I am buying a car that has 10-12 year old white lacquer with black stripes. Stripes are "checked" or cracked and white is too in places and even has little bubbles here and there. I have heard Lacquer does this over time but need someone to confirm this. Next question is if I want to repaint he car (which is a frame off resto already) do I have to remove the lacquer to be safe or sand it good, use correct primer and then paint with new paint with clear coat?

I have a good body shop I have used for the normal car accident damage etc and will show him the car when I get it for his advice. I figure there are some paint experts out there as members of Team Chevelle and would appreciate any advice or info I can get. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks

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1970 SS 396 El Camino
1970 SS 396 Hardtop
1986 SS Choo Choo Elky
TC Gold #155

If taking it down to bare metal isn't in the budget,then a primer-sealer over the lacquer will be just fine.

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1970 Chevelle SS396/L78/M21/4.10 My 70 SS396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70SS1)
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass 350 Olds,TH350(daily driver)
"Be aware of the possible ramifications of the potential outcome"
Chris Corwel,the man from the too much taxes and over priced gas state of Connecticut
TC Member 785

Doesn't that happen when there are too many layers of paint on the car? If so stripping it down would be your best bet.

Yes, laquer paint does that when applied in thick applications. You would want to remove any 'weak' paint. Any paint, primer or undercoating that is still adhearing well to the metal after 10 years is still a good base to start from when re-painting. I wouldn't seal over cracked or bubbled paint. Laquer sands easily. I would DA the whole car, Not nesecsarily down to bare metal, but enough to remove the weak paint. Then, Urethane primer the car and block it out. That is, assuming the laquer is the primary paint on the car. If there's more paint underneath it, I 'd have to say strip it. If your painter has a paint thickness gauge, have him check it. Also, if you're going with a straight white, use a solid urethane instead of base/clear. It will wear better, buff better and be easier to patch in later on if any unfortunate things happen.

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

[This message has been edited by Jimmy P (edited 01-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Jimmy P (edited 01-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Jimmy P (edited 01-03-2001).]

I guess I should have given more details...I'm assuming everybody's been a bodyman in ther past life http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif
Jimmy P hit right on the money.

If the car is already in process of a frame off resto, why not go ahead and be safe and completely strip the car so you know whats there. Not that I would ever send my cars to a shop for painting because I paint my own. If I was going to shell out a few grand for paint the last thing I'd want to see is bondo falling out the quarters a year or two after it was all done. If you can strip it yourself before it goes to the paint man you'll both know whats there, and save you a few bucks in the long run. I'd say if you can do a frame off you've got the facilitys to strip it down to metal. Good luck. RandyB..

When laquer gets old it cracks and checks, that's one of the reasons why it's the thing of the past.The only way to cure it is to strip it and refinish it.
Go right down to bare metal. Most of todays primers and sealers will not work over laquer.
use a self etching or an epoxy primer for the best rust protection and holdout.Then block everything out
Basecoat/clearcoat, or single stage urethane is optional.
I prefer the basecoat system over single stage, but I do use both.

Jeff Litka
72 Chevelle SS
72 Montecarlo

[This message has been edited by JSL (edited 01-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by JSL (edited 01-03-2001).]

Thanks guys for all your input. The car already has been restored frame off and looks super under the car, engine compartment and interior. I will save your comments and discuss them with my body shop owner where I will get the work done. I don't get the car for another 2-3 weeks and will have a chance to show it to him and perhaps even talk to the person who painted it 11-12 years ago and learn how much body work was actually done.

Since I am paying an arm and a leg for the car, why not mortgage the house to get it painted right! Thanks again http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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1970 SS 396 El Camino
1970 SS 396 Hardtop
1986 SS Choo Choo Elky
TC Gold #155

Just what is the new toy, Chuck?

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

I will email you separately since the description will take a while. Once I get the car in my possession I will post a picture. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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1970 SS 396 El Camino
1970 SS 396 Hardtop
1986 SS Choo Choo Elky
TC Gold #155

Jimmy, I will email you separately since the description will take a while. I will post a photo when I get possession of the car in a couple of weeks. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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1970 SS 396 El Camino
1970 SS 396 Hardtop
1986 SS Choo Choo Elky
TC Gold #155

I would strip it (problem gone).