Best type of paint for respray

[RednWhite]

Hi,

I'm talking to a panel beater about getting my Westy resprayed. Its got reasonably solid mostly original paint which is sun burnt down to primer on the roof and a few other areas. The plan is to sand the existing paint and use it as a base, apart from the front panel which was badly painted previously and will be stripped to bare metal. He wants to use a base and clearcoat (the type where the colour coat is dull and the shine is provided by the clearcoat). He says that this is as good as any other finish and won't have to be baked.

I'm wondering if he's picked the base/clear paint to suit himself or if this is indeed as good as any other paint type. I'm concerned about its resistance to stone chips, scratches etc.

Any advice or opinions?

 

[Doris]

1st - I'm no paint expert but if its a solid colour,I'd personally go for solid paint.A metallic needs the clear coat to give it a shine but solid paint such as red ,white etc can just be polished up to a shine (providing the prep & paintwork is up to a high standard),also if you get a stone chip,I'd imagine its easier to blend new paint in to existing paint rather to a lacquer.

Like I say, I'm no expert but it seems pretty pointless painting clear over a straight colour to me,when you can get a mirror finish on a good paint job anyway.by the same token,Its not black or white...some people do decide on clear coat for depth of shine.personally - when my bus is painted in a few weeks time....I won't be paying for clear coat over my Lotus white,I'm going to spend on getting good prep/colour sanding & polishing.I'm happy to be corrected though if anyone else comes along with valid advice other wise. I think 'professor wheeto' on here does paint work so he may be along soon with some advice.........

 

[RednWhite]

Thanks. I'm know nothing about paint myself but the guy said that with this particular paint type the base coat is matt and the clear coat gives it the shine and depth. I'm worried that its not the right type for the kind of life a Westy might lead...

 

[steve92]

Think it may depend on colour. the guy that painted my bus sometimes uses base coat and laquer. he used solid paint on mine, but I think the bus he did before mine (neptune blue) he did in base coat and laquer as he couldn't get it in solid colour. He's been painting all his life, and he's now retired so he's been doing it a long time, and he uses it regulary.

 

[RednWhite]

Thanks - that makes sense as I did tell him that I'd got an aerosol mixed locally by a guy who's normally accurate but couldn't get this particular colour (chianti red) right at all - he kept on making something close but with a purple tinge.

Its good to know that its a proper choice and not an easy way out for the painter.

 

[Mr Brightside]

Thanks - that makes sense as I did tell him that I'd got an aerosol mixed locally by a guy who's normally accurate but couldn't get this particular colour (chianti red) right at all - he kept on making something close but with a purple tinge.

Its good to know that its a proper choice and not an easy way out for the painter.

I just had mine painted in Chianti 2K, but it was a solid colour rather than base & lawyer, very happy with the result & not a hint of purple, if you cannot get the shade you need, take the fuel filler flap & let the paint supplier match up to the shade on the inside 

Cheers

G

 

[biggles]

hi there sounds interesting i am a panel beater and a painter by trade, most of the new cars are base and clear even with the solid colours, my opinion is it's a lot of messing about, i love my high solid it's easier to paint a lot less work and for sure VW never used that system till a lot later. i just painted a bini in white base and clear you get any s**t under the laquer you are going to see it and no amount of polishing is going to remove it, not a problem with black but light colours look out. Stick with the high solid, if he's a good painter it shouldn't make a difference. Check out my thread "grizzly" you might find it interesting. Have fun!

cheers biggles 8)