Terry,
Sorry I've taken so long to reply to this. Been busy/otherwise occupied. OK,
here are my thoughts on 2 pack vs Acrylic.
I'm not a professional spray painter, although I did do a short stint in a
crash shop where I learned the basics. I've painted quite a few cars over
the years without "proper" facilities and have always used acrylic - until I
tried 2 pack. Never went back.
I guess my experiences with each type are best summed up as follows:
Acrylic Advantages
Cheap to buy materials
Easy to spray
Polishes easily
Relatively safe to work with
Acrylic Disadvantages
Savage solvents - can make existing layers underneath "fry up" on edges
Must be polished to get a good gloss - no good for door shuts and engine
bays (coat of clear can help)
Shrinkage - over time repairs underneath can tend to show through -
papermarks etc.
Poor Durability - does not handle weather at all - needs to be constantly
re-polished to keep it nice
Softness - will be attacked by fuel and other solvents (eventually if not
straight away)
2 pack Advantages
Very little shrinkage - no papermarks or repairs showing up later
Solvents are not as savage - you can paint over existing substrates without
problems
Excellent gloss "off the gun" - great for door shuts and engine bays
Very hard finish - impervious to fuel, brake fluid and paint thinners
Dries quick - can work on the car next day (same day if you have a heated
booth)
Excellent Durability - lasts for ages in extreme conditions - no dulling off
2 pack Disadvantages
Expensive materials
Dangerous to use
Much harder to polish (ideally you shouldn't have to)
I reckon in future I would still use 2 pack and try to do all the prep work
myself and then tee up someone to spray the 2 pack top coat in a booth, as
it is nasty stuff, and it is difficult (impossible) to replicate the job you
get with a good clean heated spray booth.
I did my car in 2 pack, then cut it back and polished it up just like
acrylic, as I found it is almost impossible to get a finish free of
contamination when you don't use a booth. Orange peel can be severe too.
This method works great if you don't mind putting in the effort with the
polisher. Although 2 pack is generally designed to be left as it comes "off
the gun". A friend of mine has started using this method too. He is a real
polishing nut and the results he has obtained are nothing short of stunning.
If anyone tries 2 pack spraying themselves without a booth please be sure
to only spray outdoors away from anyone else and use a quality mask with the
correct grade of cartridge (the manufacturers recommend a fully enclosed
mask with pressure fed breathing air).
I hear that they are working on water based vehicle paints now. Maybe one
day we will have access to environmentally friendly and safe to use paints
that have all the advantages of 2 pack! (dunno, I reckon I'd be paranoid
about driving it in the rain!)
Apparently "solvent free" paints are also being tried. Bit like powder
coating. I guess the DIY crew will be stuffed without a booth then...
PL
PS: Avoid cheap paints - you will pay in the long run!
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Terry & Heather
Sent: Thursday, 1 June 2000 22:38
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: PAINT JOB
Pete,
Why not post the info & experiences to the list - i for one would be
interested
in paint stuff as I and prolly a lot of others have always left paint to
someone else as it is supposed to be in the hard basket. A bit of variety
away
from mechanical & techno stuff can't hurt.
just a thought
Terry
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