What is the Difference Between Duco NC Lacquer and PU?

Duco is a brand owned by Akzo Nobel (formerly ICI) and represents a Nitro Cellulose (NC) Based lacquer available in transparent and opaques. NC lacquers were widely used in the automobile industry to finish vehicle bodies to get a tough weather resistant, glossy film with performance far superior to the then prevalent enamels. But there were a few drawbacks to NC. NC Lacquers are highly viscous and take large amounts of thinner to thin to a sprayable consistency. Nitrocellulose on exposure to sunlight deteriorates, loses gloss and turns yellow. It is also notorious to apply on edges and often begin to peel off at the edges. The NC paints needed to be periodically buffed to remove the yellowed top layer. This leads to reduction of the paint film thickness. NC lacquers are also sensitive to ambient temperature and humidity during application. The temperature and humidity are known to adversely affect the gloss of the finish.

With the advent of Polyurethane coatings, NC began losing popularity as the preferred choice for vehicle body painting. PU as polyurethane is popularly known, has far better technical specifications to NC. PU is colour fast in sunlight and does not deteriorate even on prolonged exposure. PU forms a tougher film than NC due to extensive cross-linking introduced in the polymer. PU does not chip or peel off like NC. No buffing is required to maintain colour and gloss. PU can also be applied in a wide range of atmospheric conditions as compared to NC. PU is also easier to tint and match than NC due to the clarity of its binder and lower viscosity. PU can also be tinted to metallic shades. PU is also available in matt finishes.

Both NC and PU are used to coat wood and metal. These materials are also in wide use in home decor. PU is now the leading coating in the automotive industry and is fast gaining popularity in the decorative segment as well.

With green standards fast becoming the norm, PU is also available in water based variants that can be used to coat wood. They have a comparable performance to Solvent based PUs and are much easier to apply. They don't require elaborate spray equipment and also do not pose a health hazard as they can be brushed on.

For a wide range of lacquers and coatings, visit our online store.

Also available at our store :

How to get that Ultimate, Professional Super Glossy Finish for your Car

Ever wonder how The Fast and The Furious are always riding in beautiful, shiny cars, with that bright bling and showroom car finish?

How do they get that ride to be so damn Glossy!!!!! 

How is that black so Black and that metallic so deep???!!

Well, wonder no more, cause here is a step by step guide to that ultimate race car finish. Get that eye-popping gloss and deep colour by following the guide to the Ultimate Professional Super Glossy Finish for your car.

Be prepared for blood, sweat and elbow grease!

Before we flag off, lets look at why you need to put in those hours on your ride.

When the car leaves the showroom for the very first time and is the pride of your life, you see your dreams reflecting off the hood and into the orbit of your fantasies. Scenes of clouds drifting off the car, over the windscreen and over your head give you that high of flying in the open skies.

Those dream slowly loose their sheen as the clear coat of your car begins to loose its gloss.

The rigors of life begin to take a toll on your car. The mud and dust, hail storms and sunny parking lots, that unruly biker, all give your car's paint a really tough time. You take pity on the poor thing and one Sunday, decide to give it a much deserved bath. You use that shampoo that gives you super soft hair and massage it on to the hood as you would on your head. A generous splash of water and a towel down with a cotton/ semi cotton (or who knows what material) cloth in circular motion will get it dry.

The shampoo just killed its sheen and the cloth just made more swirl marks on the paint. Your showroom finish is long gone.

But... is there no anti-ageing Serum you ask???

We have just the prescription for you.

First off, give your car a nice pressure wash using water. No commercial detergents. Make sure all the mud and grime are washed off. Next, wipe your car using a clean, washed, 100% cotton cloth or a chamnois cloth. Wait for it to completely dry. Now, park the car in shade and wait for it to cool off. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation.

Personal safety first. Wear gloves and a mask before the next steps.

Here is the opportunity to introduce you to the trade secrets of the professional car finishers. That dead clear coat can be brought to life by rubbing, buffing and polishing it. How? you ask... The answer is, using specialty rubbing compounds and finishing waxes.

Rubbing compounds and waxes are available in a number of brands and avatars. After a lot of Indian market research, I have found that the ultimate rubbing compound is Meguiar's Diamond Cut 2.0 and the best wax out there is Meguiar's Hi-Tech Yellow Wax.

How do we use them?

On the cool car surface, apply the rubbing compound (Meguiar's Diamond Cut 2.0 is a liquid) with a microfibre cloth. Using a polisher and a wool pad, buff the surface. The speed setting on the polisher must be medium. Work one area at a time. If you do not have access to a polisher, buffing can be done using the microfiber cloth itself. After the buffing is complete, using the used area of the microfiber cloth, wipe off the dust caused by buffing. You will now have lesser swirl marks on the clear coat than before and an enhanced gloss will have developed.

How to maintain this gloss? The gloss thus developed can be protected using a wax polish.

Meguiar's Hi-Tech Yellow Wax is a Carnauba Wax mixed with other high grade ingredients. It adds richness and depth of colour and provides ultimate high gloss protection to any cleaned and polished paint surface. Shake the bottle well. Apply the wax one section at a time. If you are applying the wax by hand, use a 100% cotton terry cloth or sponge applicator. Use light pressure. Spread the wax evenly over the surface using overlapping strokes to ensure complete coverage. Allow the wax to dry to a haze. Now, wipe off excess with a soft cleaning cloth. Turn to clean side of the cloth for a final wipe.

Your car will now be the envy of your neighbors!

After Care 

• Never use commercial detergents and shampoos on your car. 
• Do not use pressure while wiping the car.
• Always use a soft microfiber or cotton cloth for wiping the car.
• Regular re-waxing will maintain the gloss for a long time.
• Your car will again be your pride and joy!

How to remove minor scratches and scuffs from car paint

Minor scratches on automotive paint, no deeper than the clear coat, can be easily removed and cleaned using a simple buffing technique.

Materials :
. 3M 1-Step rubbing compound
. Cotton waste
. 3M Premium Liquid Wax
. Wet sanding papers grit #1500, #2000

For larger jobs such as the complete painted surface of a car, a Polisher machine fitted with a Wool Pad is recommended.

Application :
. Squeeze a wet rag over the affected area and sand using water emery of grit 1500. Make sure the sanding is to the entire depth of the scratch. The surface will now be dull and devoid of gloss.
. Next sand the surface using water emery grit #2000 by first squeezing a wet rag over the surface. This removes scratches caused by the #1500 grit emery. 
. Apply a small quantity of the rubbing compound on the sanded surface.
. Using a handful of cotton waste gently rub the compound in a circular motion. If you are using a polisher gently press the pad against the area.
. Once the compound has been wiped off , vigorously buff the surface using the polisher or cotton waste.
. Minor scratches and dirt will be removed and gloss will also be restored.
. To further enhance the gloss, buff the surface by applying a small quantity of the liquid wax.

Your beloved car - shiny and scratch free !