I have a Van Nuys Car, paint code is 81U, and I am not absolutely sure if it is base coat, clear coat.

What was the brand of paint GM used? Was it Dupont?

I need to buy some for a repaint, but not sure what brand, type to buy.

FYI, my paint is not faded or peeled.

Thanks

 

Any top of the line paint supplier will be able to match your paint code, if you are doing a all over job it will match perfect. If you are fixing repairs then blending will need to be done. PPG ,Dupont, Martin Senour(Napa) Glasurit are all excellent paint. I prefer PPG.


Brian Felts

 

NAPA guy in Trenton / Ewing scorned me for painting it myself. He literally said "Well, if you don't know what you're doing, use this, the top shelf is for the pros". I said not a word, as I walked out the door with some primer, triple etch, thinner and sandpaper on late Saturday PM. He charged me $35 for a QT of primer, which I will be taking back tomorrow. I swore them off last time for overcharging on a distributor. They wanted $130, Autozone was $105. Identical parts. NAPA at least locally has lost my business, and I have 4 cars and 2 tractors that I am constantly working on.

Went down to Colours and bought primer for $12. Colours did a credible job matching. They have PPG.

I havent painted a car since the 70's. Back then, we used acrylic lacquer on the hot rods, acrylic enamel on the rest. Base coat, Clear coat is much easier to spray. Labeling on the products hasn't changed. Usage directions are non existent.

I am down to reassembly, pin striping and final clear coat. It will be nice to get this project finished.


81U is the code on for this Red Paint.

 

High probability that the Van Nuys 81U is a base coat clear coat. This can be confirmed if you have your RPO sticker. They used a water based primer which is why most of the mid 80's cars need repainting in the first place.

I also don't see "sealer" in that list of supplies.

Repair Surface
Filler
Glaze
Prime
SEALER
Base
Clear
Color sand
Buff Compound
Polish Glaze

 

81U is the code for GM Bright Red, if i were you i would use clear over basecoat,it lasts longer than direct gloss, direct gloss tends to bleach a pink colour after a few years of UV/Sunlight.

 

.Sounds like you bought some laquer primer.Did you know that you shouldn't spray Urethane over laquer primer.You've probably seen those places in paint jobs that look like little cracks going in different directions.Can't get much cheaper than laquer.

 

what kind of primer was it? we just painted my engine bay with PPG DP90, a self etching epoxy primer. it was $30-35 for a quart, and the guy that painted it for me swears that it's the best product out there. well worth the money imo. i don't know much about paint, but i would have to agree with mike-91 that you probably purchased a cheaper, lower quality primer. i was more than happy with the epoxy primer, and will probably use that when it comes time to paint the whole car. just remember, you get what you pay for.

 

I would use PPG Omni....Thats just my opinion.....Napa paint sucks really bad.....I would go wit PPG Omni and a nice Epoxy Primer...

~RJ~