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Just bought a 51 Packard. Love it !

It is going to need paint. I think original paint is on.

Was original lacquer or enamel ?

I'm looking for recommendations on what primer to use on top of original paint.

This is a budget job. I plan to do bodywork, prime, mask, and my local Maaco is going to paint in urethane. I know the guy at Maaco and I had a car done there earlier - so I think they'll to a respectable job for the money.

Thanks !

Dave, Packard has used lacquer since the late twenties. There are several places where you can buy real lacquer or acrylic lacquer. Just give them the paint code from the data plate. I bought my paint from Hibernia and was well satisfied. Lacquer is very forgiving as to mistakes.
Urethane is a good choice also.
Mal will be along shortly to urge you to post your 51 in the owner's directory.
Last, but certainly not least, to Packardinfo.com. It is a rowdy bunch but always willing to help.

I'd like to recommend you also consider Earl Scheib. Like you, I am on a budget.

Scheib did a great job on mine, and treated me very well. The whole job was only $400.

See SCHEIB PAINTJOB on my server.

Good luck however you do it. It sure does make a difference. Plus, a paint job will make your car run faster and perform better. Seems that way, anyhow!

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G'day Dave,
Here I am, and I'd like to add my as well.

As Randy said, and to "share the love", could you please include your '51 in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

Dave,

for including your '51 in the Registry.

1. Any guidance on primer I should use ? I think I'll end up with Original paint -> primer -> urethane paint (from Maaco or Sheib). I don't want to use an incompatible primer.

2. Thanks for web link on your Sheib paint job - that's exactly what I'm trying to achieve with this project - a good looking driver.

3. I did put my Packard in registry - I'm on road and will add more info later. I don't even know what model it is...

4. Any way to get automatic email when this thread is commented ?

5. How'd you do the "quotes" in posting ?

Have a great day !

Dave,

For primers you may want to look into this company Southern Polyurethanes (SPI). I have used his primers on my car. If you have any issues or problems you can call and talk directly to BarryK the owner and founder of the company.

He had me call him to help me set my gun up for evening spraying some other companies color. Talk about nice service.

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I'm in California. Where can one buy acrylic lacquer paint?

Can it be bought mail order?


Thanks,

Looking at different forums, several members of assorted clubs are asking that very question.

The consensus is acrylic lacquer has been pretty well phased out now starting around 2003. A couple mentioned going to a store in Nevada or Arizona in person bringing it back but that was a few years ago. Hibernia was mentioned as possible place but others say there is a 25K fine for anyone shipping/receiving a VOC regulated product to Calif so that wasn't an option for them. I don't know if that's so but wouldn't be surprised.

Some mention the new Duplicolor formulations as working well but doubt we'd find our colors. Appears at quick glance, not too many options.

EDIT. Should have said phased out for us. Apparently there was an old formulation and a new lower VOC formula. A few said the newer one didn't work well applying over the older coats of anything.

Don't know about California requirements, but acrylic lacquer can be bought from Hibernia, Bill Hirsch, and I believe Tower Paint, to name a few. Quite a few high-dollar bona fide Classics are still finished in lacquer. I'd suggest a call to one of the vendors to see what they might be able to tell you about various state regulations.