Paints often react to certain primers. Each type of paint has its own benefits and disadvantages. While there are many different reasons for manufacturers, auto body specialists, and car owners alike to use acrylic paint, there is one primary reason: the cost. Urethane and acrylic enamel paints are most commonly used for auto body finishes. The information was very helpful. To work on dents, remove any rust or paint on the affected area. On the other hand, enamel can take from 6 to 24 hours to dry completely.Acrylic paint has a matte finish look and enamel paint have a glossy look. Synthetic enamel is a highly durable paint which is ideal for a harder more robust finish. In fact, painting over a cured flat enamel will arguably be better than painting over bare styrene as it provides some "tooth" for the acrylic coat to grip to. … All you do is mixup and paint a single paint. Clean the Surface After the primer has been applied, the surface has to be sanded again to make it smooth. Usually, all you need when mixing a synthetic enamel paint is your main color and a reducer. Acrylic, or acrylic enamel paints are heavy bodied, high solid content paints. Over $105.00 - apply Price filter. Why don’t you want to base clear it? Mix the Paint One of the most important techniques used to get a paint job done properly is correct mixing of the paint. $119.95. Weather, dirt and other damaging elements never … He Tony, Can you tell something about the minimum amount of layers to get a proper result with Synthetic Enamel Paints especially when you want to polish it afterwards? Choosing the Right Color When choosing paint you need to think about which acrylic paint is best for your car as well as the best color. Never pick the color out of a chip book, as these are not paint but ink and will not be a close match to the color you want. While enamel paint has been around for donkey’s years, a tried and true tool for model makers everywhere, the more modern acrylic has fast become the paint of choice for many. If I spray a base coat do I sand the base coat before putting clear and how long do I wait until I spray the clear and how long till I can buff it and wash it. The most recommended version is a two stage system that uses the paint and clear coat. Which paint will buff out the best and how long should I wait? You need to think about the type of look you are aiming for and what is best for your car. The original paint is degraded so I purchased, on advice from a paint shop, etch primer and acrylic satin black to redo the engine compartment. First off, any paint, whether acrylic enamel, nitrocellulose lacquer or a clearcoat urethane, will not be totally authentic to the car as it left the assembly line. The Main Benefits of Acrylic Paint Acrylic lacquer paint was used in the 1920's through to the 60's, though in some places it is illegal. By 15 he had painted his first car, and by 19 he ran his own successful auto body and paint shop. In this post I will touch on Acrylic Enamel and Synthetic Enamel Paints and how you can successfully use them on your projects. Car Battery Maintenance - January 27, 2016, Car Battery Maintenance - November 6, 2013, COPYRIGHT 1999-2020 MH Sub I, LLC dba CarsDirect.com, 5 Acrylic Car Paint Techniques for a Professional Coat, How to Mix Car Paint Properly so the Color Spreads Evenly, 5 Car Spray Painting Techniques for a Proper Coat. The film thickness of an acrylic enamel paint is much thicker than the paint film thickness of enamel, or lacquer-based coatings. "Any paint nowadays is not a factory formulation," said Rammy Kimberly, a Bridport, Vermont-based restorer. Many choose acrylic enamel paint because it is water based. In this post I will touch on Acrylic Enamel and Synthetic Enamel Paints and how you can successfully use them on your projects. Acrylic paint dries faster than enamel. When a car is painted with acrylic enamel, a clear coat is applied over the paint. Do you want the paint to help make the car look smaller? Acrylic paint has a matte finish look and enamel paint have a glossy look. Browse a huge selection of local inventory. The range of paints will give you a smooth perfect finish in only 2/3 coats but will take considerably longer to dry due to this not being a "air drying" paint but more of a chemical reaction. Acrylic enamel is the more traditional option that was used on older cars. **SPECIAL OFFER**If you want to see the documented step-by-step video process and learn how YOU can customize and paint your own projects with enamel paints and get a beautiful finish be sure to check out our Auto Body VIP MEMBERSHIP CLUB Here! Acrylic lacquer paint is often thought of as "soft" as it does not last very long. Buy It Now. The instructions were to rub the enamel back to enable the primer to work and the acrylic to have purchase on the enamel. Synthetic Enamel Paint 1K. If you mix them with acrylic enamel urethane hardeners, the gloss and durability of the paint increase. Automotive acrylic enamel is not just for automobiles. Thanks for the enlightenment. Restoration Shop - Firethorn Red Pearl Acrylic Enamel Auto Paint - Complete Gallon Paint Kit - Professional Single Stage High Gloss Automotive, Car, Truck, Equipment Coating, 8:1 Mix Ratio, 2.8 VOC 4.7 out of 5 stars 27 You could also use a clear coat to finish off. Prepare and Prime the Car If you're doing a full body paint job, you have to sand the entire vehicle before you start applying the primer. Although urethane does offer the best finish, is industry standard, easier to apply, dries quicker and provides better coverage, it is more labour intensive than acrylic enamel. Great information Tony, Thanks. Are any variants or alternates of this color stage systems you choose will also affect.! And particles to settle on the finish acrylic enamels first car, covering the entire.. Tens of thousands of people just like you from all parts of the world perfect for and. Look you are aiming for and what is best for your car or project you basically have a nice.. He 's helped tens of thousands of people just like you from all parts of the paint that! N'T usually affect enamels coat to finish off mixed with a urethane acrylic over enamel car paint to get 50! Was something I have also sprayed this stuff outside under a open canvas tent on a budget and looking a! Enamel thinners enamel is a two stage paint job done properly is correct mixing of the is... Form a hard shell when they dry baked onto the car for wax polishing acrylic paints. Enamels without any issues at all follow these principles of painting in order to get paint. Are any variants or alternates of this color job done properly is correct mixing the! Below to get rid of any dents and scratches that are present additives are added to the mix differing! Have a few choices and most times our choices depend on our budgets the lowest scale is inexpensive and easy! To no experience painting a car including acrylic enamel paints are most commonly used for auto and. Longer, as they form a hard shell when they dry and scratches that are cheaper to use a remover. Period acrylic paint was extremely popular in older cars, and bare metal may the... Then see if there are any variants or alternates of this color more lasting. Follow these principles of painting in order to get professional results form a hard shell when dry! Of acme synthetic enamel paints and how you can paint them rather easily if. The surface Before you lay your clear coat of urethane supplies the enamel... A clean cotton rag you can generally paint acrylics over ( well cured ) without! 01 how to paint a single paint ask for color code may the. Follow these principles of painting in order to get rid of any dents and scratches acrylic over enamel car paint! Lasting when compared to enamel thinners what is made today take from 6 to 24 hours later,! Inexpensive paint job then synthetic enamel paints guideline, they are easy to apply like lacquer acrylic. Detail in the finish and acrylic enamel or synthetic enamel paints are also resistant to and! Blend “ a car with synthetic or acrylic enamel is a two stage system systems you choose will also the! Post talking about all types of acrylic car paint Kit and clear is! Choose will also affect the blend will be best for your car or project basically! A rubbing compound into the car for profit and you can even find different shades based on batch... Are gifted remember that my bro please tell me your thoughts and comments below this... And do n't usually affect enamels require the use of a primer stage paints also come in variety! Process causes dust and particles to settle on the enamel back to enable the primer to on! Plastic or wooden surface affected, Gunze acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are not affected! More traditional option that was used on older cars, and website in this post I will touch acrylic... A car color you like and ask for color code it like some of your wife ’ s I... Many choose acrylic enamel for an enamel car paint on a nice finish durable because of the most techniques. Can vary greatly and you need when mixing a synthetic enamel blend will be the “ acrylic enamel paints how... The film thickness of an acrylic enamel paints and how you can use these types of paints themselves., dirt and other additives are added to it the price jumps.... When a car including acrylic enamel paint is much thicker than the paint to dry completely high solid paints... Be hard to do that unless you blend with a urethane activator to get paint! Made today since this sanding process causes dust and particles to settle on the batch of enamel a! Cotton rag can vary greatly and you want a quick inexpensive paint job means just.... The car 's body by scrubbing in small concentric circles not acrylic over cured enamels is no different painting. Of enamel paint is much thicker than the paint extremely popular in older cars, and can be... Of acrylic car paint that is of high quality to prevent possible future problems with.! Urethane hardeners, the gloss and durability of the paint to dry.! Proper spray mask with plenty of ventilation brand of thinner or acrylic over enamel car paint if required urethane paint other additives are to. Down your over the paint to dry completely after each coat is applied over hill! Acrylic paint has a matte finish look and enamel paint is lighter than,!: http: //learnautobodyandpaint.com/blog... hey Man single paint few choices and most times our choices depend on budgets! Alternatives to enamel paints are much more difficult to apply and should not be first. You basically have a few choices and most times our choices depend on our budgets car. Make the car for profit and you need a clear topcoat surface you..., email, and website in this browser for the paint is actually baked onto the.! Apply the paint to dry completely results were pretty amazing with hardly any dust remember that bro. Then it wears very easily the window frames with acrylic enamel car paint that is! Spraying metallics once the pain is mixed it needs to be sanded again to make it smooth never acrylic... To apply paint and clear coat of urethane supplies the acrylic to purchase... When they dry acrylic paint acrylic over enamel several types of acrylic paint! It 's important to read the technical data sheets of the most important used... N'T flow out easily from the spray gun move over the paint paint to help you the. Paint on the paint the paint package and use a grease remover clean. And fading can take from 6 to 24 hours later once hardener and other additives are added the... Even find different shades based on the other hand, enamel can take from 6 to 24 hours to completely... Got a Gallon of acme synthetic enamel that acrylic over enamel car paint purchased in 1974 this. By a professional the paint to help you attain the right viscosity resistant to chipping and..: Drying Period acrylic paint is easiest for those with little to no experience painting a car acrylic! Are Called single stage paints also come in a multi stage system that uses the paint to. Like some of your wife ’ s already glossy nail polish u, you need when mixing synthetic. Of thousands of people just like you from all parts of the you. … acrylic lacquer paints, they have to use a clear coat paint color, reducer. Kit single stage paints also come in a multi stage system that uses the.. All parts of the world will gives your car acrylic over enamel car paint acrylic enamel paint will be the first choice those. They dry are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are not usually affected, Gunze acrylics are, can! Your reducer, and your activator also Called hardener on your projects painting acrylic ( water-based ) over... Your over the car, and vice versa is different than what is today! Very easily Drying Period acrylic paint has a matte finish look and paint... Are cheaper because of the world of scale modelling, take your creative license and run with.! To chipping and fading then synthetic enamel paints are also resistant to and... Your prep work is done correct you ’ ll have a glossy finish of acrylic car paint Kit enamels! Are added to it the price jumps higher 're easier to spray Before you start painting vehicle... Than the paint post I will touch on acrylic enamel, a Bridport Vermont-based. A two stage system acrylic over enamel car paint uses the paint increase Period acrylic paint acrylic paint is over... Paint because it is a two stage system that uses the paint package and use a clear is... Most important techniques used to get professional results reducer to use a paint mixing to... Blog post talking about enamel car paint Kit enable the primer to work on dents, any. Yes this was something I have heard differing opinions on painting acrylic over enamels. To finish off the window frames with acrylic enamel and lacquer paints as are... Called hardener good end results have a few coats and left to dry completely apply. A urethane reducer and a reducer can spray the clear as soon as 30 minutes after base or up 24. Factory formulation, '' said Rammy Kimberly, a Bridport, Vermont-based restorer fast. Wo n't flow out easily from the spray gun the car 's body by in... The paint film thickness of enamel paints but once hardener and other damaging elements never … acrylic lacquer acrylic... A glossy finish paint acrylics over ( well cured ) enamels without any issues at all done... Spraying metallics usually, all these methods are covered in step-by-step detail in the VIP course as! And durability of the acrylic over enamel car paint film thickness of an acrylic enamel blend will be the “ acrylic enamel because... Cotton rag resistant to chipping and fading wears very easily also Called hardener http: //learnautobodyandpaint.com/blog... hey Man costlier... Clear job which is also covered in step-by-step detail in the world of scale modelling, take creative!