1961 MGA 1600 paint selection help

[shrunken66stroker]

I'm painting my Stepfather's 61 MGA and need some help with my paint selection. My Stepfather said he's used PPG in the past and he's comfortable with it, so I thought I'd go with it. I went to the local store with paint code in hand to get a price on PPG acrylic enamel in Old English White. The guy starts shaking his head and says, "nope, it only comes in urethane". Instead he offered Omni, which is quite a bit cheaper than I was expecting. I've never sprayed Omni but I'm open to it if it's a quality substitute. I think after this car is sprayed it will never be sprayed again as long as he owns it, so I want it to last.

There are only two requirements.
1. It has to be Old English White.
2. It has to be acrylic enamel bc/cc.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Also, why can't I find Slick Sand in Las Vegas? I've called around and asked at shops and it seems to be like sasquach, nobody's seen it. Is it a new product they don't stock yet? Should I just order it online and eat the heavy shipping cost?

Thanks guys! I know you'll come through.

[Steve g]

Curious. If this is going to be it's last paint job and it has to last why do you want to use Acrylic enamel?

Acrylic enamel is old technology and certainly far from the best choice for a "last forever" finish. A single stage urethane in either PPG line would serve you much better.

I haven't much experience with acrylic enamel, but i did shoot some of that Omni line a few weeks back. Nothing wrong with the way it sprays, but certainly didn't have the DOI and shine of even the low end Nason base/clear that I usually use.

Steve g

Edit, Can't help you with the Slick Sand/Vegas question.

[Len]

I'm with Steve, use urethane and good breath protection while you paint.

If you can't find Slick Sand I can send it to you and I think that when it ships to Vegas it will come from our Calif. warehouse.

Slick Sand Link

[shrunken66stroker]

Curious. If this is going to be it's last paint job and it has to last why do you want to use Acrylic enamel?

Acrylic enamel is old technology and certainly far from the best choice for a "last forever" finish. A single stage urethane in either PPG line would serve you much better.

I haven't much experience with acrylic enamel, but i did shoot some of that Omni line a few weeks back. Nothing wrong with the way it sprays, but certainly didn't have the DOI and shine of even the low end Nason base/clear that I usually use.

Steve g

Edit, Can't help you with the Slick Sand/Vegas question.

I thought originally he wanted acrylic enamel because it's a restoration and he wanted to stay true to original in every sense. Now that I think about it, this car was probably originally lacquer, right? I'm not making the call on the type of paint to use so I'll have to find out about his motives. He's caught up with the bc/cc idea and thinks having a clear is the only way to go. Can I clear over urethane and how does it compare? Is it even necessary?

[Harry Phinney]

I thought originally he wanted acrylic enamel because it's a restoration and he wanted to stay true to original in every sense... He's caught up with the bc/cc idea and thinks having a clear is the only way to go.

These statements are contradictory. An MGA was certainly not clearcoated originally so if he wants it clearcoated then he doesn't want it as it was originally. A non-clearcoated single stage urethane can provide a reasonable approximation of the appearance of an old acrylic enamel or lacquer paint job while offering far better durability. In a color like Old English White the difference in appearance would be minimal.

Can I clear over urethane and how does it compare? Is it even necessary?

It's not necessary to clear over a single stage urethane, but it certainly can be done and if done properly with a high quality clear it will provide greater UV resistance.

Harry Phinney

[shrunken66stroker]

These statements are contradictory. An MGA was certainly not clearcoated originally so if he wants it clearcoated then he doesn't want it as it was originally. A non-clearcoated single stage urethane can provide a reasonable approximation of the appearance of an old acrylic enamel or lacquer paint job while offering far better durability. In a color like Old English White the difference in appearance would be minimal.


It's not necessary to clear over a single stage urethane, but it certainly can be done and if done properly with a high quality clear it will provide greater UV resistance.

Harry Phinney

Like I said, I don't know his motives and I'm certainly not an expert on MGA's. I do appreciate the suggestions and will bring up SS urethane next time we talk about the car. Maybe I should get a half pint mixed up and shoot a sample for him to see. That way he can see it and make a decision. I'll post his ideas and concerns to see if you guys think they're warranted.

Thanks

[shrunken66stroker]

Will the acrylic urethane have a deep shine without a clear coat? I'll cut it and buff to the best of my ability. Will it be comparable to acrylic enamel?

[Len]

Will the acrylic urethane have a deep shine without a clear coat? I'll cut it and buff to the best of my ability. Will it be comparable to acrylic enamel?

A "good" acrylic urethane will get harder, last longer and be easier to correct if you make a mistake. Cutting and buffing urethane is a little more difficult than enamel because it's harder but the finished product has a better gloss than softer paint.

[shrunken66stroker]

So urethane it is. He's not going to make me shoot enamel. Now, this is a small roadster, am I going to die shooting urethane with a brand new 3m full face respirator with brand new cartridges?

[mmooney84]

No your not gonna die. Most painters use the 3m cartridge mask. I was watching Overhauling today and they were using them. But you need good ventilation. I have heard of people getting sick that seal them self up in their garage while painting even with the mask. Be sure to put the mask in a zip lock while not using it because it only has about 48 hours of life once exposed to air...

[shrunken66stroker]

No your not gonna die. Most painters use the 3m cartridge mask. I was watching Overhauling today and they were using them. But you need good ventilation. I have heard of people getting sick that seal them self up in their garage while painting even with the mask. Be sure to put the mask in a zip lock while not using it because it only has about 48 hours of life once exposed to air...

The mask is still in the new packaging. I'll make sure to seal it up when I'm not using it and get some refill cartridges. I'll work out the ventilation too. 48 hours huh? I wish I could afford the fresh air system right now. They get you on refills.
Thanks

[carcrazy]

I'm a fan of PPG SSU. It will give him a nice look-probably much closer to the original look than a BC/CC job. Although many guys use a cartridge mask when shooting and don't have a problem, I use fresh air system-as I don't have any spare lungs!!!! In any event, if you go with a mask proper fit is important. In the past I would test mine using banana oil. If you could smell there was a problem. By the way, many people I know that rarely paint will purchase a fresh air system and sell it for very little loss on ebay after completing the job.

[shrunken66stroker]

I'm a fan of PPG SSU. It will give him a nice look-probably much closer to the original look than a BC/CC job. Although many guys use a cartridge mask when shooting and don't have a problem, I use fresh air system-as I don't have any spare lungs!!!! In any event, if you go with a mask proper fit is important. In the past I would test mine using banana oil. If you could smell there was a problem. By the way, many people I know that rarely paint will purchase a fresh air system and sell it for very little loss on ebay after completing the job.

I have two cars to paint so I was thinking about flipping a fresh air system after I use it, especially because of the free shipping deal right now. I'll give my mask the smell test and shoot a little before I decide, thanks.

[Len]

I have two cars to paint so I was thinking about flipping a fresh air system after I use it, especially because of the free shipping deal right now. I'll give my mask the smell test and shoot a little before I decide, thanks.

The thing to remember about cartridge versus fresh air is that the cartridge mask is negative pressure and supplied air is positive. This means that one leaks room air in and the other leaks supplied air out. The small leaks from a cartridge mask can cause permanent health problems while the small leaks in a supplied air mask won't even be noticed. The supplied air mask is more expensive initially but a cartridge mask could cost much much more down the road.

[jclars]

Interesting thread to me, because I am doing a 1958 MGA coupe in Old English White. I went to the local PPG supplier and asked for a single stage urethane and I got the same response. Nope, that color is only available in bc/cc. I belong to an MG forum and you can stir up quite a fuss over there discussing matching the shine to the original coating. Many contend that the modern finishes are too shiny/glossy and dont replicate a desired vintage look.

I am not one of those.

I put epoxy on the stipped body yesterday and will be shooting the 2k urethane today. This site was referenced several times between coats to tweak gun settings to reassure me of the results I was getting. You guys provide a great classroom!

John L.