What was the original paint type? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mike_Pettey · 07-31-2018, 01:27 PM

Is there any documentation out there about what type of paint the factory would have been used on my 73 Chevy two tone?

Matt Man · 07-31-2018, 02:54 PM

I'm pretty sure the paint used back then was acrylic enamel.

Keith Seymore · 07-31-2018, 02:56 PM

High solid enamel.

Base coat/clear coat came in around 1989.

K

ninety6 · 08-02-2018, 08:54 PM

Can you clear coat on top of the original enamel? I've thought a clear coat would look really nice and protect the original paint. I've got an 86. It's not perfect, but i'd want to clear it just the way it is. I've buffed it to a nice shine, but the hood re-oxidized a bit within a year. (though i did fail to every wax it after i polished it -- didn't think there was a hurry to when not driving and parked inside and covered, oops!)

Roadfilm · 08-02-2018, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

High solid enamel.

Base coat/clear coat came in around 1989.

K

Know of any documentation on that?

Roadfilm · 08-02-2018, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninety6

Can you clear coat on top of the original enamel? I've thought a clear coat would look really nice and protect the original paint. I've got an 86. It's not perfect, but i'd want to clear it just the way it is. I've buffed it to a nice shine, but the hood re-oxidized a bit within a year. (though i did fail to every wax it after i polished it -- didn't think there was a hurry to when not driving and parked inside and covered, oops!)

Yes, that’s not a problem

Keith Seymore · 08-03-2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadfilm

Know of any documentation on that?

I wasn't able to find anything in the Heritage Center literature or brochures.

They were enamel when I started in 1979 up through when we went BC/CC, so it was a bit of an assumption on my part that 73-79 would also be enamel.

K

RedBed · 08-03-2018, 11:48 AM

You might be able to "bring back" the paint by buffing it out. Lots of youtube vids on how to do that.

Roadfilm · 08-03-2018, 01:24 PM

I’ve got a unique situation. I bought the truck because it’s a 100% original big block with 50k miles. I have it insured with Hagerty. I got sideswiped a month ago and turned it in on my Ins. They won’t repaint the truck unless it was originally painted in laquer?!!! Otherwise they just want to paint half of one side which will look like crap next to the patina 45 year old paint

Danmcg · 08-04-2018, 03:20 AM

Not sure if this helps but....
I've read that to determine the paint type, rub the surface with lacquer thinner.
If color comes off with a few wipes it's enamel. If it's lacquer it will take a lot of rubbing with only a slight color removal. and BC/CC won't remove any color.

Dead Parrot · 08-04-2018, 09:17 PM

The repair shop may be worried about getting into lead based paint. With the current regs, lead paint forces a whole world of safety and disposal procedures far above the rules for later paint. IIRC, 1978 was the end of manufacture of lead paint but existing supplies could be used up.

Roadfilm · 08-04-2018, 10:57 PM

No, for some reason the Ins co will repaint the entire truck if it’s laquer but not if it’s enamel?!! They will just paint the damaged parts

Danmcg · 08-05-2018, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadfilm

No, for some reason the Ins co will repaint the entire truck if it’s laquer but not if it’s enamel?!! They will just paint the damaged parts

I'd love to know the reason is.

v30crewcab · 08-05-2018, 08:36 AM

I'm guessing they don't want to try or can't blend into laquer paint?

07-31-2018, 01:27 PM	#1
Mike_Pettey Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 19	What was the original paint type? Is there any documentation out there about what type of paint the factory would have been used on my 73 Chevy two tone?

07-31-2018, 02:54 PM	#2
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: What was the original paint type? I'm pretty sure the paint used back then was acrylic enamel. __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

07-31-2018, 02:56 PM	#3
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,145	Re: What was the original paint type? High solid enamel. Base coat/clear coat came in around 1989. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

08-02-2018, 08:54 PM	#4
ninety6 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Mason, OH Posts: 90	Re: What was the original paint type? Can you clear coat on top of the original enamel? I've thought a clear coat would look really nice and protect the original paint. I've got an 86. It's not perfect, but i'd want to clear it just the way it is. I've buffed it to a nice shine, but the hood re-oxidized a bit within a year. (though i did fail to every wax it after i polished it -- didn't think there was a hurry to when not driving and parked inside and covered, oops!)

08-03-2018, 11:48 AM	#8
RedBed Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: TX Posts: 254	Re: What was the original paint type? You might be able to "bring back" the paint by buffing it out. Lots of youtube vids on how to do that. __________________ *1979 Chevrolet Bonanza/305/4L60/Edelbrock Performer/Holley 600 Classic*

08-03-2018, 01:24 PM	#9
Roadfilm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Hot Springs Posts: 4	Re: What was the original paint type? I’ve got a unique situation. I bought the truck because it’s a 100% original big block with 50k miles. I have it insured with Hagerty. I got sideswiped a month ago and turned it in on my Ins. They won’t repaint the truck unless it was originally painted in laquer?!!! Otherwise they just want to paint half of one side which will look like crap next to the patina 45 year old paint

08-04-2018, 03:20 AM	#10
Danmcg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Central NY Posts: 168	Re: What was the original paint type? Not sure if this helps but.... I've read that to determine the paint type, rub the surface with lacquer thinner. If color comes off with a few wipes it's enamel. If it's lacquer it will take a lot of rubbing with only a slight color removal. and BC/CC won't remove any color.

08-04-2018, 09:17 PM	#11
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,474	Re: What was the original paint type? The repair shop may be worried about getting into lead based paint. With the current regs, lead paint forces a whole world of safety and disposal procedures far above the rules for later paint. IIRC, 1978 was the end of manufacture of lead paint but existing supplies could be used up.

08-04-2018, 10:57 PM	#12
Roadfilm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Hot Springs Posts: 4	Re: What was the original paint type? No, for some reason the Ins co will repaint the entire truck if it’s laquer but not if it’s enamel?!! They will just paint the damaged parts

08-05-2018, 08:36 AM	#14
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 957	Re: What was the original paint type? I'm guessing they don't want to try or can't blend into laquer paint? __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535



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