Acrylic lacquer over enamel - is this OK?

ArtS

Here's a question for the body and paint experts. I am fixing a cracked green steering wheel out of a Hornet and plan to paint it a Toro Red-like color. Duplicolor makes Toriador Red that is the correct shade of red (to my eye) but it's an acrylic lacquer. Can I use an enamel primer as the base coat on the green wheel and get a satisfactory result using an acrylic lacquer top coat? I have a can of primer enamel from Tower Paints that is formulated for plastic trim, bumpers, and other flexible surfaces. I think would be fine as the base coat for the plastic wheel. Any advice would be welcome and thanks for your time. ArtS

50C8DAN

I believe the answer is no. Lacquer solvents will eat through about anything, especially enamel. The other way around might work but you should stick with one system or the other. Others may have had some other experiences but from mine it is not a good idea you will end up with bubbled and peeled paint.

[Deleted User]

ArtS wrote:

Here's a question for the body and paint experts. I am fixing a cracked green steering wheel out of a Hornet and plan to paint it a Toro Red-like color. Duplicolor makes Toriador Red that is the correct shade of red (to my eye) but it's an acrylic lacquer. Can I use an enamel primer as the base coat on the green wheel and get a satisfactory result using an acrylic lacquer top coat? I have a can of primer enamel from Tower Paints that is formulated for plastic trim, bumpers, and other flexible surfaces. I think would be fine as the base coat for the plastic wheel. Any advice would be welcome and thanks for your time. ArtS

Art,



The Hornet wheel is rigid enough to use non-flexible primer. Regular laquer or any primer that used a catalyst or hardener would work fine. If you are using spray cans then only use laquer primer with your laquer top coat.

ArtS

50C8DAN wrote:

I believe the answer is no. Lacquer solvents will eat through about anything, especially enamel. The other way around might work but you should stick with one system or the other. Others may have had some other experiences but from mine it is not a good idea you will end up with bubbled and peeled paint.

Thanks Dan, and also DaveFury, for the info on surface prep for lacquer top coats. Looks like I will invest in an air brush as rattle cans of lacquer primer seem to be in short supply around here (at least at NAPA and the local hobby shop). ArtS

tigermoth

you may want to invest in an airbrush anyway, but if not, tower paint will load whatever single stage paint you want in a rattle can and ship it to your door. regards, tom