Since the 1980s the automotive manufacturers have been painting cars with two stage, base coat/clear coat systems. That may not seem all that long ago to some of us older guys, but these cars are now 30 years old and entering prime project car territory. Because drivetrain technology had hit its stride by then, cars like 5.0 Mustangs are still running and driving just fine. But many cars from the 80s and 90s have clear coat paint that is just peeling and flaking off in chunks. Some cars, like the Plymouth Neon, seemed to have paint and clear coat failing before they were even off lease.
Tag: Paint
Mixing Urethane Paint- Color and Clear Coat
Our tech hotline answers lots of calls every day about everything we sell, and how best to use it. A lot of questions are about welding and technique, and a lot of questions concern paint and applying it. We are happy to answer those, and any other automotive related topics. If we don’t have an expert on the line immediately, we’ll be sure to find out the answer from one and get back to you.
Recently a customer called with a question about mixing single stage urethane paints with a urethane clear. Single stage paint already has plenty of gloss and is UV stabilized to be used as a top coat by itself. So, you may ask why mix a single stage color coat with a clear top coat? When people do this it is typically because they have been painting since the lacquer days, or the person who taught them was from that era.
How to get Perfect Body Panels with Block Sanding
Ever wonder what it is that separates the mirror smooth bodies of show cars from the body filler fender bender repair you did in your driveway? Often times it all comes down to the important step between the first coat of primer and the first coat of paint, called blocking. Without proper blocking, no matter how good the painter is you are never going to get a perfect show car finish on your project.
Candy Coat Paint FAQ
What exactly is candy paint? Candy paint, or sometimes Kandy paint, is a clear paint with translucent pigments in it. It is typically applied over a metallic base coat and allows the metal flakes to be seen through the tinted candy color layer. One of the trickiest things about candy […]
Powder Coating FAQ
Powder coating is a dry painting process that uses a fine powder with the consistency of powdered sugar, and an electrical charge to coat an object. Then the piece is baked in an oven at 400+ degrees Fahrenheit to make the powder melt and flow together. Once it is cooled and cured the powder coat has formed a solid plastic coating over the entire surface that is much more durable than regular paint.
History Timeline and Types of Automotive Paint
What is the first thing you notice when you see an old car or truck for the first time? If you are like most folks, the answer would likely be the paint. Not just the color but the overall condition of the paint finish. Does it have a beautiful, high-gloss […]
Gotta Love a 6 Pack in the Summer- Sandpaper ins and outs
IF you’re just doing a small project, or you’ve run out of your full box or roll of sandpaper, or it’s just simply not in your budget to buy an entire sleeve or roll of sandpaper, these new 6 and 3 packs are the ticket!! You don’t have to buy the box of 100 and have it sit on the shelf until next season.
How to Apply Epoxy Primer to a Car – Eastwood
Epoxy primer serves a wide range of automotive needs, providing quality resistance to corrosion, fast build, exceptional color holdout and strong adhesion to bare metal substrates. This direct-to-metal primer is specifically ideal for use after sanding or media blasting projects due to its filling qualities. It’s also a good primer […]
2014 Street Rodder Road Tour Impala Reassembly
The body then went to primer and paint and was covered in a lovely shade of deep red. This thing is REALLY red, reminds me of the red found on a certain Italian super car manufacturer. With the body all painted and assembled the crew married the body and the roadster shop chassis together and continued reassembly. This is where the fun (and stressful!) part of the project begins. As each shiny part is bolted to the car the Impala takes shape and we can really see how great this thing is going to look rolling down the street.