Technical How to distinguish Laquer from Enamel?

Hi Guys,
is there a trick to distinguish enamel from lacquer? Can i try certain solvents?

Thank you
Joe

 

Not sure, but you must really be in the Xmas spirit!

 

Maybe look for Orange peel in the paint!
Jimbo

 

Put a little lacquer thinner on a rag,and rub the paint where it wont show like a lower wheel well.If you get color on the rag its lacquer.

 

^^^^^
That is my method.

 

Someone once told me that lacquer is smooth and soft while enamel is hard and not as smooth.

 

My 1964 Caddy is factory lacquer except the right rear quarter. The break point is the back edge of the door. The factory lacquer is so smooth to the touch. The rear quarter is not as smooth and harder to the touch.

 

Lacquer cracks. Brittle.
Enamel goes on thicker,
More like a heavy glue.
Acrylic lacquer
and acrylic enamel
are newer formulations.

 

Lacquer paint will gum up a 60 grit grinding disc in a jiffy.

 

Acrylic lacquer -1956
Acrylic enamel -1968

 

I've been painting since vocational school in 1982 and I don't know of a way to tell them apart! I sprayed a lot of lacquer in the beginning, and I'd put Dupont 380S clear over it sometimes, then I've sanded and buffed an unknown amount of enamel jobs, so unless it's full of cracks (which can still be caused by too much lacquer primer under enamel) i have no clue. I'd say that some 2000 grit and soapy water, if it cuts clean, it's probably lacquer. But hell I don't know lol

 

Lacquer ~ 7000 B.C.E.

 

What irishsteve said. Fast and easy way. My 57 was painted in 1981 with lacquer and except for a few areas that have cracks it still looks pretty good.

 

They are chemically different.

 

T H A N K. Y O U. G U Y S
for your great support!
Joe

 

They smell different in the can.

 

My original 1939 flat lacquer will shine up with lacquer thinner and a rag, not even enough to do the whole car. And the rag turns black quickly.

 

GM info says they stopped using lacquer in 1981...I don't know if GM was using lacquer on all vehicles or just some by 1981

 

You can thin enamel with G.P. thinner for spraying but it you try to spray acrylic lacquer over enamel paint it will craze up and resemble hitting it with paint stripper.

 

It really depends on WHY the OP needs to know ..there are so many different paints available that "enamel" could be most anything , from synthetic to epoxy to urethane to acrylic to catalyzed to heat cured to air dried to water based , tough to give an accurate answer ..

 

Sprayed a lot of lacquer in the late 80s its hard and brittle. If its been on the car for a long time it will check somewhere. Enamel if not hardened will plug sandpaper. You will get a deep look on well sprayed lacquer job and almost chunky look on A enamel job.

 

Tape off a small area that doesn't show. Lightly scuff with some 320 sandpaper. Spray the area with rustoleum clear lacquer (or similar). If it gets shiny again, it's lacquer. If it gets dull, or lifts/crinkles, its enamel.

 

Not with any of the catalyzed or activated enamels .