37 Year Old Imron Clear

[Drewski]

In 1975 a Dupont paint rep. walked into my custom van shop and tried his best to get me to try Imron on my next paint job. He left me a setup of 1 gallon of clear. Almost all of our custom work at that time was done in acrylic lacquer. We did scenes, cob-webbing, metal flake, shading and a bunch of gaudy stuff at the time and I was afraid to use a product that I wasn't familiar with. I was especially afraid of the cure time slowing down our jobs.

Long story short....37 years later I still have the Imron that was never opened. General opinion is that the activator is no longer good. I would not dare shoot it on a car, but I would risk it on a trailer or maybe some shop tools. I really don't have an opinion on whether it will work or not.

Anybody ever shot any old polyurethane products? I will probably have shot it by the time I come back to this thread, but was curious what the predictions will be.

[gas pumper]

I got some, too. Same vintage. But a whole gallon of 192.

Just went out and shook the cans, they are all still liquid.

I'd think it would still work as long as yours are sealed and still liquid and not jelly.

[ham-boned-ford]

That stuff wasnt any good when it was new! Haha. id get some new activator and try it.

[VOODOO ROD & CUSTOM]

Allegedly, if unopened and exposed to the Air/Moisture, it will still be good. I used to use a lot of that clear. Unbelieveable stuff. Tough as Nails, Shine like Mad. Never dull back, fade, etc.... I was told years ago that activators keep fairly well if not opened. That Rep. also told me that once I opened the can to pour a few ounces into a mixing cup and add reducer. If the stuff turned into clear cottage cheese, it was N.F.G. If the mixture remained clear and mixed together with the Reducer, it would be O.K.

Wouldn't attempt it on a 20K paint job, but would try it out on a Gas Pump, Bicycle, Cooler, etc....

VR&C.

[mashed]

Don't cheat. Siphon-fed Binks over something Frazetta.

[19Fordy]

I was told that spraying IMRON requires wearing a fresh air resporator and suit.
Contains cancer causing chemicals.

[GassersGarage]

A guy I knew, back in the '70's, swore by Imron. He worked in an Auto Parts store but did body and paint on the side. His calling card was a black Baja Bug, painted black with gold flake. He would demonstrate by pouring battery acid and paint remover on his hood, then wipe it off. The paint shown like new every time.

[shoprat]

I painted my 57 with it long ago. Held up fantastic. Hard as hell. It's Black acrylic
enamel now that probably 10 yrs old when shot. I'd get new hardner and shoot it.

[duncan]

There's a reason that Kenworth used Imron back in the day, Its tough as nails. Its also deadly without a fresh air supply, very high in Isosionates, so beware.

[tb33anda3rd]

i doubt that any new hardner would be compatible. try it out on something small first. then report back.

[Jalopy Joker]

can get it on -Bay now. clear 1 3/4 gal $133 and activator 1 qt $114

[chopolds]

Good stuff! Back in the 70's, my mentor taught me all sorts of custom paint tricks. He used it to cover intricate graphics on motorcycle tanks, to protect them from fuel spills and rubbing. Also used it for final finish on race cars, same reason.
More recently, I used it to protect the polished copper plating on the Kopper Kart.
Not sure I'd use it on a modern custom paint job, though. I believe it's impossible to touch it up (blend it in).
Yes it IS toxic, but so is ALL modern urethane!!!!!!!

[Roger Walling]

If the activator has ever been stored below freezing temp., it has "come out of suspension". It will look ok, but, if you use it, it will give you the worst case of sand in the finish that you have ever seen!

Been there, done that.

[Zookeeper]

Originally Posted by Roger Walling

If the activator has ever been stored below freezing temp., it has "come out of suspension". It will look ok, but, if you use it, it will give you the worst case of sand in the finish that you have ever seen!

Been there, done that.

I agree. Old activator has bitten me more than once and caused sandy-appearing clear. I'd pass on using it if I were you.

[autobodyed]

open the can and see if it's still "clear", by that i mean make sure it doesn't look yellow. if the can was never opened, it should still be ok, but i would never use on a job for a customer.

[Dave B.]

Not any good? Then, why was it the 'go-to' paint for the aircraft industry for 30+ years? It's tough as nails, but applying it without a fresh-air suit is like playing with a loaded revolver. My ex-sister-in-law was a painter for Cessna. She loved shooting the stuff, but respected the fact that it could kill you!

Technology marches forward and it seems that Sherwin-Williams' Jet-Glo is the new favorite, although some of the die-hards still use Imron. The flyboys and girls say that Jet-Glo stands up to sun and weather with less fade than Imron.

[greazy john]

used it alot back in the day...excellent clear,would like to see back!

[nmbuellist]

I learned how to paint with Imron--on constuction equipment--yes It made me very sick in the 70's--thankfully now I don't have cancer now--it is the reason I have a full face fresh air respirator now--I once crashed my Econoline after painting and clearing with Imrom, found a piece of paint 2 foot square almost--so tuff I kept it for years to show

[thebronc4019]

Got some old stock black Imron and activator from swap meet real cheep. Don't know how old but, judging from condition of the can, I would guess 10+ years old. Shot the bottom of my Nash with it and it looks great. As long as it doesn't look funky in the can or when you mix it I think you will be fine.

[da34guy]

Probably would make an XLNT doorstop.