Durable paint?

[Jim Oaks]

What would you guys say is a durable paint?

Back in the late 90's when I painted TRS-1, Imron was considered a very durable paint. I can honestly say I have never scratched it on the trails. I've scuffed it....but not scratched through it. It's a single stage paint (no clear).

I'd like to repaint TRS-2 this year. Right now it's a BASF base coat clear coat. Not sure what I want to go with. I may revert to Imron since I know it's durable. I was just wondering if there was something newer out there I wasn't aware of.

 

[Black'03LevelII]

how about por-15, that's the stuff they use on dump truck bed and front end loaders, seems to take one heck of a beating before scrtching or rubbing off. not sure where to get though, sorry.

 

[mhughes165]

you could always take one of you local linex guys into doin the truck that way, if u got s buddy that does it they could he;p ya out and they can do many different colors, will neverscratch or chip that shit, and will also help prevent against rockrash and things of that nature

 

[Jim Oaks]

no no no...

I want a nice finish. Glossy.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

how about por-15, that's the stuff they use on dump truck bed and front end loaders, seems to take one heck of a beating before scrtching or rubbing off. not sure where to get though, sorry.

Por15 doesn't like UV light and will breakdown and fall off, it needs to be top coated.

 

[sparkdic]

Yeah Por -15 is designed as an under coating, and is not UV friendly. i use POR on a daily basis at my day job for restorations, it works amazing in the right situations. For the outside of a vehicle Imron is still one of the best but most companys offer a "scratch resistant" Clear coat which is as tough as Imron and alot more user friendly, until set up. When it comes time for the finishing my jeep and my F-250 thats the route I'm taking cuz both will be 2 tone paint jobs and will both find their ways to the woods. If you only plan on going with a single color I'd say stick with Imron, but going more then one color then use the clear, (i hate paint edges) Hope any of this helps

 

[ZMan]

Do they even still make Imron?

 

[Jim Oaks]

The last time I used Imron was in 2003. They changed the formula from what I used in the late 90's.

I painted TRS-1 twice using Imron. When I painted my F-250 with it, it had a weird problem...

It seemed lke if I got something dark on it, it left a stain in the finish. I don't know if I had mixed something wrong or what, but I never had that problem before.

Not sure what I'm going to use.

Imron is a single stage paint. What you see is what you get. You don't clear coat it to get the glossy finish. If you're not good at laying down paint you can get shiny and dull spots. I've been lucky with it. Always had a shiny finish without any dull spots or runs.

 

[sparkdic]

Imron is still available, and yes they did change the formula to an extent, for environmental reasons. We've been using Imron on a few projects in the shop, and it seems to be holding up well. It is a bit more temperamental though.
If u wet sand and buff Imron within the first day its possible get a great finish without killing yourself, buffing pads and buffer. You'll find the same is true with the scratch resistant clears as well, yet they can be applied over most standard urethane base coats.

 

[Mutant Pony]

What happens if you clear over Imron? Does it just not stick? I'm not a painter but, I'm curious.

 

[ZMan]

What happens if you clear over Imron? Does it just not stick? I'm not a painter but, I'm curious.

it would be best to let it dry, wetsand with 600 or higher, then spray the clear. But really it wouldn't be necessary.

 

[jlloyd]

Jim you might want to call around to aircraft paint shops and see what they are using now.It used to be imron and now they use something a lot less toxic but still lasting.Jim

 

[sparkdic]

Imron actually makes a clear coat, but when imron is laid right and/or scuffed and buffed will have a high shine that will last for many many moons

 

[Snowplow]

Just buy that dupli-color paint shop single stage lacquer paint they sell at autozone now. Its ready to spray and its cheep. Even if it gets messed up, who cares. I saw them use it on Gearz and they said it works well, looked good on TV.

I'm going to paint my sploder with it come spring since there is very little paint that still has shine to it.

 

[ZMan]

http://www.awlgrip.com/awlgrip_pages/privacy.htm

I asked a guy at work today what he thought was a good durable paint. He mentioned this stuff. Its used to paint Boats. Its so durable guys are having their brand new million dollar yachts re-painted with it before they even go in the water. I imagine it must look good too, especially when buffed (though it might be a little tougher to do).

Also, there was a couple reasons Imrons formula changed. 1 was vocs (volatile organic compounds), which is basically the amount of solvents that evaporate off, and the amount of isocyanates in it (hardener basically). Guys were dropping dead in the spray booth because of the isocyanates. They build up in your system and don't break down, and once you reach the limit your body can handle, boom your dead..nasty shit. Any paint that has a hardener in it gives off isocyanates, and the only way to protect yourself from them is a supplied air respirator, which run $400 at the cheapest, even that isn't fullproof because you can absorb it through you skin. Of course the only people who really have to worry about it are professional painters, which is me :/