The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1952 1/2 ton 5 window paint question

ok...1952...single stage paint or two stage paint??

That's entirely up to you.

I'm not going for a show truck so I'm using a single stage. If you want a concours quality finish you will want to use a two-stage paint system.

i agree....i was curious what they did in 1952? i dont think two stage was available yet???

Two stage paints (base coat - clear coat) were not used in 1952. The exterior paints were a synthetic (alkyd) enamel (Dupont Dulux) but repaints and repairs were often done in Dupont Duco (a quick drying and durable lacquer).

A modern acrylic enamel (with or without a hardener) or a single-stage two-part urethane are modern equivalents.

Good information Tim.

Danhami, of those two, the single-stage urethane is easier to apply and much more durable. No comparison.

I agree, Woody.

I do not know anything about concours quality old trucks (or concours-only show or competitions, but, would BC/CC rate higher at a concours event if the original paint was not BC/CC?

all this is true. i've shot 2 stage and single stage...the difference in the outcome is significant. Just a little thought in case anyone was curious, Most aircraft are shot in single stage for 2 reasons-time and durability. most vehicles are shot base/clear-appearance. the disappointing thing here is that due to the "tree huggers," most paints now are water based...and the result in my opinion is just not as good as the old paints...now lacquer.... lacquer is where its at!...With all this said, i live in California...land of the idiots. (sorry if i offended anyone here...but things were good back in the day when we had more options...)

My bad... poor choice of words. Should have said "show stopping" or something else more appropriate to describe the highest possible quality of gloss and finish.