How Do I Know If My Paint Has A Clearcoat Or Not?

[TheDon]

My engine and drivetrain work is almost complete, and then I will move on to the exterior. I have a 1981 Porsche 928, and the color as they call it is Chiffon White. What I cannot find out for certain is if I have a clearcoat or not. I know that many white paints are often single stage, but is there a year that Porsche started applying clearcoat to their cars?



Thanks for the help, and I`ll post some photos when I have her wrapped up.

[clnfrk]

I`d be willing to bet that clearcoat hadn`t hit the market yet.

[TheDon]

that was my thinking as well, but like I said, I`m not sure.

[Invigor]

I`d say hit it with a small piece of 3000 grit sand paper and a little water, and if it turns white and not the color of the car, it`s got clear...guess that doesn`t work well in this situation. :nixweiss

[imported_GregCavi]

With an applicator or towel, apply a small amount of polish or paint cleaner, and work into the surface. If the color transfers onto your towel or applicator, you know you have single stage paint.



Greg

[SpoiledMan]

I`d be willing to bet that clearcoat hadn`t hit the market yet.



Sure it had. My dad`s 1980 280ZX had it as well as my sisters `80 Celica.

[III]

With an applicator or towel, apply a small amount of polish or paint cleaner, and work into the surface. If the color transfers onto your towel or applicator, you know you have single stage paint.



Greg



Do what GregCavi says:bigups

[MorBid]

I think all cars starting in the late 70`s or early `80`s started using the two part (BC/CC) system for painting. I have a `85 Buick Regal and I know it was caused I re-painted it.



I would just do what Greg said as it`s a valid test, or you could pull the paint codes of the RPO sticker and look them up.



MorBiD

[Grimm]

Don`t forget to get something that`s not white to use for an applicator or you`ll have a hard time figuring out if there is paint transfer.

[clnfrk]

Sure it had. My dad`s 1980 280ZX had it as well as my sisters `80 Celica.



My mistake... I could`ve sworn clearcoat wasn`t used until around `83 and later.