardware on my BT-4. It is almost an exact match for the factory black finish, and has withstood all the abuse I could give it. It has not scratched or rubbed off (yet).

[jrabenius]

. . . And do not forget . . .

THE SOLVENTS IN LACQUER PAINT WILL LIFT AN ENAMEL FINISH, that is why you can't paint Lacquer over enamel.

Enamel will not lift Lacquer. YOU CAN PAINT ENAMEL OVER LACQUER.

John

[Phoenix8936]

And Urethanes will lift Laquers...

[The_Original_Modifier]

That's handy info to have! Thanks guys!


And thanks to whoever pinned it, makes it easier to find it once I loose the print out of it again, lol.

Mod

[jrabenius]

Phoenix8936, on Jul 1 2008, 04:38 PM, said:

And Urethanes will lift Laquers...

Reminds me of "Rock, Paper, Scissors . . . "

[BRIK]

Fantastic info...

[Phoenix8936]

jrabenius, on Jul 1 2008, 07:02 PM, said:

Reminds me of "Rock, Paper, Scissors . . . "

LOL.... Yeah  paint can be sorta confusing..I deal with Automotive paint everyday and man you dang near got to be a chemist to fully understand this stuff....

                   I sure wish i paid a little more attention in chemistry and art class back in school...

[Gryphon]

Great Info Thanks! Just what I needed to complete my  BT baby.
Now where can I find matt brown, matt green, matt khaki and maybe a little neon pink for fun!
Hehe.
The last paint we tried got lifted by the paint in the balls!!! LOL
Thanks again for the info this will help.

[DRUNKENMOOSE]

thanks for the info,gunna paint my DE next week