Base coat or Single Stage?

[Imagineer]

Question for folks knowledgeable on paint… I’m going to take advantage of a paint booth at work and make a stab at painting a pair or replacement front fenders (which are still e-coated black) as well as a set of used full doors (one dark blue, one silver). I should add that whereas I've painted two cars before, my bodywork and paint skills are limited.

For paint, I have the option of buying basecoat or single stage paint for my ’97 TJ (in Citron Pearl).

I’m not all that concerned with a show quality finish, just want the 20 year old Jeep to be all one color. If I go lazy and opt for the single stage paint, is there still an opportunity to buff out the single stage to bring up the shine?

 

[Chris]

@Stinger

 

[Stinger]

@Stinger

I am certainly no expert on painting. I have done a couple of pick ups in single stage and they turned out great; one was even black! The advantage was the quick drying let fewer bugs and dust gets into the wet paint. I didn't have to buff mine out but I would google what ever post you use and ask.

I now only do 2stage clear-base. Why? I think it looks better. I shows depth of color. I usually put 3 or 4 coats of color and at least that many of clear. A finally wet sand 1500/2000 grit and a couple of passes with low grit compound really make the color pop.
I would suggest that whatever paint you decide upon use a good quality primer. If you don't you risk having different shades appear in your final coat.

I did a while primer on a mostly white YJ and then shot two light coats of yellow. I got a highlighter color that really stood out. The next year at EJS everyone had highlighter yellow!
Good luck and please post follow ups and pictures.

 

[Frank]

Follow Stinger's advise.. I always do Base coat/clear coat unless flat black . Good luck.

 

[Chris]

I am certainly no expert on painting.

Clearly I had that wrong in my head. For some reason I thought you were a really good painter.

Well, not to say you're bad, but you know what I mean!

 

[Imagineer]

I'm lazy and have not sprayed clear before so I'll probably just go with the single stage. Years ago, I painted a '87 F150 using SS and it turned out ok.

Honestly, the rest of the Jeep is not all that shiny, so if the SS doesn't lay down perfectly, it's no big deal. I'm only trying for the Jeep to be all one (approximate) color.

Since I'll be spraying, black, blue and silver parts, and the paint is a yellowish/green, any suggestions for what color primer to use?

 

[Stinger]

Clearly I had that wrong in my head. For some reason I thought you were a really good painter.

Well, not to say you're bad, but you know what I mean!

I have only done 6 vehicles so no expert just learned by experience.

 

[DanFerrell]

I painted my 84 CJ with single stage and it turned out pretty good. When I did my Savvy half doors I used a base and clear. Single stage was easier, but I wanted to try to spray the clear. My only advice since I'm by no means a painter, make sure you get the clear reduced correctly according to the Heat and humidity. If not, it clumps up and looks like hell. I thinned mine out and sprayed light coats. Turned out okay for a rookie painting in my homemade booth.


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