1badFB

iTrader: (1)

Ok, so I dunno how many of you caught it, but I just got a new project to work on. Its a long way from being "mint" but I know I can get it to look prety good with a little work, but I am in need of some help.
The first order of business is the paint. I still havent gotten around to checking if rondex can match the custom color that is on it, but I figure I should look into my theory a bit more before I spend any time on the paint.

The lady who owned the car before me bought it in red, but decided that she wanted a specific purple color for it. She took it in to get it painted, and got it back with a poorly done job, in a completely different shade than what she had asked for. She was really upset about it, and I think it caused her to lose interest in the car. She never even bothered to find out what the color was, so I have no idea what it is or if its possible for a paint scanner to pick out the right color.

However, If I can get the paint, I really think that whoever painted the car just totally skimped out and didnt clearcoat the car, which would have set off the purple. The reason I think this is because I was washing it for the first time, and as soon as the water hit, the flake in the paint glimmered, and the car totally looked 100 times better. It was like a wonderfull surprise, but as soon it dried it was back to the ugly light purple it was before.

Now Ive taken some pictures to get some opinions, but I think all this paint needs is a little but of touchup and a nice clearcoat layed on and it would look sweet.
Looking at the car wet and dry what do u guys think, am I right????



Sorry my camera sucks, I wish you could see it detailed enough to catch the flake in the second picture. Its actually prety nice!
Give me some good news!

PT Ray

Just what I recently learned about different paint jobs so take it for novelty purposes. If it is a single stage metallic, there is a thin layer that can be buffed. Basically it is a clear cloat with color/metallics added. When laid the metallics settle leaving a thin layer of clear on top, this is what gives the gloss. This can be buffed to a minimal degree but not to the extend that a true base/clear coat offers. Once you cut through the gloss layer, you smear the metallics and will never look right. This is more than likely what you are dealing with. Try buffing a small remote area with different compounds to see if you can improve matters or better yet take it to a body shop and they should be more than happy to give you a couple minutes of free advice.

1badFB

iTrader: (1)

Well thats why Im asking, I have no idea about the paint at all but it really looks like its supposed to be 2-stage paint to me, just without any clear.
For a semi-recent paintjob I really dont think it should be that dull looking, and I guess ill just have to spray a rocker panel and see what happens, but Im willing to bet that the painter was just a cheap bastard.
He didnt even bother to take the side moulding off, and wasnt the best with his masking (although at least theres no overspray).
The more I look at / think about it the more I think a little clear might just do the trick!

I think that a clearcoat on top would give it the wet look?

PT Ray

I think you summed it up, a cheap job which means cheap paint, that it is why it looks the way it does. Cheaper single stage paints will only hold a gloss for a minimal amount of time before looking like a base before clear. To add a coat of clear would be as much work as repainting the car with another single stage paint. The same amount of prep work would be involved such as sanding and masking, just can't shoot clear over unprepped unknown substrate. I still think the least path of least resistance is having it polished or buffed to some degree.

If you want something from people more qualified, try posting at www.autobody101.com