What is the difference in the two paint types? Which is the most durable? I have been told that lacquer is not used much any more.

Which is the best for a first time painter to try? ( I guess this is not my first time if you count the 3 demo derby cars I have painted)

 

Enamel is more durable then lacquer. Lacquer is pretty not available much anymore. The place I worked at over 10 years ago had me dump all the lacquer paint they had on the mixing system into the waste barrel. Lots of money that was being thrown away. Lacquer was air dry and had to be buffed out after painting to get the gloss. Enamel you can get with a hardener for chemical cure. It has gloss when it drys, but can be wetsanded and buffed if needed. Enamel is pretty much old tech now, but still a decent paint to use depending on what your expectations are. In terms of durablility, I believe it goes lacquer being the least durable, then enamel, then urethane, then polyurethane. Most bodyshops nowadays use a base/clear system, with the clear being urethane. A base/clear system is less likely to fade then a single stage. The clear has uv protectents in it, and will also create a deeper look. A quality base clear should last a very long time, but a single stage enamel should last 5 years or more. The sun may eventually fade out the color, expecially with reds, but if taken care of and protected with a wax or some other protectent when the paint has cured for enough time, it may last quite a long time.