Paint and Body Sikkens

FoxMustangLvr said:

Does Sikkens make multiple paint lines? Like Sikkens Premium, Pro, etc?

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Sikkens is the premium line. Akzo Nobel is the parent company. The next down the line is Lesanol, which is not a bad paint at all if you have some real experience painting.

It seems AN saved money with their Lesanol products by not providing much documentation with it (in short, how to effectively use their paint). A novice can use it, but an experienced painter can really take full advantage of it's potential. Still, quality wise, a step down.

I would compare Lesanol with Sherwin Williams.

All three still better than any PPG product or Dupont too.

I think that AN has at least on more line, but I'm not sure. We have practically every tech rep in the region at the shop helping us. I'll ask them tomorrow.

The beautiful thing about Sikkens, after about the second day, I didn't need them anymore!

68keyblr said:

Dave, have you ever used SPI (Southern Polyurethanes) products? If so I'd love to hear your opinion as to how they compare to other brands.

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I've heard of them, they're a small company. I've never shot their stuff though. I don't know if they make their own product or rebrand a larger companies paint line.

So I can't say much about them. Sorry.

chizler said:

Sikkens has always been a great product. The shop i work for just switched us from BASF to DeBeers and what a horrible call that was, but its cheaper so its gotta be better right. Just be thankful that your shop choose a great product instead of trying to save money.

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I shot R&M (a BASF paint line). It worked well for me.

DeBeers? Never shot them before. Their name makes me want to try them out though (De BEERS).

You a painter?

LX Dave said:

I've sprayed Sikkens one time years ago and really liked it. Unfortunately, I don't think we have a local distributor any more. I've resorted to using PPG for everything. I tried some of DuPonts high solids clear and hated it, though it did lay out nice. Been really happy with PPG, but just may have to look for another Sikkens dealer.

How's their pricing compared to others?
Not sure if you would know, but do they offer a clear like PPGs DCU 2002?

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Out of all of PPG's lines, it's ironic that I like their Deltron line the best. It being their cheapest line you'd think it's the crappiest. I can't stand Global or Nexa. I used to really like Global 20 years ago. They've let their paint lines really die out. It's like they don't give a crap anymore.

I haven't shot much of their Lesanol line, but I could safely say they have a clear easily equal to DCU 2002.

Sikkens is pricey, but when comparing apples to apples, it's cheaper.

Like the sealer, I use about 4.5 ounces to seal a mid size bumper. With SW or Nexa, I would use 6.5 ounces. Not a big deal until you paint 80-100 cars a month.

AND, as I stated earlier, it's stunningly beautiful.

I've been doing this long enough now (40 years) that I think I can get the shop to change based on my views. Here's to hoping. My manager is someone I've known since he started as a detail boy 22 years ago.

I think I may be getting old, I see a 40 year old as a kid now. I wonder what Joe thinks of me? @jrichker ?

Actually Sikkens can do the same, at least their base coat does. Really though just on any area that had been cut through. It has a very aggressive reducer.

All the other stuff though won't lift anything, primers, sealers, clear.

It's an easy fix though, you just spray a wet bed with their blending additive before color and you're golden.

But Sikkens clears are easy to shoot and lay out so sweet. It takes effort to run them.

I liked R&M myself as well. Decent paint line. At least it was, but Global used to be decent too. I'll take your word for it though that they maintained their line.