Clear as a sealer?

O

Oramac

Hay all, What does everyone think about this one. Was at the paint store recently speaking to the owner. He sells paint to some high dollar restorer in Florida. He asked about my paint system, primers, clear etc. Told him about how great SPI is using it over his RM basecoat. Anyway, he told me that the fellow in Florida finishes out his last coat of urethane primer/epoxy with 320-400, Then he uses 2-3 coats of a hi-solids clear on the primer, sands with 600 wet up to a week later, then basecoats with his color and clearcoats as needed. He claims the basecoat lays out much smoother, without the graininess, etc. and gives more depth and uniform reflectivity.

I got to thinking about it and at times I have to re-finish a part (ot two) with base and clear, and had noticed how much better the base layed out, since it was sealed up so well with the clear under it. Almost always I 600 wet my last 1:1 epoxy, then seal with epoxy 1:1:1, then shoot base. It does seem at times to have a slight amount of graininess even when the epoxy sealer is sprayed glassy. I know alot of you do custom work, striping, airbrush work and either clear between layers or use a intercoat clear, and I'm sure you've noticed better layout of the bases. Cost wise, especially on the higher dollar jobs using let say Universal clear as the sealer as mentioned above really woundn't be alot more, if any, than using epoxy, since the Universal goes far per quart sprayed. SO, my question is what does everyone think about doing it that way? Pros/Cons?? Thanks, Craig
 
No need to do the clear,sand,base,clear deal. Just skip the sealer coat of epoxy and shoot base over the sanded epoxy you'll have the same results. But you'll have less durability/chip resistance without the sealer coat though.
 
Typical jobber....a good way to sell more clear!

Basing over sanded primer and sanded clear, you can't really tell much of a difference. However, you can tell the difference over a sealer. Never had a problem with base laying fine over sealer....nothing wrong with it.....but you can tell by the look of the base there is a difference, I wouldn't say it is grainy. Can't tell you why but it's there. What you gain with a sealer is the added adhesion, add in activating your base and you have a better adhesion rate throughout the entire process.

Some guys don't see the point in sealers...and I can see that point to an extent. But when I'm doing a $10k+ paint job...I want the best possible adhesion I can get. Why should I not use a sealer? Have yet to have anyone answer that question. Let me rephrase, have yet to have anyone answer that question that does quality restoration work.
 
I can understand the frustration, I've struggled sometimes getting the sealer on slick both epoxy sealer and urethane sealers and I know I'm not the only one, and if it doesn't go on smooth neither will your base and that will affect how the metalics look and it can also get the ball rolling for some urethane wave by the end of the clearing. But.... the durability is so much better I'll continue to seal untill a better method is found. I looked into other alternatives like using adhesion promoters but my 12 guage and scratch testing confirms adhesion is still best with epoxy as a sealer. One option for anyone that can't get the epoxy down slick is to shoot your sealer coat of epoxy, let it flash an hour then shoot two coats of activated intercoat clear and let her set overnight-then you can tune out any imperfections by wetsanding with 600 the next day and rock on with your basecoat.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Jeremy, yes I always have used a sealer coat 1:1:1 and usually no problem, but sometimes with those ba$tard silver/pearl messes they call colors it is almost impossible to get it to lay out as good as it should.Thats one of the problems with a clearcoat vs. a SS, the clear magnifies the surface below, and doesn't give a true visual effect of the color below, especially w/ 6 coats of clear (3+3). Usually not a problem on driver cars, but the restos I do, are judged nationally, so they can be pain in the a$$es sometimes! Bob, I may experiment with the intercoat in the future on some test panels to see if it works out better. By the way I thought the "real" paint pros hang out at HR!!! Ha-Ha!!! or is HO-HO? Thanks again Craig
 
rarely do i seal (but occasionally for even coverage in a tough color like yellow for example) for the simple fact that the more coats you spray the more chance you have for trash.
i don't run anyone in the ground for sealing or not sealing.
 
Bondoskimmer, Yes, I feel the same way about the trash, especially not having a dedicated booth. Every additional coat that may not really be needed is a liability, especially with the finish coats of base or clear. Craig
 
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