I sprayed Acrylic Enamel in a body shop back in the early seventies and we did not add any hardener. We used heat lamps initially to aid in drying. It took several weeks before the paint was hard enough to buff them out. Most jobs went out the door without buffing as the paint laid out really nicely and unlike lacquer didn’t require buffing. I don’t remember if hardener was even available, but I may be mistaken.
I started using acrylic enamel in the 70's as well. (I had shot plenty of alkyd up to that point) As time went on I started using the hardner & always began shooting with one coat of non sanding primer/sealer just prior to the acrylic paint, with good results.
However, it's been 20 years since my last overall acrylic enamel paint job and I seem to be a little rusty now. I'm 77 now & not looking to go back to painting trucks or anything else. Just looking to make my C10 look a little better.
I've done a little color/clear 2 stage with good results too. Usually just replacing the factory peeling clear coat on one of my vehicles or helping out a grandkid with a fender bender & no money to pay an insurance deductible. Good results meaning no buffing of the clear coat needed.
