Knowing about the different car paints helps you choose the right product for a refinishing job of your ride. There are three main types of car paint to choose from: lacquer, enamel and urethane. Each one of these paints have advantages and disadvantages.
Car lacquering is an old school technique of car finishing and is currently mostly used for show cars. The smoothness and gloss of lacquer finish is outstanding. But according to professional refinishers in Gothenburg, this finish is not practical for your regular commuter cars. As pretty as lacquer finish can be, it ages too quickly compared to other paint and requires a lot of maintenance. Exposure to sunlight can cause the finish to crack and become chalky.
This isn't to say that lacquer has no practical automotive application. It performs fairly well for fixing minor paint deterioration. The paint sips right into microscopic gaps and cracks similar to wax and cures to a smooth and glossy finish.
There are various kinds of enamel and urethane paints with varying properties. Two enamel or urethane paint can have very different look or durability depending on chemistry. In general, enamels are softer and normally cures to a glossy finish while urethanes are generally the more durable product but can be more difficult to spray. Enamel are also normally less expensive than urethanes.
Due to the variety of these paint products and the constantly evolving paint technology, it can be difficult for an ordinary car owner to know the specific properties of each. It is because of this that an owner needs to have a trusted car service or refinish center that can explain all the nuances about different products and help him or her choose the right car paint.