using 2k base coat

[jamesmacc]

hey guys, been using 2k solid for a few years 2-1 with fast hardener, ordered some paint to do my next project and as its metalic i was told you cant get 2k solid it needs to be 2k base with clear over the top. i know i need to mix it 50/50 with basecoat thinners and apply 2k laquer over the top. just wondering if anyone has any tips as it seems a much thinner mix than the 2-1 solid mix
cheers
james

 

[langy]

Just spray light coats if your unsure then wait for it to flash off and then go on with your clear, about 15-20 mins depending on temp

 

[Daz2012]

What grade have you flatted your primer with ? Needs to be 600's for basecoat otherwise your flatting marks may show thru.
something to bear in mind if you haven't used basecoat before

 

[jamesmacc]

What grade have you flatted your primer with ? Needs to be 600's for basecoat otherwise your flatting marks may show thru.
something to bear in mind if you haven't used basecoat before[/QU

ok i will use 600, thanks for telling me that as i have used more course ones on 2k solid as it covers so well
does it need to be wet or dry, or either?

 

[steveo3002]

myself i would use 800 wet n dry or 400 dry

maybe a smidge finer with some colours

 

[langy]

What grade have you flatted your primer with ? Needs to be 600's for basecoat otherwise your flatting marks may show thru.
something to bear in mind if you haven't used basecoat before[/QU

ok i will use 600, thanks for telling me that as i have used more course ones on 2k solid as it covers so well
does it need to be wet or dry, or either?

Primer should be flatted dry although some flat it wet, remember primer is porous
Flat with 600 for straight paint or 800 for base & clear otherwise you will see scratches.

 

[norsa]

Spraying basecoat it really down to technique. Get your overlaps right and keep the strokes even. Don't look for a finish as you would with your direct gloss just a good even coating. I like to finish with a "drop coat" pre clear which brings out the depth of the met/mica but timing and technique is critical to get it right so only do it if confident. Finally, don't be scared of it, its just a coat of colour.
Nick

 

[Daz2012]

Primer should be flatted dry although some flat it wet, remember primer is porous
Flat with 600 for straight paint or 800 for base & clear otherwise you will see scratches.

600's wet is fine for basecoat (solvent),I've never gone finer than 600's and I've sprayed thousands of vehicles.
Although most primers are porous (epoxy isn't) in reality there's no problems flatting it wet so long as you dry it thoroughly.

don't expect your basecoat to cover straight away,it can take a number of coats depending on the colour and whose paint you're using,the cheaper brands tend to take longer to cover than the premium brands

 

[langy]

600's wet is fine for basecoat (solvent),I've never gone finer than 600's and I've sprayed thousands of vehicles.
Although most primers are porous (epoxy isn't) in reality there's no problems flatting it wet so long as you dry it thoroughly.

don't expect your basecoat to cover straight away,it can take a number of coats depending on the colour and whose paint you're using,the cheaper brands tend to take longer to cover than the premium brands

Sorry to disagree but I don't know anyone that uses 600 for metallics, you may get away with it painting dailys but for a high class or custom paint job it would be 800 for me.

 

[steveo3002]

i never got away with 600 either and ive painted 1000s of cars

some silvers or fussy pearls look scratchy with 800

 

[norsa]

Always used 800 pre colour but thats the way i was taught and i dont want to re-invent the the wheel. Never tried 600 so i cant comment but if it works, it works.
Nick

 

[the snooper]

800 for me aswell

 

[Daz2012]

You do surprise me,I've never picked up a sheet of 800's in my life and I do loads of silvers,in fact I've got a silver Golf and a light grey Nissan in the shop as we speak.

On a bodyshop forum I go on some of the guys there use 400's for metallic b/c !!! although most use 600's .

I don't know anyone who goes finer than 600.....well I do now,you guys lol

 

[norsa]

Not sure anyone is challenging you, as I said if it works it works and each to their own. Can you clarify though you are talking wet, not open coat dry?
Nick.

 

[Daz2012]

yes wet

 

[johniban]

600?? i used 1000 wet and dry to flat the 2k primer, seems to do the job well

 

[norsa]

Ouchy! Unnecessary hard work mate.

 

[Daz2012]

1000 is just ridiculous.
What are we trying to achieve when flatting primer ?
2 things,getting the repair as level as possible and providing a key for the topcoat.
By using a coarse grade,such as 400,on a block obviously,you will cut into the primer more and get a more uniform level finish.But 400 is too coarse for a metallic b/c to go over the top so I move onto a quick going over with 600's.
With 1000 grit you're only skimming the surface of the primer,neither cutting it back enough to level it properly nor providing a good enough key.....in my opinion

 

[langy]

I guess it's down to what sort of finish is needed, the customers I deal with want perfection but ordinary punters just want their car back so not so fussy.
The guy that taught me to use 800 on metallics knows his stuff but 1000 grit is way too fine.

 

[dunsdale]

thought i would chime in here.

We use a dry system for flatting primer

320 abranet strips for blocking primer repairs, followed by a guide coat and either 400 or 500 on the D.A., we do this daily on around 50 cars a month and dont have any problems. Reason i prefer 400 disc to 500 is it is much quicker and the lifespan of the disc is much longer. I have never had a problem with 400 disc usage.

Not used a wet system for about 5 years now, when i used wet we would flat with 600 or 800.

I used six hundered for many years and as long as you had a softener in the water bucket, i never had a problem, though i did move up to 800 in later years.

Some of the cheaper paints on the very odd occasion would show a track mark from the block. But this was usually down to over zealous blocking.



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