Do I need to add lacquer to the paint?

Do I need to add lacquer to the paint?

Touch up paint
Most paint suppliers supply their base coat paint without anything added to the mix, other than thinners. The paint often sinks upon drying, and a matt finish becomes present, as the solvents gradually evaporate. This process is exacerbated by the fact that touch up paint is often too thinned down, meaning a certain % is actually paint thinners, which is designed to evaporate. Most other suppliers add up to 50% thinners to the paint, making it a much more watery consistency.



Paint Gear supplies the paint as it is mixed, with only 5-10% thinners added to aid pouring and usability. We aim to keep the mixture as thick as possible, but not so much that it is unworkable, nor hinder its shelf life. 

The Gloss Enhancer additive
Our bespoke Gloss Enhancer Additive is a solvent based liquid that can be added to any solvent based automotive paint. The additive cannot be added to water-based paints, nor can it be mixed with non automotive paints.

Is the Gloss Enhancer additive already in my paint?
The Gloss Enhancer additive is already premixed into all 50ml Touch Up, Basic, Sprayless & Rub'N'Buff products. The additive is separately included in our Full Touch Up & Ultimate Touch Up products.

Gloss Ehancer vs Lacquer
Although these two products are fundamentally different, they do share the same purposes as one another. Both products are ultimately there to improve gloss and durability to the touch up process. However, unlike Lacquer, the Gloss Enhancer additive is not designed to be used on its own, or as a "top-coat". The additive must be used within the base coat mixture. Lacquer on the other hand, can be used both within the base coat mixture, as well as a stand alone product. Unlike the Gloss Enhancer, lacquer can be added completely separately, or without any base coat paint ever being involved.

The big question
"If there is already Gloss Enhancer present, do i even need to add any Lacquer?". This is a question we get asked a lot, the answer is Yes and No. 

Gloss Enhancer
The Gloss Enhancer is provided for its ease of use and versatility. It will add some bulk, shine and work-ability to the paint, as well as aiding drying and durability. It improves both the "rub and buff" & "sprayless" repair processes for the user. It is versatile and user friendly, with only minimal mixing required on certain kits, if required. In the products where it is premixed, the user can have a very much "set and forget" approach to their touch up work. Once applied, no further action is required.



Lacquer & 2k Lacquer
Traditionally, lacquer is mainly used as a finishing top coat that is applied once the work or repair has been completed. This is added to the process to add maximum shine and durability, once fully cured. It should be fully waterproof and able to cure completely, either on its own, or with an activator. A normal lacquer, with no hardener or activator, is called a 1k lacquer. A lacquer which requires a 2nd component, such as an activator or hardener, is referred to as a 2k or 2pac lacquer. Paint Gear sells a 2k lacquer kit, which needs both components mixed together to cure and harden. 2k lacquer is regarded as the best type of lacquer you can buy, as are most 2k products across various industries.

Adding lacquer to the base coat paint
The base coat Paint Gear provides, mixed with the Gloss Enhancer additive, will be sufficient for the majority of users and intentions. Once dried, it should be fully weather proof and not likely to be removed during future car care and jet washing processes. If a user requires further shine, durability and finish to their work, they may choose to add some lacquer to the paint mixture. Alternatively, they can add a layer on top of the applied paint, as a separate application. It is not recommended to add any more than 50% lacquer to the base coat mixture, with 50/50 lacquer and base coat mix being the very maximum ratio. We recommend adding a few drops to the paint in a separate cup, up to around 25%.

Things to consider
If you are adding a lacquer to the paint, it is recommended you do it in a designated mixing cup. Once a 2k lacquer is "activated", a chemical reaction has started, and the drying process has begun. If any activated lacquer is added to the touch up pot, it will begin to set all the paint within the touch up pot container, rendering it useless for future use.

Adding lacquer may also increase the drying time of the repair. In colder conditions, lacquers may take up to 24 hours to fully air cure. The area must not be worked on until the lacquer has fully cured.

It is not recommended to add lacquer to the process, when attempting Rub'N'Buff and Sprayless repair techniques.

Hopefully this has explained the difference between our Gloss Enhancer and Lacquer. If you require any further information, please contact us on our email address: info@paintgear.co.uk