Deciding Which Brand of Paint to choose

I restore American muscle cars as a hobby and have always used Sikkens or BASF products
When using BASF products it depends on the paint line. There is Glasurit which in my opinion is the best then R-M which is still very good and Limco which is their budget line that is used on fleet work and usually single stage.

 

I don't believe Sherwin Williams actually makes paint. The have jobbers make it for them.
Not sure about BASF.

 

Especially nowadays, and in California, a shop will commit to a system. A good paint job is 99% shop and 1% paint. Find the shop you trust, and then trust them to use the paint system that works best for them.

 

This.
But I am biased toward Glasurit or Sikkens as having the best formulas and support.
The SW, PPG, DuPont, etc. are good products too, but are aligned with budget in mind.
Most all shops will have a paint system in place which works for them financially, and for quality. All shops here in So Cal have to meet air quality standards, which may be different in other states.
Check the shop and their quality of repairs, and make your decision from there.
My 2 cents.

 

I seem to remember that either my TR or 360 had Glasurit on the paint-code decal. But like cls said, it is 99% shop.

Important also, like GT4Joe said, is to have a paint system. The primer, sealer, color and clear have to be from the same system. I use Matrix because I have a local supplier who can answer my questions right away. But what I can shoot here may not fly in SoCal (you ought to see my exhaust fans when I spray the clear)

 

One thing I have learned is good paint ain't cheap and cheap paint ain't good.

 

We used PPG and Dupont at our body shop for years, can't go wrong with either. Certainly not cheap however. That said, paint work is only going to be as good as The facilities prep and workmanship.

 

I just realized you are in CA.
I think its mandatory that all shops in CA use water now and not solvent.
In my opinion Sikkens has the best waterborne products.
Here is my GTO with Sikkens solvent based fresh from the booth.
Too bad its silver, a darker color would really show the depth.
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My Maserati GT has waterborne paint and it's garbage - does not hold up

Perhaps some are better than other..

Hey Dom - did you do the painting yourself? That car looks killer

 

If or when eating out, do you concern yourself about suppliers of every restaurant ?

 

Exactly.

Don't tell the shoe maker how to make shoes.

 

No, but 24 hrs later it usually looks like ****.