[davidgto]

What was the earliest clear coat was used in the resto hobby or business. I have a 65 GTO that was repainted in 1975 and looks to be clear coat. Was this used at that early date? I am not a paint expert.

[OG68]

My 70 El Camino was repainted in '88 with a clear coat. Like you, I'm not an expert as to when they started.

[65blackplate]

If it was done in 1975 its most likely lacquer clear..

[davidgto]

I wet sanded the trunk area and get no color on the sand paper or buffer.

[MUSLCAH]

My first encounter with a urethane clear coat over activated enamel was in 1978. I sprayed it on my 57 Chevy Wagon.....iam trying to remember the company.....it wasn’t one of the big players.Color International ..keep popping in my head....but I have inhaled a lot of paint fumes since then...so I could be wrong...but the 1978 year is correct.

[tjs72lemans]

While in the Navy, in 1978 I bought a Camaro. A sailor I worked with also had one and just had it repainted with urethane clearcoat.

[davidgto]

Is urethane clear coat a 2 stage process?

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by davidgto

Is urethane clear coat a 2 stage process?

Like noted...you probably have Lacquer clear on your car. Take some 2000 grit and scuff a small spot...if the residue is white on the paper....you have clear....if the residue is the color of the car....no clear. Back in 1975 there were no urethane clears around to my knowledge.

[davidgto]

Tried the 2000. White on the paper.

[MUSLCAH]

Originally Posted by davidgto

Tried the 2000. White on the paper.

There’s your answer

[400 4spd.]

Is the car white?

[davidgto]

Nightwatch blue. Really no color showing on paper or buffer.

[400 4spd.]

Great! If you do see blue on the paper or buffer it means shooting more blue over the cut through, followed with clear on the whole panel.
Not what you want............
Being shot so long ago the odds are a clear lacquer is what you're working with. MUCH thinner than a urethane clear, so proceed with great caution!

[davidgto]

Thanks so much