Q for the painters

G

gmannino

New member
I'm trying to match an 18 year old paint job to freshly sprayed bumpers and side skirts (white.) I've already laid down the final clear coat and it came out good but the difference in brightness between the old paint and new paint is huge.



I plan on wetsanding, polishing, and waxing the older paint to restore luster but I do not think it will make a huge difference enough to match the new paint. So I am left with two options. To repaint the new body panels over again with a better match paint or to paint the rest of the car to match the fresh panels.



Would I be able to spray base coat over clear coat, then clear it again? Or will I have to remove the clear coat and spray base, then clear again? Same question applies to the old paint, if the clear coat is in good condition and very smooth, can I just cover it with base, then clear?



Thanks for your time.
 
You'll never get the finishes to perfectly match. Old paint fades and oxidizes but it also clears gets cloudy to an extent which no matter how much paint matching you do just can't reliably be paint matched. Aside from trying to mix tiny amounts of white pigments and yellow dyes to the clear to replicate clouding which even then won't match the surface texture of the paint which has an effect of muting metallics and making high angle reflections hazy but low angle reflections sharp. Those effects can't be replicated by a paint shop, perhaps industrial testing and underwriting labs? But seriously just paint the rest of the panels, you'll be happier than pulling your hair out trying to match the original, unless of course this is a numbers matched vintage collectors museum piece.
 
In the end, I will most likely end up painting the whole car, I know I will. However, theoretically speaking, could you apply base over a perfectly smooth clear coat? (by smooth I mean enough to lay paint like 600 grit smooth)



I think yes because clear is simply base without pigment correct? But I have heard otherwise, I wanted to know what others in the industry or experience would think about this.
 
gmannino said:
because clear is simply base without pigment correct? .
Click to expand...



Not true. The base coat is flat, and has no shine, and no UV protection.

Clear is designed to cure differently, with the top 1/3 curing to provide the max protection.
 
Yes, you can base over clear sanded with 600 grit. For a better match, taking

a sample (fuel filler door) to automotive paint supply store and have it matched.

You'll likely pay a little extra but it can save you in the end (as you already know).

Some places will either adjust the color by spray outs or the sample will be

"scanned" in and the computer will choose the best formula. But do clean and polish

out the sample.
 
Flashtime, thanks for your reply. A computer generated sample should be closest match. I should have just gotten someone to mix me paint instead of buying standard paint code white.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top