What type of paint do I have?

[Shakadula]

My black paint is about 16 years old on my 50 year old car. I took a white cloth with acetone and rubbed an area that has not been waxed and nothing came off on the cloth. I also tried a red shop rag and again, nothing. So am I correct in assuming that I don't have enamel or lacquer paint? Was acetone the right solvent to use?

Now I need to figure out if I have urethane or base coat/clear coat. Do I really need to sand an area to check for base coat/clear coat? I don't trust youtube or the internet but I will trust this forum.

Thanks.

[The Guz]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

One way to test is to use a polish or compound in one area and if you see paint transfer on the applicator then it is not base coat/clear coat and what is referred to as single stage paint. If no paint shows up on the paint then it is safe to assume it is base coat/clear coat.

[Shakadula]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

I tried meguiar's medium compound inside the door jam and no black paint came off onto the light color cloth. So by default should I assume that I have base coat clear coat. Is there a way to be sure?

[The Guz]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

Try it on a small area of the exterior paint.

[Lydia]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

I second Michael. It doesn't take too much rubbing with a compound, in my experience, before you'll start to see the color show up (especially since it's black). Sanding shouldn't be needed at all.

Are you trying to find out for a particular reason, or just to know?

[Shakadula]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

The reason is this car has not seen water in over 10 years and polish and wax was about 3 years ago. Just a bunch of spray wax for cleaning with a calif car duster weekly.

I have swirls ans scratches and would like to be sure of what cleaners to use. I have Meguiar's cleaner/wax but wonder if that is really any good. I think I would prefer a cleaner then polish then wax system but am unsure. I want to learn about sealers as well. Like are they necessary.

From reading the forums, it appears that I need to be careful on what compound to use depending on what type of paint is on the car and I better not wet sand if I don't have a clearcoat. Hence, my novice, rookie questions. And yes, I really want to learn about this stuff and not screw up even one time.

Thanks for the reply.

[The Guz]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

A cleaner wax can only do so much. A dedicated compound and/or polish will net one better results. So it really comes down to the test spot to see how the paint responds.

You have the option of using the ultimate trio (compound, polish and wax). They are paint safe but produce good results. Better results if using a dual action polisher.

Ultimate Wax is a paint sealant. Essentially a synthetic wax = paint sealant. They offer longer and more durable protection. They may not look as good as a caranuba but ultimate wax is pretty darn close. It is completely up to the user which form of protection to use. Some like a carnauba and like to wax often. Some like the paint sealant route.

[the other pc]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

Hi, Shakadula, welcome aboard.

The first thing you need to do is raise your right hand and repeat after me, "I, Shakadula, solemnly swear that I will never, EVER touch my paint with a red shop rag ever again."

Seriously, they're abrasive as heck. That's why they're good for wiping grease off you hands and wrenches. But they'll destroy your paint. Microfiber is a detailer's best friend.

Lydia and Guz have already given sound advice. So I'll just touch on a couple things.

The solvent test can work for lacquers but not enamels.

Your paint is enamel. All non-lacquer automotive finishes are enamels, whether single stage or base/clear. Older enamels were generally solvent borne acrylics. Newer ones are almost exclusively catalyzed polyurethanes. As your paint was shot 16 years ago, it's most likely a catalyzed urethane. Solvent borne acrylics were still available back then, in some areas (not here in California), but most painters had switched over by then.

At this point it's not particularly important which you have. What's important is how it responds, how workable it is. You'll find that by doing your test spots.

Both single stage and base/clear finishes are commonly sanded and buffed after initial shooting, before final delivery to the customer. Like Lydia said, you should not need to sand. That's really, really, really bad, but sadly all too common, internet advice. Luckily, you dodged that bullet.

Meg's Cleaner/Wax is a good product, but very mild. Unless your paint is very soft, it's not likely to remove scratches and swirls.

As a car that's 50 years old and never gets washed, I'm guessing it's a weekend toy and mostly garaged? If that's the case, the durability of sealants isn't so much of an issue as it would be for a daily driver that sits outside all the time.

[Shakadula]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

Geezzz. I just spent so much time responding to my thread only to be told i needed to refresh the page even though i was still logged in with all permissions. I refreshed and lost my post. Frustrating. Later.

[Nick Winn]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

Geezzz. I just spent so much time responding to my thread only to be told i needed to refresh the page even though i was still logged in with all permissions. I refreshed and lost my post. Frustrating. Later.

We are sorry to hear about the trouble. Forum functionality definitely can be frustrating for everyone at times. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

[Shakadula]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

Trying again....i promise never to use red shop towels again.

Lacquer paint sounds right so I'll go with that.

I run the car when it's not raining and whenever I can. It is in no way a daily driver and is garaged and covered when not in use. My real problem with the paint is on the hood and trunk. Sides look new.

So I have Meguiers mirror glaze #1 and Meguiers ultimate compound. I think the mirror glaze is too harsh so I will try the ultimate compound. Then the Meguiers ultimate polish. Any suggestions on wax? I will figure out using my DA or not. Maybe I will use the DA on the polish step. I am too afraid on the compound step.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[HCAD]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

All this conversation about the paint and nothing about the car!? I'm curious to know what it is. And do you know anything about the guy who painted it? Was it a national chain like Maaco or a local body shop? Was there significant body work, repair, done before the repaint? It's not likely that you run into problems polishing with the Meguiar's products, unless you pull out an old rotary polisher from the shelf, but if it was a less than stellar repaint you would want to be less aggressive. If you don't know anything about the quality of the repaint it's best to start with the Ultimate Polish.

Finish with Ultimate Wax or Meguiar's #26, your preference at this point.

[Old Bear]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

HCAD
I think this is a 1967 Buick Skylark GS/400 Convertible.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mu...0/1730137.html

We haven't seen an image of this actual car yet. They were stylish cars, and with the 400, they performed well. Not quite 67 GTO, yet very respectably.

[Old Bear]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

When doing restoration work, it is not uncommon for us to keep a binder with receipts. We never go add them up, or the $ grand total scares us. Especially if the spouse might ask for the number. Yet, we still keep those receipts. Any chance you can find that 16 year old receipt and see if there is a couple of lines for material costs? That might be a big hint for you on what type of paint was used.

[Shakadula]

Re: What type of paint do I have?

No deal on receipts and the shop that painted it is out of business. The shop was a Buick Pontiac and OLDs dealership with one hell of a bodyshop.

Pics will have to wait. They want a URL. Really. Insert image is provide a URL . I will have to work on that one.