Paint Question

[jwebb]

How many coats of stripe color and base color should be used before clear is applied, is 1 coat of paint adequate?

[GFX2043mtu]

There is no exact science here but I will say 1 coat is not enough and if you shoot 1 coat and it completely hides then you laid it on to thick. The spec sheet for your paint probably said something like 1 medium to heavy base coat and another 1-2 lite coats until hiding / desired coverage is achieved. The exact amount depends on the severity of the base and stripe color difference how you stripe the car, thickness of coats, gun set up, paint system, etc. One thing that also helps is if you can get a tinted primer in general color of the base coat as it will hide easier and chips won’t be as noticeable. This is not always the case but I have found some of the top shelf stuff like Sikkens auto base hides with less paint, so it’s kinda a loaded question. If in doubt get a little extra paint. You don’t want to run out when shooting the car and it works great for touch ups and minor blending repairs in the future if it’s needed.

[Fixit]

An item to consider is the final wet-sand between color & clear. You must have enough color on the car (field or stripes) to sand out any boogers in the paint, and to be able to knock down the tape edges (masking) for a smooth/no transition between field color & stripes before clear.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Usually 3 coats of base for stripe and main body depending on the paint line, undercoat and color. 1 quart for stripes, 1 gallon for main color.

Clear goes directly over base with NO sanding. If you sand base to take out flaws you have to lay another coat of base down otherwise the sanding scratches will show through the clear.

Jeff

[j.miller]

nothing to add but to second....do not sand basecoat before clear. Like Kleiner said you will have to give another coat of paint if you sand it. IF you do need to sand out some poop use 800gr...da bat

[Duke]

Usually 3 coats of base for stripe and main body depending on the paint line, undercoat and color. 1 quart for stripes, 1 gallon for main color.

Clear goes directly over base with NO sanding. If you sand base to take out flaws you have to lay another coat of base down otherwise the sanding scratches will show through the clear.

Jeff

This.

[Fixit]

I stand corrected... brain was in "single-stage" paint mode.

[JRL16]

Mine has 3 coats of color and 5 coats of clear.