Last ones were for the 1988 model year (1987 for Buick G-Bodies, there were a few 1988 model year Chevy & Olds G-Bodies produced through December of 1987). ... My caddy has lacquer paint (and its cracked on the top of the car/ front clip) As previously posted, different manufacturers started using two stage paint at different times but I think many manufacturers started switching in the mid-late 80's. This provided an excellent base for the lacquer, but we did use a lacquer sealer before the color was applied. There are some alternatives though. My '88 M3 and my '91 Ranger both have single-stage paint. But you're right, to the best of my knowledge GM never used high solids enamels to any extent on their assembly lines. But t the time lacquer was used because it wsa the best technology available. Acrylic lacquer was the primary paint formulation used by General Motors for the majority of the production years in which classic Corvettes were manufactured, serving until the early-'80s. I worked at a GM dealership body shop in the early 1980's as we did a lot of base/clear acrylic lacquer. Solid colors were almost always single stage. Early 80s was the beginning of urethane." This was the reason that the paint on all of them looked like crap towards the end...GM did not put any money in the paint shops at the factory as they knew they were killing those cars off. There is a reason GM stopped using them.. wookie: "the lacquer paint jobs back then lasted about 10 years. Or did they have a clear coat that went over them? *** Lacquer is no longer available, and unfortunately many of the original Gibson automotive lacquer colors were not translated to the new low VOC paint formulas. Definitely lacquer. So for the most part were lacquer a single stage paint? Morton paint Co.'s Eliminator is a very high build, dense polyester (as in fiberglass resin) based primer similar to Evercoat's Featherfill. In the U.S., the manufacturers switched from enamel to lacquer based paints in the mid 1970's. Many manufacturers are in the process of changing over to water based paint. Start your paint job right by picking a paint system and using it through the entire paintjob. In 1981, Corvettes were produced with two different types of paint. The term lacquer is used for a number of hard and potentially shiny finishes applied to materials such as wood or metal. Lacquer setups.. spray cans.. etc.. they will last great in covered areas without salt etc.. like underbody or interior. Too many things can go wrong with paint, so give yourself an advantage by using … GM didn't stop using lacquer until the early 1980's Ford and Chrysler used almost exclusively high solids enamels in their paint assembly lines for many years. Lacquer paint would not contain lead. I used to use lacquer on Corvettes in the 70's over Morton Eliminator 2K primer. Ocasionally metallics back in the day were single stage in laquer, but any custom work in metallic, candy, or pearl was al multi-stage. And never believe the myth about using lacquer primers under acrylic enamel or urethane paint. Lead was used in Enamel paints. However I beleive the manufacturers stopped using lead in automotive paints much earlier. FWIW - I've noticed metallic colors were converted to 2-stage before "solid" colors. In 1982, console mounted clocks were quartz units and had the word "QUARTZ" printed on the face, while the 80-81 years did not. These fall into a number of very different groups. Lacquer was applied at the St. Louis plant, and enamel was applied at the new Bowling Green plant. 'S over Morton Eliminator 2K primer in automotive paints much earlier was applied at the Louis... Primers under acrylic enamel or urethane paint Louis plant, and enamel was applied enamel was at... Best of my knowledge GM never used high solids enamels in their paint assembly for... 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