When did "they" switch from SS paint?

[IcedTea]

I was wondering when the switch from single stage paint to clear coat happened? I am only asking because I am going to be getting a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass from a family friend. Should I expect single stage or clear coat?

[greg0303]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

As I remember correctly it has started in the 80s, but you can still see single stage paint on some today's cars.

[Murr1525]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

Doesnt change the process or products much either way, though a polishing step is good with SS paint.

[IcedTea]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

Yes, that is the same. But from what I've read (could be wrong) oxidation on a car with a SS paint job is much less of a problem than oxidation on a car with a clear coat.

[Murr1525]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

Clear coat doesnt really oxidize.

SS oxidation can be removed like swirls or anything else if not too bad, paint isnt too thin, etc.

What looks like oxidation on a clear coat is usually either dirt or failing paint.

[greg0303]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

Yes, that is the same. But from what I've read (could be wrong) oxidation on a car with a SS paint job is much less of a problem than oxidation on a car with a clear coat.

Single stage paint is softer therefore easier to correct.

That's why products like M80 Speed Glaze or M83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish can give you great results on SS. They're great moisturizers as well.

[new2detailing]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

Many manufacturers switched from SS paint to BC/CC paint starting in the mid 1980's. However, there are still some late model cars that use SS paint. (for example a last gen Mitsubishi EVO used SS paint on some colors to reduce weight). Toyota had some SS white paint up until a couple of years ago.

I would guess it is SS, in which it should be rather easy to polish

[Michael Stoops]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

The Germans were the first with wide spread adoption of clear coats, going back to the '70s even. We just had an '86 Mercedes Benz 450SL in the garage last night with single stage blue paint, however, so they obviously hadn't transitioned everything by that point. My old '87 Chrysler Fifth Avenue had single stage paint on it, though.

The thing is, during the "transition" time it's really sort of hit and miss with regard to what has clear and what doesn't. Black, red and white were among the last colors to move to clear, but even that wasn't universally adopted. And while single stage paints tend to be "softer" than clear coats, if you've ever had to buff out a single stage white paint system, you understand what crazy hard paint is like. The pigment used in white paint is titanium dioxide, so it's almost like you're trying to polish titanium, which ain't easy!

[3Fitty]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

I think Honda still uses SS paint for their "Taffeta White". I know Toyota used SS on the red Paseo's and Celica's years back. I'm sure other manufacturers still use SS in their fleets as well.

[IcedTea]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

Lemme bump my thread. I finally got the olds, its a dark grey and the hood, roof and boot are faded. How can I tell if this is SS oxidation, or clear failure?

[Murr1525]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

Well, can post pics here of course.

Also, check out the "Clear Coat Failure Archive" thread.

To check for SS paint, you'll want to wash the car, and then apply a paint cleaner like SwirlX to a spot that is still in good shape. At first, you should pull up some gray dirt. If it is SS paint, you will pull up a much darker gray all over, even if the area is clean. If it is Clear Coat, you will pull up the dirt, and then that is it.

[BillyJack]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

On a vehicle as old as '82 it's hard to tell if its paint is original, but they did come from GM with SS paint at that time. Many GM cars had BC/CC phased in during the 80's, but the "A" bodies (Century, Ciera, Celebrity, 6000) were one of the last, having SS paint until the late 80's. Murr's idea of trying a test spot with a slightly abrasive product is an ideal way to know for sure.
BTW, this article by Mike Phillips is definitely worth the read:http://www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article
/Restoring+Single+Stage+Paint%3A+Part+1-65310.xhtml?conversationId=21363
I have used the processes in the article and consider it the ultimate tutorial on restoration of SS paint.

Bill

[Selectchoice]

Re: When did "they" switch from SS paint?

if you've ever had to buff out a single stage white paint system, you understand what crazy hard paint is like. The pigment used in white paint is titanium dioxide, so it's almost like you're trying to polish titanium, which ain't easy!

I recall a job I did a few years ago on a work truck. It was maybe 5-6 years old at the time and it had experienced the usual work truck neglect, but the white single stage paint was truly something else.

I was flat out with the heaviest pressure I could use with my rotary polisher, W4000 wool pad and M84 (it was a few years back remember). I couldn't even put a swirl in with the pad, let alone buff any out. Quite an experience that was, and a good lesson in quoting a job by the hour. I remember cursing the owner who had promised me it only required a "simple tickle up" to correct.

In the end, after more than a fair degree of frustration and a whole lot of sweat it came out fine, but the fact I still remember it today tells a whole lot about single stage white!