Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

[HK77]

Hi All,
I live in a country where people don't speak english. I had my car did the paint job last year and the paint shop said they put a lacquer finish on top because the colour is Pearl White. I went to that paint shop quite often during that days and had seen that the one they called "Lacquer" is some transparent Gel like liquid which they used as a final step to spray onto the paint. In my country, all body shops just use the word "Lacquer" for that last finish. So, I want to make sure whether these 2 are the same?
Next, I want to know whether all metallic/Pearl colours have to be clear coated/lacquer coated? Why? He said Pearl colour can't be single stage. Is it true?

Thanks In Advance,
77

[VonLego]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

Sounds like they're using lacquer as a term meaning clean coat yes. Is it really a "lacquer?" No, not to my understanding.

Just a guess on the reason they can't be single stage-- their paint needs to be set carefully with the extra detail inside the paint itself. If you went to detail a single stage metalic car, and ended up with metal flakes on your pad... that would be a bad thing both for the paint and for the fact it will scratch your paint like none other.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

Go back and kindly ask to see the paint can and write down what's on the label.

They could be using lacquer paints and they could be using lacquer as a simplified term for a clear layer. Getting the information off the label of the can would tell us exactly.

Also, find out where they buy their paint supplies, chances are good they'll have more inventory and you can ask them what they normally sell the body shop.

In the U.S. we have government regulations that decide what can and cannot be sprayed. If you're country doesn't have an EPA or something similar they could in fact be spraying lacquer.

[seth1066]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

Next, I want to know whether all metallic/Pearl colours have to be clear coated/lacquer coated? Why? He said Pearl colour can't be single stage. Is it true?

Modern metallics have a clear coat to protect metallic content, as mentioned, and for reflective shine as well as hardness.

Pearl colors are generally three stages, base coat, the actual pearl coat, followed by a clear coat. The clear coat is neccessary because the pearl by itself has no real gloss to it, is too soft to buff and any paint removal by a buffing process changes the color effect
that was the result of it being layed on in conjunction with the base coat.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

And just to add to what Seth posted, there are modern paint systems and traditional paint systems and both styles can be used for Metallic/Pearl paint jobs.

I know first hand because the first car I painted I sprayed lacquer paint and it was a Pearl blue over white with multiple layers of lacquer clear.

Because some countries don't have the stringent regulations the United States has in place for V.O.C. emissions it's "possible" that your painter could be using old-fashioned solvent-evaporation lacquer paints, but more than likely he's using the term lacquer but what he's spraying is some type of catalyzed urethane.

That's where the label off the can would give you the exact type of paint system.

[VonLego]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

So does that mean that lacquer paint is dead in the US? No car can possibly get painted in that fashion again?

Whats the difference between an lacquer and modern single stage paints?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

So does that mean that lacquer paint is dead in the US? No car can possibly get painted in that fashion again?

Whats the difference between an lacquer and modern single stage paints?

I'm definitely not an expert on the laws and regulations as they pertain to what's legal and what's not legal and different states/counties can have different laws and regulations.

Also, what a body shop can do and what you as a hobbyist can do on a Saturday in your garage are two different things.

Lacquer paint is still available, it's just not always legal for come entities to spray.

Maybe someone with more expertise in this area can chime in with more information...

[seth1066]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

The Clean Air Act of 1990 killed off the remaining commercial use of true high solvent content laquer. Sometime before this many manufacturers had switched to acrylic enamel. What's allowed commercially is based on how much VOC is released. Spray cans can get under the laquer guidelines for some reason, thankfully, because the new paints don't "rattle can" spray very well. I think the factory touch up sticks may be laquer also.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

The Clean Air Act of 1990 killed off the remaining commercial use of true high solvent content lacquer.

And this is how and why hobbyist can still get away with spraying lacquer paint jobs in their garage.

I've seen ads in Hemming's Motor News for years for a company that sells traditional lacquer paints just for hobbyist and there's also classified ads for the same thing.

Last I checked in Oregon I could still get lacquer paint at a PBE store, not sure about California? Somewhere I have a picture of my homemade paint booth in our garage when we primered the 1959 Cadillac, we shot Sickens Epoxy Primer but the idea of paint a car in your garage is still doable with whatever paint system you choose to use as long as you know all the safety requirements for the paints you're spraying and you're not breaking any local laws, regulations or codes.

[03mach1]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

I remember in my auto shop body class. We were not allowed to spray Lacquer and we have a full professional paint booth. I guess it is out lawed in Cali. I think Acrylic enamel is also out lawed in cali too. I do not know for sure though.

[HK77]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

So, According to Mikes, Lacquer is also somewhat like a clear coat? Is it also transparent? But I think Lacquer is not a modern technology and it's been using for a long time in my country. For regulations, our country doesn't have a single effective regulation for environment. You can do whatever you want and customers just crave for low price and high return and so, all paint shops have to find the cheap (not environmental friendly) and good product.
If Lacquer is also quite the same like "Clear Coat", may be my car is lacquer-coated. If not, they just used the wrong word. My car has been repainted last year and so, I don't think I can go back and find the can.

Thanks

[seth1066]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

So, According to Mikes, Lacquer is also somewhat like a clear coat? Is it also transparent? But I think Lacquer is not a modern technology and it's been using for a long time in my country. For regulations, our country doesn't have a single effective regulation for environment. You can do whatever you want and customers just crave for low price and high return and so, all paint shops have to find the cheap (not environmental friendly) and good product.
If Lacquer is also quite the same like "Clear Coat", may be my car is lacquer-coated. If not, they just used the wrong word. My car has been repainted last year and so, I don't think I can go back and find the can.

Thanks

"Clear Coat" is just what the name implies, colorless paint, that is clear and without pigment. If you spray a card board box with it, you will see the cardboard underneath, but it will now have a high gloss. It can be lacquer, enamel or any other product. Technically, an asphalt road, a car body or just about anything covered with ice (or water for that matter) is a clear coated surface, as is a varnished wood floor or piece of furniture.

If you have no regulations then your automobile should just be "clear coated" with whatever paint product that is compatible with the underlying finish.

[VonLego]

Re: Is Clear Coat = Lacquer?

So what is so special about a lacquer? I always hear about the legendary lacquer black, but I don't truely know what that means besides being a "lacquer paint"