Masking freshly painted Laquer

[kovmat]

I have decided to paint my project while it is still apart. I am getting really close to the actualy painting stage but just realized that the paint I am using for the firewall, fender wells and under the hood is a Lacquer. I learned the hard way that if you put masking tape over the Lacquer it will "tape track" and wrinkle the finish. My plan was to paint the B/C as the final step before I put everything back together. Not sure how I can do that without screwing up that Lacquer when I mask everything off.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

[Len]

Matt
I'm not sure I understand. You're painting with lacquer under the hood and base clear on the exterior? If that's the case I would ditch the lacquer and use the same materials in the engine compartment as the exterior.

[kovmat]

I was going with a dull black in the engine compartment, so they will be differnt colors. I know most people go with the same color but my inner fenders were really beat up and I did not want to draw attention to them by painting them the same color as the body.

[Len]

I was going with a dull black in the engine compartment, so they will be differnt colors. I know most people go with the same color but my inner fenders were really beat up and I did not want to draw attention to them by painting them the same color as the body.

If you get urethane on the lacquer it will usually melt it and cause it to lose it's bond with the surface. Lacquer is fine if it's kept in a sheltered environment but these days it's usually not used on a surface that is exposed to much daily driving. You should invest in some urethane and use a little flattener to dull it OR just use your base if it gets a hardener.

[tbm3fan]

Heck, Eastwood, sells a 2K Urethane Underhood Black which has only 10-20% gloss to match a typical original sheen. You can put it right over an epoxy primer. That is what I did for the radiator support and inner fender aprons on my '65 F-100. Used PPG SS for all the exterior but the Eastwood stuff for the engine compartment. Cost for a qt. of epoxy primer with activator and a qt. of underhood black with activator is $87 and then $12.95 shipping. Forget the lacquer and opt for durability.

[kovmat]

Guys thanks for the input, I will switch to the Urethane. I did see that @ Eastwood last night. I do have my Firewall already painted in the Lacquer. I am sure if it is not a perfect color match it won't be too noticible.

Thanks again for the help.

Matt