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Which paint to use.......

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J

Joelb

Jedi Hopeful
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I know there have already been discusions about this, but...

I am currently preping the Midget to paint. The guy who is going to shoot it mentioned "Imron" today. He says it is more durable than a base/clear coat and much easier to put on.

Let's say I'm pretty dumb when it comes to paint (I am) and am looking for some input....
 
Here is what I think I was once told:

It is harder to touch up and correct runs/sags/orange peel. I think it is used mostly in industrial applications and the color choice is more limited.

But I've been told lately that my memory is not very good, so I suggest "google"
 
Emron is for all practical purposes a two part epoxy.

Might be good to stay away from that for a car.
 
It is a great paint system. Brake fluid won't harm it. I believe it came before the current 2 coat systems were developed. <span style="color: #FF0000">If you spray it yourself, wear a positive pressure supplied air system.</span> It will cure in your lungs, just as well as it will on the car. This results in death. This is the paint we used on our tow trucks.
 
Different brand but that's essentially what the new Whitephrog was just painted with. Hard as a rock. I love it.
 
I've heard it is pretty nasty stuff. I won't be spraying it, but I hope the guy that does knows what he is doing!

How does the finish turn out?
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]It is harder to touch up and correct runs/sags/orange peel. I think it is used mostly in industrial applications and the color choice is more limited.[/QUOTE]

Wives tale, Trevor!! :wall:

Folks, Imron is and has been "the paint of Spec" for Ambulances & Fire Vehicles for DECADES!!! :winner1:

For those of you in larger cities (urban areas) check Yellow Pages for Ambulance Sales, Funeral Car Sales,
Fire Equip. F/S (you get the idea :nonod:) and see if they have anything like from the '70s and go and look at it!! The paint condition will answer your questions!! I would use it on my own cars!! :savewave:

:cheers:
Ed
 
Well, I certainly wasn't speaking from personal experience.

So... if it is such a great paint system, then why isn't used more frequently in the auto industry?

I am really curious.
 
I think it's been around for a very long time. We used to paint trucks with it way back 25 years ago. At that time, choice for cars was pretty much acrylic enamel or lacquer. Imron was harder and more durable but dangerous to spray. The shine wasn't what you could get with 6 to 10 coats of lacquer but.... At anyrate, I think it is a bit outdated at this time for automotive paint. Probably still has a market in commercial vehicles.
JC
 
there are 3 types of imron on the market today.
1. imron 5000 singlestage, 2-component 3/4 gallon w/1 qt.activator.

2. imron 6000 2-component basecoat, 2-component clear. also 3/4 fill on gallon of basecolor.

3. imron 333 2-component 3/4 fill single stage.

#1 and 2 are high end fleet finish' pete,kw, etc.price for lets says red in single stage 400-500 per gallon. good stuff but drawbacks are super slow "tackfree" time, in other words if shop doesn't have bake cycle on booth, whatever lands in paint say 1.5-2.5 hours after spraying will stick. then of course need to wetsanded and buffed out.the window to wetsand is long wait then once completly cured its like buffing iron.

#3 is a line dupont came out with for a more affordable fleet finish. we use gallons of the black for chassis' and parts.
limited colors.same slow dry make sure u use accelerator.wouldn't use for topcoat unless it was a beater.


i've been dupont shop for over 20yrs.we dont use imron for topcoats on any of our cars. our system is dupont chroma-premier basecoat/cleacoat.excellent color,holdout,matchablity, and the croma clears have excellant depth and clarity.tack free time is fast typical dupont small window on wetsand buff but it buffs sooo nice.

just my 2cents.
good luck
 
I would agree with dpcsix! Having used Imron in the past (20 years ago) I will say from personal experience that sags, drips and touch-ups to this paint ARE a PITA and this is NO wives tale!! It is a very strong, durable and impervious paint, great for industrial and marine applications. If you intend to make this the last time you paint your vehicle, then by all means use it! If however you feel you may want to change colors down the line, etc. I would use something else easier to work with!
 
Great input everyone! I will probably be going with a base/clear coat. The barn we have converted into a paint booth just has too much stuff floating around. I'll post pictures when we are done, thanks again for all the input.
 
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