Single stage paint or base/clear?

[V6POWER]

What are advantages/disadvantages of each when painting black paint?

 

[jdpolzin]

Use base clear. Single Stage will not shine as deep as base clear. One advantage is the strength of single stage. On one of my older cars I painted, I used single stage as a base then cleared over it. Is was a super strong paint job and shined nicely. Base/clear is the way to go if you want it purdy!

 

[TURBOV8R]

some single stages give you that "fall into it" look but prone to a plastic,thick look to it.Also can only buff/wax it so many times before you literally rub through the edges as mine is starting to do now.Stick with base/clear.Spies Hecker or house of color has a drop dead blackest black base out there.
Plus with a few of the clears 2 good coats will give you outstanding coverage,desirable texture and protection far better than single stages.And has enuff material to color sand and still have plenty of material left on the car for years to come.

 

[V6POWER]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[twodafloor]

painters love base clear because it is more forgiving however on a solid color I think single stages look better because you are not looking down thru the clear. the clears would tend to yellow in years past but are much much better now. on black I think the heat under the clear should be considered as well. as far as buffing thru the edges goes I always throw a strip of masking tape down on high points and edges. then when you are almost done you remove it and use light pressure on edges. whatever you decide to do you car is gonna look better than it does now! good luck

 

[V6POWER]

twodafloor--Good points re: single stage. I have an original paint, 56,xxx mile car. The paint looks real good but is getting thin in some spots from polishing. I know a fresh paint job would look better so I am just planning ahead for when I get it painted.

 

[boostingbuick]

What's wrong with single stage? You can wet sand single and not go through the clear coat. My car gets lost of attention and I think it looks great!! I just hate Black. Sorry but it drive me nuts. Will never own another black car again. My car looks like a mirror. See.

 

[V6POWER]

boostingbuick--Your paint looks great...like a mirror, as you stated. :biggrin:

 

[steve hughes]

I used single stage cheap acrylic enamal . No plastic look and shines like a mirror for a twelve year old paint job i did in my garage. Go to the photobucket link in my signature.

 

[V6POWER]

Steve--A very clean/neat GN. Paint looks great.

 

[BEATAV8]

For a solid color like black or white, single stage can be a good choice. I'm working on a black 79 trans am right now and my body man and I discussed this recently. He recommended laying down the black base, followed by a mix of black and clear, then a final coat of clear. The last coat of clear then gets sanded off during wet sanding. This makes the paint look super deep and not "plastic coated". This is probably the way I'm going to go with the T/A.

Another good thing about single stage is that touch up work is much easier should something get scratched or chipped later on down the road.

 

[benoitthegr8]

Wish I had the problem of my original paint looking as good as yours does...

 

[V6POWER]

I had the advantage of owning my car since 1989 and being able to care of the paint. Only driving it about 2,500 miles a year and keeping it garaged has helped a lot, too.