Re: Aftermarket paint is not as durable (archive)

I am saddened Pauls paint bothers him so much but paint these days is better than ever. My father in law owns a Paint and Body shop and I have experience first hand what modern paint results can be IF properly administered. Laquer and Enamel used to be the staple of the body shop but Dupont about 20 years ago came out with a product called IMRON. This was one of the early "epoxy paints" and is still a favorite. Epoxy paints can be obtained from any of the mfg today. Dupont, Sherwin Williams, RM, Glasurit, 20 or so others and my favorite SIKKENS from AKZO coatings. These paints are a multipart paint and is generally called acrylic enamel. Resin with pigment, Hardener, and a Reducer. This type of paint when cured gives you a very hard, smooth and shiny surface regardless if the pigment is solid color or metallic. Depending upon if your painting vertical or horizontal surfaces you use a faster or slower reducer. This allows the paint to spread out at different rates for a smooth finish without runs. Vertical =slow. Horizontal=fast. Prep prior to paint is expecially critical to preventing compatiable mix reactions with previously applied water base concoctions and fisheye. Clear coats are mandatory on both solid and metallic colors to prevent oxidation of the color layer. This kind of paint is expensive and you don't get it at the fast food paint shops. Metallic requires alot of experience to prevent what Paul is describing. Light and Dark shadowing.

Guy Simpson
92 750iL

Aftermarket Paint is nothing like as resilient to Bird droppings and dead bugs as the original. My experience is to have as little of the car painted as possible. Colour match should be undetectable, if it isn't make them do it again and again till it is. My 89 735 has had a rear wing mended at some point and the prev. owner just didn't complain enough as I can see the difference depending on the lighting...it annoys the hell out of me.
You could take it to a place that can get the dent out without paint or anything. That's what I do with my 89 750 and they do a pretty good job and it's cheaper too only like around $100 maby a little more on bigger dents that's what I would do because re painting then the car won't look the same I had to have my 1998 painted in the front and the did an awsome job but I can see little imperfections in the paint.

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Re: Aftermarket paint is not as durable Bryan Garner 23:18 11/05/2000 (0)

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