Types of Automotive Paint
Paint has changed a great deal since the beginning of the automobile industry. Most of the developments in the history of auto paint have been centered on improving quality, durability, speed of application and drying time. In the earliest days, the paint was applied by hand with a paintbrush, just as it had been with carriages in earlier eras. The four modern paint types are acrylic lacquers, enamels, urethanes and the relatively new water-based paint.
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Lacquer
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Lacquer-based paint for automobiles was predominantly used between the 1920s and 1960s, although it is still in use by come auto enthusiasts today. This is a very cheap, high-gloss paint and is very easy to apply; something ideal for the novice painter. Downsides to lacquer auto paint are a tendency to chip easily and a poor resistance to some chemicals and ultraviolet light that will quickly damage a car's finish.
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Enamel
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Enamel paints provide a tougher paint coating than lacquers, especially if the coats are professionally baked on in large ovens. Many enamel colors need to incorporate a clear topcoat for added pigment protection, but others don't require this, as the color's pigment is more stable. Many enamel paints don't go on as smoothly as others, and are not good choices for amateurs unfamiliar with the paint.
Urethane
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Urethane auto paint is especially popular with professionals who appreciate its many good qualities. Not only is the paint easy to use, but it also retains enamel's strength. This paint requires a catalyst to speed up the drying time, and is available for fancy top clear coats.
Water-based
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Water-based auto paint is rapidly gaining in use and popularity. These paints are extremely versatile and also popular for adding imagery to the sides of motorcycles and other vehicles. It is a non-toxic paint, and the paint line is best when used in conjunction with a clear urethane top coat. The main downside to water-based auto paint is that they are so new, the color line is somewhat limited.
Colors
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Early paint colors were extremely limited, primarily stemming from the materials used that confined the colors to dark, earth-tone variants. In fact, the first cars were all painted black due to the ease and low cost involved in acquiring black paint. As time, public demand and innovations progressed, automobiles began to be available in a wide array of colors. Today, some automakers will color-match and allow purchasers to pre-select a color before the car is even built.
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of dodge challenger1
