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PPG versus Dupont

Newkie

Jedi Trainee
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I'm getting my car painted next week and I am responsible for buying the paint. So I was wondering, PPG or Dupont? If its PPG, I was going with a Omni Clearcoat. Dupont, with a Dupont Clearcoat. By the way, has anyone use True Red by Mazda?
Hows that look? And does it matter what primer color I use underneath? I have heard, some people use a white sealer to bring out the red better?

Thanks

Newkie
 
It has been a decade since I last used DuPont and 5 years since I used PPG. They are both quality paints. I was spraying 2-component urethanes, not base-coat/clear-coat systems so I can't offer first hand comments on the paint systems you're looking at. I started with DuPont products in my teen years and always had good results. The only reason my last paint job used PPG was that was the product line carried by my local supplier. I was very pleased with their products.

If you have the option of using either, I would take the time to meet with the people who sell both. Tell them what you're doing and get their suggestions for each component you should use to get the results you want. Include in that discussion your question about the white sealer. Most of the people who mix paints all day know what the local body shops are doing and will share the information. These conversations will also give you a feel for which local paint supplier will give you the best support. Whatever you do, make sure you buy paint supplies that have been tested and are known to work together.
 
Both brands are good.Omni is PPGs production product. Its your car,...I would go with the PPG concept paints.
I agree with DK,I dont much use base/clear either.
 
My painter used Dupont base/clear and I am quite happy with the results. I think they key thing is to use one brand for everything from the metal on up, to avoid any reactions or incompatibilities. That is more important than brand selection, IMHO.
 
I use PPG products mostly and have good luck if you stay within the system as far as undercoats and top coats. I use their premium line of lacquers and enamels. I do use Concept (where I want the toughness of a urethane) for some (usually chassis) parts but usually have to use a flattener to get out the high gloss.

The Omni line in PPG is their cheaper line of paint.

Just my opinion or taste but I personally don't like the "wet look" that you get with basecoat - clearcoat, or one step Concept. On modern cars it has it's place, but on most of our vintage cars I like to use what the factory used - either lacquer or enamel.
 
Just because...

I've been considering Interlux "Perfection" a bit lately. It's a 2 part urethane "made for boat top sides". The stuff is supposed to give you 'professional' style finish (obviously if your careful with prepping the car) through the use of rollers and brushes. From what I've seen, the finish of this stuff is very reflective (not quite the "wet look" but still very reflective), and if I'm not mistaken, it's intended to be used without clear coat. According to Interlux, it can also be applied with spray guns. They have a decent variety of colors to choose from including a green that just might be passable for BRG, if you don't want to mix your own.

However, the only color samples I've seen on the net haven't been very revealing. Lots of whites and blues to choose from, but most sites the whites look the same, and the blues are barely distinguishable.

Perfection

Interlux Main Site
 
I used to think that way until I saw a georgous "Porsche Guards Red" 72 MGB drive into the Mad Dogs & Englishmen show in Kalamazoo this yr. It stopped me in my tracks when I saw it drive in. It also drew looks from everyone that saw her that day.
It is also easier to hide any imperfections that a car might have, and after 35 yrs, their will be a few.
Thanks for the advice on the Omni clearcoat. I will either go with Dupont, or if I can upgrade the PPG clearcoat without costing me an arm and leg, I will go with that.

Newkie
 
Newkie,

I,ve been thinking about my previous post. I told you what I like - that's not important!! If you are not painting the car, find out what your painter uses and likes. Different products go on using very different techniques. I would use something he is comfortable with.

You can not go wrong with either PPG or Dupont - they both make great products - whichever one you choose, stay with their systems and products and I'm sure you will be pleased.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I'm getting my car painted next week and I am responsible for buying the paint. So I was wondering, PPG or Dupont? [/QUOTE]

You're telling me the body shop told you to go out & buy the paint & didn't tell you what they're using for primer? what they normally run through their guns? What additives they use?

RUN AWAY QUICKLY & TAKE YOUR CAR!!!
 
It's pretty unusual for a body shop to give the customer the choice of buying the paint. Painters are notorious for sticking wiith one brand of paint...often only shooting one type of paint from one manufacturer. These guys are real creatures of habit.

My 1995 Peterbilt was painted at the factory with DuPont Imron. It still looks good after 1.5 miillion miles. My 1974 IHC truck was shot with PPG base/clear in 1990...it looks even better!

I don't know what you are painting but I have had great luck using Kirker paints from https://www.smartshoppersinc.com .
Great prices, good paint...very inexpensive (you can sell for less if you don't give Jeff Gordon $25,000,000 per year).
The only drawback is you have a limited choice of colors. I bought a complete base/clear system with all of the paint primers etc. for under $200.00...in Viper Red no less. The color alone from PPG would have been over $400.00.

And I do agree that base/clear paints don't look right on early cars...they are too perfect.
 
Jack_Long said:
I think they key thing is to use one brand for everything from the metal on up, to avoid any reactions or incompatibilities. That is more important than brand selection, IMHO.

Totally agree with the comment by Jack Long above.

One extra comment is the end result depends to a huge amount on the surface preparation.

The choice of brands is I feel less important given both are quality items and have an excellent and well deserved reputation.


Pete.
 
Its not a body shop its a guy that paints classics on the side. He has used both and its up to me which paint I prefer. Now that I have that clear. I still like a 2 stage paint on my car, and all of the painters that I have talked to, to a man, have preferred the 2 stage over the other, and hope the car looks great after hes done.

Newkie
 
Ahhh, P E R E F E C T I O N, difficult to type, almost impossable to acheve.
 
jlaird said:
Ahhh, P E R E F E C T I O N, difficult to type, almost impossable to acheve.
mmmm... yup... and yer spelling makes that clear /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
Yup I have used Kirkers too. Good paint,on a par with Omni,not as good as the old DuPont Centari. PPG's Concept is the way to go for me. I like hard paint, that wont easily chip. A bitch to wet sand, but man what a finish.
 
A photo of my wife and I waveing,into a Spitfire I painted in Concept urathane, not base/clear
 

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I was a PPG diehard for a long time. When I did the B we have now, it was with Valspar epoxy/urethane products. Shot it outdoors. Still haven't buffed it out but got passable results. The primer (high build epoxy) was wonderful to work with.
 
I'm getting to where I really like R&M paint over the other brands.
 
Heh, that's cause Ricky uses it.
 
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