Hmm.
Rktpwrd disagreed with what I'm going to guess was my assessment of the stripes and clearcoating issue. Differences in thermal expansion rates and reaction with the vinyl (causing discoloring) was what I was told many moons ago by a paint guy in the 80s on why you don't wasnt to clear over graphics. So I'm guessing that is incorrect? Maybe it was just a way to dissuade me from having him clear coat the 72 442 GM hood vinyl graphics when I was discussing a new paint job with him. Painted stripes were standard on all 442s in 72, but only on the trunk and sides, and if you had the W-25 ram air hood. The stock hood, like mine, had vinyl stripes. I asked if he could clear them or should I put them on later. And that's what he told me. Goes to show you- Never trust a paint guy.
🙂
Please, by all means, feel free to jump in and correct any misinformation.
It’s not very often that I disagree with pretty much ANYTHING you post, but I guess there’s an exception to everything. My response here is likely to be somewhat controversial amongst us paint and body guys, but here goes.
The reason I disagree is because things have changed and evolved considerably over the years. Paint and clearcoat technology isn’t what it was back then, it’s considerably better now. Same can be said about the quality of vinyl decals and graphics. Especially over cheaper entry level stuff. Yes, poor quality decals will lift and separate over time, especially with excessive UV exposure and heat, clear coat or otherwise. Better quality ones will not.
Many paint companies struggled badly with clear coat delamination and adherence issues throughout the 80’s, and again in the late nineties to early 2000’s when the push to water bourne base happened. It was those issues that forced the industry to improve their formulations and preparation practices to correct those shortcomings.
As with most things, the difference all comes down to how it’s done, and the products and processes that are used. Correct preparation and using high quality products is the critical factor, along with doing your due diligence in making sure the products are compatible with each other. For example, too much reducer (solvent) in the clear can eat into and react with the vinyl and the adhesive in the decal. Given the amount of time, effort, work and cost that goes into even an average paint job, it was likely too much of a risk for the painter you spoke with to even consider doing. That would be my estimation anyways.
I don’t just talk about things I have no experience with, I have (very) successfully clear coated over vinyl decals before with exceptional results. For example:
My dad is a big Honda motorcycle nut, and he restored a 1985 Honda GB 500 TT from the ground up. When it came time for the paint, he tapped me and asked me to handle the job. He had ordered factory original Honda logos and pinstriping decals for the tank, fenders and side covers. I laid down three coats of the factory metallic black-green paint (think a really dark British Racing Green, but looks black under anything other than direct sunlight) and then another three or four coats of high quality PPG Concept 2021 clear.
After the clear had cured, I wet sanded it perfectly flat with 600 and 1000 grits before applying the decals. I then buried the decals under a further 6 coats of 2021 clear, and let that cure as well. (That’s the most number of coats of clear I’ve ever put on a single project btw). After careful block sanding with 600, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit paper and then polishing, the decals were completely buried in the clear, smooth to the touch and the results were incredible. It was, and still remains to this day, some of the finest paint work I’ve ever done.
He cannot go anywhere with it without at least two or three people stopping him to ask who did the paint. I’m not boasting, just merely relating facts. Now granted it lives a pretty pampered life, it’s not exposed to the sun and elements outside year round, but that was over 20 years ago now with nary a single issue. So never say never, and you can’t say something's impossible or shouldn’t be done just because of one person’s opinion or bad experience. There’s always exceptions to the rule.
Proof of life, but ignore the date stamp on the pictures. I never bothered to set it properly before using the camera.
😅
Unfortunately these are pictures of pictures, but it’s all I’ve got at the moment and that in itself demonstrates how long ago that was now.
It still looks just as good as this to this day.
