Re: [CR]Lacquer for Bikes

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

From: "Steve Neago" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
To: <LouDeeter@aol.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <fb.3a6871d8.2b9fefa5@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Lacquer for Bikes
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 02:24:52 -0500


Any CR members thinking of using lacquer clear coat may want to reconsider... While lacquer may closely match the original paint finish of the manufacturer, it tends to "yellow" easily when exposed to direct sunlight and over age tends to dull the paint finish and color. Some may like the "patina" look that develops with time, but I prefer a longer lasting enamel or acrylic clear coat finish.

For example, in 1975 I purchased a brand new Raleigh Competition from the bike shop where I worked. It was bright and gleaming when first purchased, but the finish started to dull after riding for several months. My applying wax helped a little, but the gold decals started to lose their sharp colors as the lacquer started to dull their look. The shop owner at the time tried to help me by attempting to remove the lacquer finish, but ended up removing part of the decals too! I believe the general rule at that time was that you could apply lacquer over enamel but not enamel over lacquer. This "rule of thumb" has changed over time as the paint materials have been modified by the manufacturers. This yellowed finish problem started me on my quest to find OEM replacement decals in 1976...

Lacquer finishes were applied by Raleigh because the paint materials were relatively low cost when compared to enamel paints at that time and were easier to apply. Imron had only started to appear on the market in the late 1970s and was very expensive and difficult to apply. I also sense that Raleigh had a "tradition" of using lacquer paints where changing to different paint materials was not tolerated. I always wondered if Raleigh used lacquer paint as a subtle way to encourage owners to upgrade to new frames with better looking finishes - planned obsolesence?

BTW, as far as Imron... early Imron paint may have have a tendency to chip easily, but the older paint tends to hold color without fading as much when compared to "newer" compositions of Imron. I have heard this several times from auto body repair shops. The colors that tend to fade the most over time include red, yellow, and orange colors.

Regards, Steve Neago
Cincinnati, OH


----- Original Message -----
From: LouDeeter@aol.com
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 9:04 PM
Subject: [CR]Lacquer for Bikes



> In a message dated 3/11/2003 8:56:41 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> losgatos@ix.netcom.com writes:
>
> > chip-prone first generation Imron really what is best for a state-side
> > mid-70's handbuilt, or lacquer? What the heck is "stoved enamel"
>
> I know about chip prone early Imron and I know what baked enamel is, but I'm
> not familiar with the use of lacquer for bicycles. Jonathan Greene is
> refinishing a couple of frames and he mentioned on Sunday that he was going
> to use lacquer, hand rubbed in the finest traditions of automobile paints.
> What are the pluses and minuses for using lacquer on a bike frame? Lou
> Deeter, Orlando FL