I THINK the urethane was a clear coat after the color. I may be wrong. My Dad had is truck painted with a type of urethane, like 20+ yrs. ago, before base clear, and it peeled off. Seth
Dont know the scientific difference but I believe the urethan makes it more flexable which in turn, makes it better.
Enamal paint is just glorified house paint and pretty much out dated compaired to new urethane paints. Enamal paints had almost no shine even from day one they took forever to dry, and most of the time where just single stage paints (no clear coat). Urethane paints are pretty much the standard now they can be mixed single,2,3 or as many stages as you want most are base/clear tho. They have more shine, are more durable, use a catylist and dry in a matter of hours. If your wondering what paint to use use enamal if you want the factory look that has about the same shine a brick has other wise use Urethane.
I like to consider the paint differences as more of a timeline. 1950 - Synthtic enamel. Gave the car a shiny color but not much protection. 1965 - Acrylic enamel. An improvement over synthetic in gloss and durability. 1975 - Urethane enamel. Very glossy and very durable. 1985 - Base/Clear. Gave the car the same durability as single stage urethane but with added repairability. Also added the ability to colorsand metallics. In my opinion, all of these paints give a good gloss out of the gun. Lacquers needed to be buffed to get a good shine. Larry
John, acrylic enamel is basically a single stage paint that you add a "wet" look additive to when mixing it up,it can be heat cured but at a higher temp than 2 stage paints. the acrylic ureathane is a 2 stage clear paint that has a catalist in the clear and is heat cured at lower temps and dries faster usually about 120-150 degrees at about 30 mins. the single stage looks good for few years but is unforgiving as far as buffing. the ureathane systems are very forgiving and look good for many years,if they start to fade or dull,just wet sand and rebuff for a brillant luster. I use the 2 stage systems and have had good luck with these paints. hope this helps with my simplified explanantion.
that helps. I am trying to gather information for future projects (Adam's car for his 16th b-day) man I am getting old I am really using the yellow maverick as a learning curve for his car. I want to make as many mistakes with this one (I learn better that way ) so when it comes time for him and I to start on his car, things will go as smooth as possible. So, can you clear acrylic enamal? I have heard yes and no :confused:
good luck John, you might try getting some scrap metal...say a bashed up hood or fender and practice on these pieces and get the feel for the paint,you can let it dry and practice some more.
I just got done painting one of mine with acrylic urethane on the last coat I mixed clear in with the paint 50/50 mix it gave it depth like crazy . Hope this helped Chris
