Different Types of Car Paints

Car paints began to surface in the late 1880s, shortly after the automobile was invented.

In those days, cars were still in its rudimentary stage, but advances in automotive technology paved the way for an evolution from earlier toxic automotive paints to safer and environmentally safe water-based car paints.

Nowadays, there are essentially four main types of car paints that are used in the automotive industry to paint our cars. Those types of car paints are: lacquers, enamels, urethanes and water-based.

At D&I, we utilize the highest-quality automotive paint for our painting services, auto body repair, and car restoration services. Each type of car paint that we've seen over the years has its own sets of pros and cons, which we'll go into below.

Lacquer car paint

Widely used during the mid-1920s to 1960s, lacquer automotive paints are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Lacquer car paints provide an excellent, glossy finish to the car, however, they are notorious for breaking down in face of heat, ultraviolet rays, and other weather elements causing the lacquer-based car paint to chip and fade.

With this in mind, lacquer paints aren't recommended for long-term use on vehicles.

Enamel car paint

Enamel-based auto paints can be used as a long-term paint because of its superior durability versus lacquer paints. Once the enamel-based paint dries, it forms as a durable, hard outer shell that does not break easily and can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. The one downside to enamel paints, it their complex chemical structure that makes it more difficult to apply, and certain colors require a clear sealing coat as a finish. Because of this, most DIY car restoration types that want enamel auto paints have the car painted by a professional, rather than opt to do it on their own.

Urethane car paint

Urethane-based auto paints are kind of like a hybrid between enamel and lacquer. Urethanes apply easily like lacquer, but tout the durability of enamel. That said, they are more costly compared to their counterparts and preparation can be quite complicated.

In a urethane paint job, a thinner (or reducer) is needed as well as a drying agent to speed up the drying time. Once the materials are mixed, the paint must be used immediately and any unused paint should be discarded because of their high toxicity. Urethane-based automotive paints also require a clear coat.

Water-based car paint

The use of water-based auto paints has not yet become mainstream practice in the automotive painting industry. However, many small-scale auto shops recommend its use and industry analysts consider it the future of auto paints. Because of its relative “newness,” the color selection for water-based paints aren't as vast as its urethane and enamel counterparts, which has played a role in its delay as the go-to choice for auto paint and car restoration shops everywhere.

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1779 Marietta Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 885-9575
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