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Hi Curt, The Delstar w/DXR80 hardener is an excellent acrylic enamel -- if you can find it. It is no longer available in my area. Acrylic enamel as a paint chemistry is not favored any more in the autobody shops which now deal mostly with OEM BC/CC urethane systems. PPG's Delstar and DuPont's Centari are --or were-- "high-end" acrylic enamels (an oxymoron in today's world) and really cannot compete with lower cost "economy" lines like OMNI and NASON for the "low-end" automotive work. That's the reason why no supplier in my area currently maintains the mixing tints for it -- low demand. I suspect that is the same reason in Butch's area. When you compare prices between the DAR and the OMNI MAE (both acrylic enamels) be sure to compare based on a ready-to-spray (RTS) basis. The DAR is higher in solids than the MAE -- it goes a little farther for the same amount of color. An example: DAR mix = 8color:3reducer:1hardener
OMNI MAE mix = 8color:1reducer:1hardener Therefore 1 qt of DAR color = 1.5 qts RTS material
and 1 qt of MAE color = 1.25 qts RTS material The mil thickness per coat is about the same. You might be able to get by with only 2 coats with the DAR -- PPG recommends 2-3 coats. When I used DAR years ago, I always used 3 coats though. The DAR will be more expensive in any event, even after you add up the costs of reducers and hardeners. Is it worth it? Perhaps. It sprays very nicely and is a better quality level, IMO. However, I would consider moving up in chemistry and using the OMNI MTK acrylic urethane instead of the MAE acrylic enamel. This option would only be a little more expensive than the MAE and likely still less expensive than the DAR. I am also an AC early persian orange guy and I couldn't get the equivalent to the 60080 in Centari. Like Butch, that lead me to the OMNI MTK urethane which I have found to be very satisfactory and cost effective. If you have access to the DAR and are willing to pay a little premium for it, go for it. You will be completely satisfied with the result. Just make sure you get all you will need, including DTR reducers. They may not be available if and when you might want to go back for more.  Rod
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