Looking to paint my car this spring. I installed new rear qtrs. and did some other body work and I must say it's alot of work for sure. I have the car in primer and have been doing the guide coat thing and will continue to do so until the weather here gets warmer and before the bugs come out, anyhow I need some input on what to use. Some have told me to use base/clear and others have said to use single stage. I did spray single stage in the engine compartment and the door jams, which turned out pretty good, but I don't have really any painting experience when it comes to the flat surfaces of the sides of the car. I'm some what intimidated, worry about runs and basically screwing up months of work. I've talked to some shops around here about just painting the car, but they won't because they didn't do the body work and don't want to be known that they painted the car when an amature did the body work. I guess I can't blame them for that. Got a little of track here, so what's you opinions, base/clear or single stage? So who here has done their own body/paint and how did it turn out?and are satisfied? Thanks.....

ill be going base/clear in the spring. I was recommended to stay away from single stage because it is harder to fix if you get a run.

Single stage is fine if you are doing a solid (non metallic) color. Just dont do cheap synthetic enamel. All your hard work will fade away if you do. I am painting a 65 Coronet for a friend of mine and am using PPG single stage. The line is DCC. I used it on another project a few years back and it was easy to work with and buffed out beautifully. Good luck!

I've heard that base/clear is easier to fix than single, and costs more, but my opinion it doesn't seem to take scratches and chips as good as the single stage. I know base/clear is more costly, but if it's easier to fix than single stage that would be the way to go.

Base/Clear would be much easier and safer for a beginner.
Be sure to follow the Tech (P) Sheets for your products and the base will spray pretty easy once the gun is adjusted properly. If you get runs, bugs, dirt or bang into the car you can fix those areas and respray the base. Once you are satisfied with it you can spray your clear. There is a difference in how you spray metallic paints and solid colors so you need to read up on your particular paint choice.
Try browsing this link: http://autobody101.com/forums/index.php as there is lots of painting information there.

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I've talked to some shops around here about just painting the car, but they won't because they didn't do the body work

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I can understand a "SHOP" not wanting to take a chance, but there should be a painter or painter/bodyman(professional) that's looking for some side work and extra $$ - talk around with the local car clubs (all) surely someone will know a professional that can help you out.

It depends on the damage. I have done paint and body for 15 years. I have sprayed both base/clear and single stage. Each one has its place. I guess it just depends on what you wanna spend time and money wise. Going base/clear will have you going around the car twice as much when it comes time to paint. What color are you wanting?

The car will be painted a solid color, black the original color, that's what has me concerned. You all know how black can show everything. This car is going to be a driver/cruiser not for shows.

If you spend decent money on single stage you will be ok. And thats one of the easiest colors to repair. I'd rather paint a car black than white. I cant see white (spraying and buffing) but black shows all!

One guy I talked to said what color, I said black and he said OH, and the look on his face was priceless, he did say you know to have the car look good the panels need to be straight.Hope this reply goes through, my computer is having some issues

Thanks, for the link, I'll check it out.

if it's black, I'd recommend going with urethane single stage, it's very tough ,scratch and chip resistant versus base/clear. To me, spraying single stage is much easier and alot less time consuming, 1 hour in paint booth versus 3 hours, costs about half of base/clear and alot more durable. Look into Matrix paint line, it's best bang for the buck, been using it for long time,it's great stuff.

I checked out the link and some say that the ss has a deeper color than b/c. As I mentioned in my first post, as an amature painting a ss if I get any runs, will I be able to sand out after drying the re-paint? I do agree with you about the durability facture vs. b/c. I know on the last few newer vehicles I've owned it seemed it didn't take much to chip the paint,stones, ect. Back when I was alot younger I had a guy paint my car and I believe he used arylic enamal, and that paint held up real well over the years. I guess when the time comes and I screw up I can say I did that

Any runs will come out the same way as base/clear. A trick I have used is to scrape the high part off a run with a fresh razor blade, wet sand and buff.

it's pretty simple, use one of these files to cut down the run and follow by 1000 ,1200,1500 grit paper wrapped on flat mixing stick and then polish.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STECK-"TH...072110009r11462

I generally prefer Dupont Chroma Premier BC/CC over single stage anything,....esp black, prep, mat'l and blocking, lots of it are key to a nice paint job, I know you want to be on a budget, we all do, paint and supplies are $$$$$, driver or not, do it once, do it right, or you'll spend more correcting it, or living with it, the choices are yours,


This is a customers car done in Dupont Chroma Premier, wetsanded to 3000 grit, buffed, still needs to be polished, ...Black needs to be mirror straight, EVERYTHING/ANYTHING shows

Mike