Acrylic, enamel, urethane, acrylic enamel, acrylic urethane… huh?

jcmeyer5

jcmeyer5

Having fun learning!
I’m trying to be smarter, but it’s hard, so please forgive my lack of jargon. I’ve seen these terms thrown around in different combinations. I’m assuming some refer to pigment types while others refer to carrier material? My son and I are shopping for a single stage for his car. We found the color we wanted in both acrylic enamel and acrylic urethane. I know I should and will select the urethane, but what the heck is the difference? Is there a good read for the non-chemically endowed that dumbs it down for us? Thanks.
 
I found this bit amusing when researching the differences.
Acrylic enamel, however, is a better choice for replicating factory orange-peel paint jobs, which is a finish that dries with a bumpy surface rather than smooth. This effect is much more difficult to replicate with urethane paint.
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I have orange peel in my urethane all the time. I never knew I was so talented! :p
 
SS Enamel has resins and color, NO clear added.
SS urethane has resins , color, and clear added.
That's why some people clear SS urethane if it's metallic if they plan on sanding it.
This is my understanding of it. Someone else may have a more indepth explanation.
 
Interesting. Is enamel “activated” as urethane is? Or is that part of the difference of it not having the clear?
 
I have sanded/buffed solid color SS but was under impression metallic SS couldn't be sanded/buffed because of disturbing the metallic. Never tried it so I don't know whether or not it can be done.
 
elwood said:
I have sanded/buffed solid color SS but was under impression metallic SS couldn't be sanded/buffed because of disturbing the metallic. Never tried it so I don't know whether or not it can be done.
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Did it years ago with a Ford truck that I painted in a barn. Metallic red SS. Cut and buffed it. It looked decent given my limited experience at the time. Didn't look "weird". I agree though and would not recommend cutting and buffing SS metallic.
 
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