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Thomas’ Top Picks for the Best Automotive Paint Ultimately the type of car paint you opt for depends on your needs and budget. Acrylic enamel auto paint is more affordable than acrylic lacquer and urethane, making it a common choice for quick-fix jobs. The drying process is much slower than urethane paints and leaving a coat to sit for 24 to 48 hours before applying another coat is recommended.īecause acrylic paint is lighter than urethane, careful consideration should also be used when selecting a primer. Acrylic lacquer auto paints can be costlier than acrylic enamels. The application process, however, is slightly different than urethane, as acrylic paint tends to emerge in smaller droplets. Hardeners and other added chemicals are unnecessary, so acrylic paint is ready to go directly from the can. In this sense, water-based acrylic paint is far less toxic than urethane. This means the resin adheres to the product using water as its primary agent, whereas polyurethane paints often depend on a solvent. Urethane paint is the most durable auto paint and is also chip-resistant-when properly maintained, a coat of urethane paint will outlast most acrylic paints.Īcrylic paints are generally water-based. Urethane vs Acrylic Car PaintĪlthough it is difficult to replicate authentic factory paint nowadays, and neither acrylic nor urethane paint offers that option, many car restorers argue that urethane provides a nicer-looking finish. Urethane paints are an industry standard for automotive paint, and for the past two decades have mostly replaced acrylic paints as the best car paint and automakers’ preferred choice. Image credit: Shutterstock/Andrey Popov Automotive Paint-Buying Guide Urethane car paint, as well as acrylic car paints, are popular options, and we've chosen some of the best of them on Amazon to aid in your selection. Obviously, the aesthetic appeal is of utmost importance but other factors needing consideration include the application process, car paint drying time, potential health hazards, and automotive base coat paint and finishing options. When deciding on the best automotive paint for refinishing a car, there are many factors to consider. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best automotive paints 2022.