I went back and read the entire thread and wanted to post a little about paint chemistry that may help everyone out there. This is what I do for a living and have found that once you understand a little background, the puzzle pieces start to fall together a little easier.

Paint can be broken down into basically two chemical categories - thermoplastic and theromset. Lacquer, acrylic or not is considered a thermoplastic. That means it can be broken down with either heat or solvent. The oily residue may discolor it a little bit but add heat to the equation and you have a recipe for it coming off. That's why raw fuel reacts slowly but hot exhaust products react poorly with a lacquer finish. Time isn't much of a factor when it comes to lacquer. Lean against someone's old lacquer finished Vette with fuel or solvent and you had better have your running shoes on. Acrylic is a plasticizer that is added to alot of paints to add to thier durabilty and flexibility. Acrylic lacquer will hold up better than the old nitrocelluose.

Thermoset describes enamels. These products cure by oxidation, a chemical reaction with air. The more time that goes by the stronger they become. These types of paints are very durable and extremely chemical resistant. Rub as you will but they will take punishment. From previous posts I read about laquer over enamel and vice versa. Excellent advise, pick a system and stay with it - you'll be alot happier.

Latex is great for durabilty and chemical resistance. Try and scrub the paint off your living room wall. If it gives you the finish you want, great. Being waterborne there are no chemical compatibility problems. Adhesion sometimes - but our planes are pampered, don't sit in the weather all day and don't get beat with road salt. We have alot of leeway with our planes that in my automotive profession we don't. Experiment, find what works for you and let the rest of us in on it. Hope this helps someone out there.

Regards,
Dan