Howdy Folks!

I am finally starting to get things in gear to restore my Garnet Red 69 RS/SS 396 conv. My wife works for a division of Akzo Nobel chemical company, who manufactures Sikkens paint, and she can get an employee discount on their paint and supplies. I have a friend who is a painter in a local body shop, and they use the Sikkens products, so he is familiar with how their products lay out. However, he does not purchase their supplies, and cannot offer me any feedback on the pricing we were given. I thought I would ask some of you all who have done restorations what you think of the product pricing. Any feedback on the products is appreciated. The person from the company whom we talked to also said that the UTech paint is their lower grade paint, but that it is actually a pretty good product and it lays out good. She also said that they make a second-tier product called the Lesonal SB system.

I am listing the prices for all three products:

Sikkens Line:

Base - $289/gal
Base reducer - $56.36/gal
Clear coat - $149.46/gal
Clear coat hardener - $60.03/qt

Lesonal Line:

Base - $224/gal
Base reducer - $28/gal
Clear coat - $103/gal
Clear coat hardener - $53/qt
Clear reducer - $14/qt

U-tech Line:

PolyBase - $108/gal
BaseCoat Activator - $18/qt
Clear Select - $43/gal
Clear Select Activator - $26/qt
R200 Reducer - $24/gal

Thanks for any feedback!

My brother only uses Sikkens in the body shop he owns. It costs more than other brands but covers great . After you figure all the time and money most people have in their Camaros, this is one of the last places I would skimp.

I really like the Sikkens paint on my '67.

Thanks for the reply, Oakster. Nice car! I really like the '67's - I have a 67 RS/SS conv that might be next. Is that Royal Plum or black? Hard to tell from the pic's.

I am just trying to find out what kind of a deal they are offering us on the prices. Probably going to go with one of the three systems anyway.

The color is called Black Garnet Pearl. It is a Lexus color from the ES330 that my wife chose. Depending on the light it is black, plum, or burgundy. It has a little bit of metal flake in it too. I've been toying w/adding white or gray cowl stripes.

I can't get you what my brother's costs are b/c he is on vacation for the next week. I just know he been doing autobody for 25 yrs and has used a number of different paint lines. When he had the choice, he went to Sikkens. They do a lot of collision work and the extra cost eats into his profit but he feels he comes out ahead w/the quality and reduction in "do overs".

Good luck w/your car and I'd love to see some pics when you're done w/it.

Hey oakster- nice car! I was wondering who had that license plate. Where abouts are you located? I'm up on the North Shore.

I've been toying w/adding white or gray cowl stripes.

IMO, a white bumble-bee stripe with just a hint of pearl would set it off perfectly...

I have painted a couple cars with lesenol, and was very pleased. I have used the u-tec clear and been happy as well.

Try some pro-spray if anyone sells it in your area. Its half the price of sikkens (which is my all-time favorite) I hear that prosprays clear is actually made by sikkens

I use pro-spray base myself, I love it. Their clear originated as a morton product, usc bought morton and pro-spray. Good stuff you will like it if you can find a dealer near you..

I've also used u-tech and lesonal. Lesonal one time and a long time ago so can't comment much, but from what i remember was decent.
U-Tech, was at one time growing a really strong reputation, growing in large numbers, but they got bought out. so not sure what is going on with their stuff now.. haven't used it since..

Right now i use the pro-spray and southern polyurethanes lines.. both work great, and work great together.