Base Coat Clear Coat Questions

[chevyaddict]

I'm getting ready to paint my 81 with a metallic base coat/clear coat system. High quality paint. I had heard that it would screw up the metal flake if it was color sanded before the application of the clear... is this true? Can anyone enlighten me?

 

[BarryK]

dawn, that is correct.
When using metallic paint do not wetsand the paint before applying the clear coat. The metallic raises to the top of the paint after it's sprayed so if you wetsand it it will mess it up.
You can wetsand after spraying your clear,

On my car (Milano Maroon metallic) my painter sprayed 2 coats of color, wetsanded, sprayed 2 more coats of color WITHOUT wetsanding, than sparyed 4 coats of clear and wetsanded the clear before buffing it all out.

 

[garycr14]

Just want to put my $.02 in. Since it sounds like you plan to do this yourself, I would apply 2 heavy coat of clear, then wetsand, apply 2 more coats, wetsand again, and decide if you need another coat of clear, if it looks good to go, I would then apply a very thin fill/top coat with just enough material to make sure everything is nice and even. By heavy coats of clear, I mean just enough material so the the clear doesn't start to sag, if it sags you will create a lot more work for yourself. Don't be afraid to ask the people that you buy the paint from for advise, they usually are more than happy to give it. I would also buy locally, rather than a discount internet site, as you can go in and ask for advice.

When I painted mine, I took it down afte the first couple of shots of clear were on it for an opinion, and not only the guys from the paint shop were willing to help, the painters in the store buying there material came out and gave there opinions as well. Very helpful, it was great.

Quite a different experience than dealing with auto mechanics who tend to give the advise of "take it in to my shop, and I will be glad to take care of it for you" Cha Ching!