I tried to find out what type paint the Cat stuff is through local "Quinn" dealer but could not get an answer. I'm pretty sure it is just an Alkyd Enamel like most the readily available brands.

As far as the "water based" paints go.....better get used to it cause by the time the envirowhacko's get done that's all there will be.

A local company, Phoenix Paints, manufacture a rust-converting, water based paint, called Metalfix. This paint is totally non-toxic, and you paint directly over rusted surfaces (after a quick scrape and wirebrush, to remove flaky rust) .. whereby the paint converts the rusted surface into a phosphate-rich deposit, which chemically bonds the paint to surface.
Dear as sin, but works very well. It's extremely durable and will withstand enormous temperature variations. You can paint over the Metalfix when dry with any type of paint (water based, acrylic, urethane, spray enamel). Phoenix Paints sells worldwide, you can order from any country.

www.phoenixpaints.com.au/

Water based paints will form a big part of our lives in the future, better get used to it. Cat are at the forefront of new types of paints, and don't be surprised if Cat produce a water-based paint as standard practice, soon. I won't be sorry to see the highly toxic and carcinogenic thinners and paint constituents in the spray enamels, urethanes, and acrylics, go the way of the dinosaurs.

www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/chemicals/pdfs/caterpillar.pdf

I did a test spot of this paint. I painted a rusty radiator that is in the sun all day last year. The paint still looks good with shine, (semi gloss paint). I will be using this paint on my next restoration. Mixing Base is Rust-208037-1 and the Formula is 94-LS508-09. Bill www.rustoleumibg.com/product.asp?lvl=P&pnv=2&snv=3&pid=154

Hi Bill,
Seems a little early to assess....even the Alkyd Enamel is good for a couple of years.

Are you working with a local source supplier?

painter is correct acrylic enamal is the best i use dupont it seems to last a long time with all the hard work to clean and sandblast you want it to last a lifetime.here is a pic. of my d4 painted over 10 years ago.

After 40 years of painting all types of machines, I would say I prefer Acrylic Urethane. If I want to make something a show machine. I have used DuPont's Nasson and Imron. If you want a paint that lasts I prefer Imron, but it is costly. I used to paint a fleet of tractor and trailers for a large midwest milk distrubutor. When I started we painted everything in Acrylic
Enamel, with hardener. They lasted about 5 years max, before having to repaint. We switched to Imron and most did not need a repaint in the life of the truck.
You have to remember that this equipment was not high gloss whan it was new. Also the manufatures did not care that much about paint match. They were more concerned about getting the machines out the door.
I have a friend that is restoring a Bucyrus 41B Steam dragline. He used Imron Industrial paint on it and it has a nice finish to it. We call the machine the Bucyrus Corvette, it looks so nice.
Out west Waterbase paint is pretty much all you can get in the automotive field it will the main stay across the country in a few years. At this point thay are not going to do this to industrial colors yet.
Terry

I worked for the airline industry for over 35 years and the water base paint we tried to use was a bust. Went back to good old P.U. The white stood up fairly well but the red turned a Salmon in a matter of month's. I am using good old Acrylic with a hardener (Ellis brand) I think it is a PPG product. And----only $45.00 a gallon + hardener $15.00 a pint still cheap. Thinner is getting hard to find, they only supply low VOC thinner, so go out of state for the good thinner. My two cent's worth is DON'T use water based paint till that is all you can get. More of the government helping:deadhorse:

"OldNuc" wrote:

Yes, the stuff comes off in sheets. Proper primer is mandatory for good adhesion.

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Nissan shocks and struts
Nissan quick strut
Toyota shocks and struts

"OldNuc" wrote:

Yes, the stuff comes off in sheets. Proper primer is mandatory for good adhesion.

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Nissan shocks and struts
Nissan quick strut
Toyota shocks and struts

Well it was the government in CA that has lead the fight for water base paints. The GM plants that put out the cars painted in it years ago were in CA. I took a I-Car class in water base paints recently and and the topic was discussed as it started in CA and is now moving across the country. I think by 2014 all field refinish products for the automobile industry will be water base, with urethane clears.