a11y wrote:Dave
Go on then, what's the difference between 1k and 2k lacquers then? I've got zero knowledge of these and you've just confused me further over what lacquer I should use for my wheels...
Also, what quantity I'd need for doing 4 wheels?
Cheers
Ally
1k and 2k is just like say UHU glue and Araldyte, one is a one part and one is a two part.
2k is what most spray shops will use as it's fast to dry to a very hard level, is very hard wearing and good chemical resistance etc, just it's harder to use needing mixing and cleaning form your gun etc... you can't get an aerosol tin of it for example.
The main reason it's used really is speed. You can clear a load of wheels in a booth, leave them an hour, take them out and they are rock hard and can be cut back etc right away. That means fast turnaround and a good long lasting finish. It really is the best of all worlds apart from the kit to use it...
1k can come in tins as you have seen, but it takes longer to go off, so needs to be kept away from dust for maybe 12hrs, kept warm, and doesn't fully harden for a few days, so no fitting tyres on it for a while otherwise it might just rub it off.
It's not as hard when it does go off, nor is it as chemically resistant, so every year you might just want to polish it back up to get it super sharp again... keeping the wheels waxed and cleaned well will offset those problems a fair old bit. I've seen 1k laquers on wheels looking great 5 years later!
So, for DIY use it's perfect. You can leave your wheels in a dry warm room for days on end to harden, which a spary shop can't afford to do, or maybe customers can't wait for! (ie, a whole resprayed car sat in a dry, clean, warm booth for days waiting for the clearcoat to harden, not economical
)
Both can be bad for your health, 2k is bad because you breath in a fast drying vapour, so kinda like plastic in your lungs over time, so an air-fed mask is ideal really, and then you need another compressor for your gun, thinners, etc etc... gets a bit silly for just four wheels when you are in no rush, but it is ultimately the best product to use.
1k is also bad, because it can also contain the isocyanates in the product, or others which are equally as nasty to harden the product when curing etc.
I'm far from an expert really. I think 1k stuff should be fine, just longer term the finish won't be as tough as two pack products, but as said, unless you literally wash wheels once every 6 months and don't give a crap it will be fine. Using the appropriate products and good quality ones where you can will improve them no end. Ie, a very good 1k prep/application will probably match a poorly done 2k with cheap 2k gear
Dave