DUCO FINISH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 31 July 1926, Page 15

DUCO FINISH.

WHAT IS IT 2

It is assorted that 75 per cent, of American motor-cars are now "Duco” finished, and the phrase “Duco finish’’ has slipped into general use very much in the same degree as "balloon tyros.’’ Those motorists whose cars are Duco finished appreciate so well the advantages of Duco compared with ordinary varnish finish that the majority arc quite content to let it go at that and not bother their heads as to the how and wherefore —it is good, they have it, why worry? The average motorist should be glad to know just a little more about lacquer finish—for tlidt is what Duco is, a particular form of lacquer. One does not require to be a connoisseur to appreciate the superiority of lacquer and lacquer enamel finish, in the case of ornaments., furniture, etc., to the painted and varnished article. The difference alluded just about marks that between the ordinary and the lacquer finish to a motor-car. It can, moreover, be claimed that the advantages of the lacquer finish are enormously enhanced in the case of the motor-car compared with furniture or bric-a-brac. Exposed to wind and dust, rain and slush, the average motor-car has no sheltered existence, and the matter of keeping the car spick and span is no light task for the owner. It is here that lacquer finish, like a pen not now so much heard of in this age of the fountain pen, comes as "a boon and a blessing.” Who, with the varnish finish, would have attempted to dryclean his car after a dusty run? To do so would mean the ruin of the glassy finish through the abrasive action of the dust, but it can be done with impunity in the case of Duco finish. The enamelled surface is so hard that the lustre of the finish is in nowise affected by treatment that would be disastrous in the case of the varnish finish.

Uninfluenced ,bv climate, easy to clean, rubbing to a lustre 'which improves with age, impervious to such damage as scratches, blisters and cricks, and money-saving by reason of its long life and preservative qualities, lacquer finish should quickly become universal for all passenger cars. The opportunity is offered to motorists in .South Taranaki who have not become already possessed of the advantages which have been set out here to get on side. Messrs Hurrcll Bros., the Hawora firm of body builders, car and coach painters, etc., have given fresh evidence of their enterprise by installing a complete plant for lacquer finishing motor-cars passing through their hands for repainting. The firm has been appointed accredited agents for the Duco method, thus becoming a link in a chain which extends the length of the Dominion. Messrs Hurrcll have done some tine work, and their Duco lacquer finish stands up to all tests and has appearance equal to the examples provided by the imported ears direct from -America.

Duco is sprayed on to the surface to be covered. Air pressure, which can be regulated to suit the various processes, is the agent, and it is wonderful to see into wliat a misty vapour the viscous material is divided by pressure and distributed evenly over the surface being treated. It must not be thought that one spraying does the job, nor that all the arduous polishing and preparatory ■work is avoided—there is a lot of elbow grease required before the final result is achieved, but it is not neces-

sary here to follow the detail, what should be mentioned is the fact that the Duco work done by Messrs Hurrell Bros, has gained the unstinted commendation of the local motor sales agencies, which should be ample guarantee to the private owner for a satisfactory job. One important feature remains to be emphasised, and that is the fact that in the ease of a varnish finished car being sent in to receive Duco finish, if the paint is in good order, it is not necessary to remove same before applying the Duco process. The procedure in that case is to sandpaper and clean up the old surface, apply a couple of light coats of a "sealer” material, and then proceed with the Duco application. This gives a perfect job, and saves the cost of removing the original coating. Without the sealer medium it would not bo possible to apply Duco lacquer on varnish finish, as the Duco would blister and ruin the varnish surface without covering.

It will be found on inquiry that the extra cost of Duco compared with varnish finishing amounts to but a few sliililngs on a full size car, so that everything points to the fact that, within a very short time lacquer finish will be demanded in every new car, and few of those now on the road will not have been sent- in to the paint shop to be 1 brought up-to-date.