Dayton,
I have to disagree on the properties of Lacquer (acrylic lacquer in any
case). It may fade and be subject to damage from brake fluid, but it is
far from brittle and if cared fore can be quite durable. The acrylic
lacquer actually never completely dries. It actually suspends the
pigment particles in the paint and that is why it tends to fade in harsh
sunlight.
The particles are drawn to the surface where they oxidize. then when
the owner polishes it, the pigments are polished away and after time, it
starts to take on a faded look. THis is particularly true of metallic
paints and the very light shades of gray, silver and blue.
Regards,
Joe
dayton carpenter wrote:
>
> Just a note on paint. Lacquer paint is a thing of the past. It is brittle,
> not durable, susceptible to fading and DOT 5 brake fluid, needs to be sanded
> and buffed between coats. It is old paint technology. Sure if you have an
> early Corvette worth mega-bucks and want to keep it OEM then go with
> lacquer.
>
> The best paint now in term of durability, appearance, etc is urethane epoxy.
> It is also resistant to DOT 5 Brake fluid.
>
> Dayton J. Carpenter, Esq.
> President of International Business and Legal Affairs
> Foundsoft Science & Technology Group
> 12 F Office Plaza World Trade Centre Zhejiang
> 15 Shuguang Road
> Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310007
> China
>
> Tele: 86-571-795-0135 ext 8011
> Fax: 86 571-795-0137
>
> >From: "Terry L. Thompson" <tlt@digex.net>
> >Reply-To: "Terry L. Thompson" <tlt@digex.net>
> >To: spitfires@autox.team.net
> >Subject: Re: LBC prejuduce sure stings
> >Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 22:22:40 -0500
> >
> >Getting ripped-off by mechanics isn't a Sexist thing. It's a "most
> >mechanics are a*sholes" thing. When I first bought my spitfire back in '96,
> >I didn't even know how to change the spark plugs...So I took to my dad's
> >mechanic.
> >
> >Within 3 months, I'd totaled $2000 in bills. In month six, I threw a rod,
> >killed the engine and searched for a new mechanic. After I started
> >replacing items on the car, I realized....What the hell did I spend $2000
> >on? Nothing was ever replaced!...
> >
> >Well, lets see here...
> >-$75 to replace the valve cover gasket.
> >-Hmmm..$90 to "re-hang" the muffler...(That was the piece of rubber tire
> >they had screwed into the rear tub of my Spitfire with machine
> >screws....Man those machine screws weren't the onlything getting screwed)
> >-Ah yes...$140 to replace my front brake pads. Must have been the gold
> >plated ones I asked for.
> >-Oh...here we go...3 months later (took it in for an oil change) $89 to
> >replace ANOTHER valve cover gasket (must be a known defect in
> >Spitfires..Anyone got a service notice on that?).
> >-And this my favorite bill...$280 to replace the timing chain and timing
> >chain cover gasket.....And I had to supply them with the gasket and chain.
> >
> >(I figure I've paid my "stupidity tax" and a few other's share as well.)
> >
> >This place is still my father's regular mechanic shop.
> >
> >People are just a-holes in general. They'll screw you any way they can if
> >you give them half a chance.
> >
> >I've also had difficulty looking for body shops. I heard of a member on the
> >Triumph mailing list that had his TR6 painted by his local high
> >school/college shop class. I believe it cost him about $200 for the paint
> >and some other "supplies". But it was perfect. If any of the students
> >flubbed anything, the teacher made them redo it. I seem to remeber it
> >taking about 6 months, but $200 for a perfect down to the metal repaint
> >isn't too bad.
> >Wouldn't hurt to inquire at your local schools to see if they have shop
> >classes in need of projects.
> >
> >I have the added difficulty on my car of it being previously "painted" by
> >the PO. In a beautiful mustard yellow (which almost passes for Inca...I
> >think he stole it from the trucks that paints the yellow lines on the
> >roads). Atleast it would be beautiful if it weren't for all of the runs and
> >paint chipping off (where he sprayed the laquer directly ontop of the
> >enamel.....and on the chrome!)
> >
> >If you think it's difficult to get someone to paint your car for under
> >$5000...just for grins, throw in that it has laquor on it and you want it
> >back to enamel.
> >I'm perfectly willing to pay $2500 for a half decent paintjob. But I get
> >laughed out of every shop when I say the magic word "laquer". None of the
> >"insurance" shops want to have to sand down all of that metal. Talk about
> >time consuming.
> >
> >You can't even just go out and buy all new major body panels and have them
> >painted, because you'll still need someone to weld them all onto your tub
> >and align them correctly. You're right back to the $10,000 "restoration"
> >shop prices when all is said and done.
> >
> >I think I'm just going to drive my car the way it is. And when the rust
> >holes start to appear, just use a little bondo and grey primer. (It'll
> >blend with all the 80's cameros in town) When you see the "sort-of inca
> >yellow" spitfire at the car shows with the Panasport rims and primer grey
> >spots all over, you can go.."Hey! That's Terry's car!"
> >
> >Terry L. Thompson
> >'76 spit 1500 ("oh...those aren't rust spots..the color is roan")
> >Maryland
> >
> >P.S. I go away for 3 days and there's 280 messages on here! You people need
> >to cut down on the caffeine!
> >
> > >LBC, after all!
> > >
> > >So, at least you're a guy going around with the car...
> > >
> > >Hang in there!
> > >
> > >Laura
> > >
> > >Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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