[Dream Master]

I guess I'll have to chime in here guys.
First, let me assure you I am fully qualified as an expert in automotive paints, not just a guy that knows how to use a key board. I was involved in Kick-starting Sikkens/Akzo Nobel (the Worlds largest paint company, yes, bigger that Dupont and PPG, BASF and all the others) to the U S. I did Custom painting and pearls back in the mid 60's when I had to buy the pearl paste pigment from a cosmetic, fingernail polish supplier on 42nd St. in New York, and mix my own pearls, when people didn't know that it could be done. I also was a contributing editor and wrote the paint shop column for Body Shop Business, the leading Collision industry magazine, and I am a certified ICAR instructor.

Keep in mind that all NEW cars only come with a 90 day warranty on their paint! Why? Because the factory cannot control the environment that the vehicle may be subjected to, or the chemicals that it may come in contact with. Acid rain is not the paint or the manufacturer's fault. Some things are not related to application or product (paint) failure, but are a result of the environment. That being said, All fiberglass bodies need much more film thickness of primers and fillers to make the slick for a show car appearance, than a standard OEM car at GM Ford, etc. With additional film thick comes a down side of possibly trapping solvents or moisture, especially. This has really not been a problem with our Superformance cars, and I should know as they call me with any paint problems. Yes there were a few older cars way back 1900 cars ago that may have shown some pinholes or blisters after a few years. The fact that 99 % had no problems, and that 99.9% showed NO problems for years after being put into service is a testiment to the quality of the paints and the application process of our factory. I'll bet SPF's failure rate/warranty paint work is much less that any Average new car dealers. Remember the older Ford, GM, and Chrysler delaminating/peeling factory paint jobs?

David, Unless PPG has changed their system, the two package isocyanate activated DP 40 is an Expoy fill primer that can be used wet-on-wet as am undercoat (not a fill) if desired, but only allows a 12-24 hour window in which to be recoated with a base color or single stage paint. The reason being that the activated DP40 has not attainded a full cure with solvent release and that the window of the crosslinking of the polymer and resin molecules had not been closed or fully linked, letting another application of product to chemically bond with it for adhesion. After this window has closed (time and temp) then you need to rely on a mechanical (sanding) adhesion. With any Epoxy and some paints, there may be a reaction such as burning or lifting when introduced to a thinner (when you sprayed your two tone color). Any time you spray a substrate with a thinned product (paint or primer) the solvent soak right to the bottom then make their way back up to evaporate. This will burn some epoxies and p[aint if it is done while the undercoat is still critical and in it's curing and drying process.

David, hope this helps.

Keep in mind that any paint is porous, just as a windshield is also porous. Moisture can be introduced to a paint job that will cloud and blister any paint. That is why a vinyl bar should never be left on a car especially if it gets wet and the sun comes out and then bakes, and steams the paint until it is ruined.

I think TKing understands that he had a great paint job for 6 years, and is not expecting SPF to warrant it. I believe he is not the original owner anyway. He is giving someone a deal. He knows what he paid for the car and he knows what fun he has had with the car and he knows what it might cost him to have the paint fixed. With all that in mind he says he will take $30K for this car. This is still a great deal, and someone should take advantage of this NOW.

Doug Reed