From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Paint blistering and dulling issues when using cellulose lacquer on a car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\1\ scan0002 | |
| Date | 15th February 1926 | |
| to C/Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} from EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} copy to L.H.S.{Lord Herbert Scott - Chair} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} XL659 EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}10.15/2/26. RE CELLULOSE LACQUER. We thank you for your C/Hn{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}9/MH{M. Huckerby}6.2.26. re the above. Hooper's arranged for Carolus of Hendon to finish 9.PK. with cellulose enamel as they had previously made a good job of a repaint on a Daimler for them. The Enamelcar Co. could not undertake the work. The car was delivered and returned at least three times, the complaint being blisters around the mouldings. The cause was interaction between the sealing coat and the oil undercoats. The sealing coat is apparently an extremely thin coat of lacquer which has to be so rapidly applied that it dries before it can attack the undercoats. In the mouldings it collects and soaks in, destroying the nature of the oil paint. Where the blisters occurred it was possible to lift the lacquer coat up and then to completely peel the panel. As they were unable to cure this after several attempts we agreed to accept the car as it was on special terms. The repainted car, done for Hooper's succeeded because the oil in the undercoats had oxidised with age. The general finish was excellent and the surface very hard. We were told, however, that on exposure to rain the surface dulls. It is then very hard to bring the surface up again without an abraisive such as Simonize Kleener. It is much harder work than it is to deal with a varnish finish. The fine dirt which collects on a body serves a the necessary polishing compound, hence it is recommended to wipe the car down, as far as the body is concerned. | ||