anyone know what manufacturers make a good lacquer paint??
Would like to paint the 2 part urethane paint, but I guess you need a fresh air system to use these?? Boy, they sure seem to be trying to phase out the do-it-yourselfer here...anyone have experience with these urethane paints?? Are they really that toxic that a particulate style respirator isnt good enuff??

 

Dont fool yourself..any auto paint is not good for you. The iso (active ingredient) in urethane paints is nastier though. The mfg's substituted high VOC ingredients with lower VOC catalyzed products..better for the environment and worse for you. Some use it with a good respirator successfully..changing the filters for each paint 'session'. Ive done this but not anymore. Some cartridges (if you can find them) are rated for this. Factor the air system into the price of the job. And a suit and hood. Invest in you. And you can either sell it and get some money back or keep it for future stuff(cars,drywall, woodworking, etc). This stuff was never really meant for the DIY'er anyway. Regardless of what material you paint with, you really should be taking the same precautions anyway.

The PPG base(DBU)/clear(DBC) is the best system IMHO...especially for the DIY'er...very forgiving. There are other products/systems that dont contain iso's, but they dont work as well...or so i've heard.

Check autobodystore.com for air systems..they have the best prices i've found. The Hobby air II (which i have) works great.


[Modified by SteveA, 8:14 PM 5/16/2002]


[Modified by SteveA, 8:16 PM 5/16/2002]

 

I concur! Being an ex-auto painter, these can be very harmful to you if you don't wear the right protection. It shortens your life span! :cry


[Modified by kgraumann, 2:20 PM 5/16/2002]

 

Hey Tramp - due to the current emissions laws, I don't think anyone is making lacquer paints for the DIY market - and it's hard to find in the pro shops, too, because of the restrictions they have on evaporatives from their vents. SteveA is right - you've got to get some serious respirators for these new paints, but they are also a lot easier to work with, IMO. If you are talking a base coat / clear coat system, they've pretty much eliminated sanding between coats and the dry time is in minutes, not hours. You can paint a whole car in a day if you want to, color and clear. Just follow the instructions! Lots of opinions on brands, but PPG has a good following here, and I've seen and worked with several cars using the Sherwin-Williams Ultra 7000 system. Just buy the whole system from one manufacturer - don't mix brands. Good luck!

 

Some states may restrict use of certain paints in the aftermarket sector but at least in New York that has not happened. RM paints Dupont PPG all sell Lacquer paints through their Jobbers. The cans are labeled "for professional use only" for a reason. One other small point... NO Resperator will filter out all the poly-isocynate's used for urathane systems. They are like lead in the fact your body retains them. When you reach a toxic level you will know it. I've worked with people that were over exposed. If I was to open a can of hardener in another room they could have a severe reaction ...not be able to breath!
Good luck , but some things are better left to the professionals.

 

I was still able to buy lacquer from Dupont from my local supplier. It looks like they will continue to produce it but in small amounts and in limited colors. My car is black and they still carried it. You could also check out House of Kolor on the net. They show that they still carry lacquer paint and a quick call should confirm it. I also didn't want to shoot urethanes due to the hazards. I've shot a lot of lacquer on my car but have also made sure that I used a good respirator with new cartridges each time. So far I'm still breathing. Good luck.

 

I sell Dupont paint for a living and it is the best IMHO. We still sell some lacquer but since they took the lead out of it the durabulity is not what it once was. I would reccomend BC/CC. I totally agree that these paints are very dangerous but treated with care they can be safe to use. As far as a charcoal cartridge respirator, according to 3M (one of the world's largest suppliers of protective respirators) they are effective to use with Isos if the mask is fit tested and the cartidges are not spent. I personally do not have a supplied air system but I do wear a mask while handlng paint products. Very few of my customers use supplied air and they spray this stuff every day.Some guys have so little reguard for their health that I even have to remind them to change their cartridges.Good Luck, Craig :chevy