[hgufrin]

My newest project is on its way.

I want to prep for the darkest, deepest, black paint I can find.

1. Should I use single stage or bc/cc? I have never done single stage though.
2. What color should the high build primer and/or epoxy primer be?
3. Any tips for painting a black car? Will Tiger stripes or mottling be a problem.

I finished my Mustang in bc/cc metallic blue (midnight blue) with absolutely no complaints. Now that my confidence is up I’d like to shoot my Charger in black. My research has just began.

Thanks

[kenseth17]

I want to prep for the darkest, deepest, black paint I can find.

1. Should I use single stage or bc/cc? I have never done single stage though.
Many actually prefer using single stage for solid black and think even looks a bit better.Either would look nice, but also consider if the single stage develops scratches, it would be less noticeable the if a clear was used, cause a scratch in clear would appear whitish over the black color coat. Many here have claimed that southern polyurethanes makes the blackest black you will find.
2. What color should the high build primer and/or epoxy primer be?
I would think black, even though black normally covers well. When you are painting, you normally want to use undercoats closest to what color your spraying. Although it may be a bit hard to read and notice areas you missed applying paint, when your painting over the same color of primer.
3. Any tips for painting a black car? Will Tiger stripes or mottling be a problem.
I personally think at least as far as the actual painting part of it, black is one of the easier colors to shoot and read. Being its a solid color, mottling or tiger stripes shouldn't be a problem. Tips, do the absolute best job you can in bodywork and prep when painting black. Its a slow color. Allow plenty of flash time between coats with black, because if you bomb on coats or don't allow good flash times, it can be easy to trap solvents.

[58Apache]

I shot my first ever paint job using all Southern Polyurethane's (SPI) paints. I used their black epoxy, black 2k, black base, and Universal Clear.

Look at these pics. If it's not reflecting something like a mirror, it's like "who turned out the lights"

http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/d...t=DSC_0963.jpg

[hgufrin]

Very good tips. I watched an episode of Overhaulin' last night called Overlord. It was a 56 Ford I believe and they used single stage. I just want to make sure it looks as great as 58Apache's.

Kenseth12,
Do you believe that swirl marks would be less noticeable with single stage as opposed to bc/cc? If scratches show up in bc/cc better then maybe swirls would too?

I really appreciate your advice.

P.S. - point well taken on body prep before applying paint. I learned that on my other project.

[cyclopsblown34]

I'm sold on single stage for black and most solid colors. I am still working on a car that is black with loads of clear on it. It shows every little flaw, even swirl marks. The advantage of bc/cc with black is once it's perfect, it has unbelievable depth.

[hgufrin]

cyclopsblown34,

With bc/cc I applied 3 coats of base and 3 coats of clear. I then scuffed the clear and added 2 more coats of clear. I was a newbie and wanted to make sure i had enough clear to buff out...

can i do the same with single stage? add up to 5 coats so that i have plenty to buff and not burn through?

[cyclopsblown34]

I would say so. If you already have the car in bc/cc and it has no trash in it, I'd just cut and rub the clear. if it is an upcoming job, I'd opt for single stage.

[shopratwoody]

I think the old PPG Black Acrylic Enamel is the blackest of all. Single stage,
color sand and buff

[duallybuster]

for black you want to make sure your bodywork/metal is perfect. If it's not you will see it. As far as single stage or bc/cc goes I perfer bc/cc because it's more forgiving.

Good luck

[hgufrin]

I have just settled for single stage. I just went outside...looked at my 97 metallic green Honda... couldn't believe the amount scratches (I have never paid attention to) there were on it. Indeed, they were white too.

As long as I can put up to 5 coats of single stage black i'll be fine. I need PLENTY of material to sand/buff with.

[cyclopsblown34]

Originally Posted by hgufrin

I have just settled for single stage. I just went outside...looked at my 97 metallic green Honda... couldn't believe the amount scratches (I have never paid attention to) there were on it. Indeed, they were white too.

As long as I can put up to 5 coats of single stage black i'll be fine. I need PLENTY of material to sand/buff with.

Just don't use Autozone DupliColor Paint Shop crap. LOL

[hgufrin]

Too funny.... For my other project I used the local PPG jobber's Shopline brand. Very inexpensive and great results.

[shopratwoody]

I think 5 coats is way too much. Put a medium first coat and two wet coats.
Let it flash inbetween per instructions. It's alway worked for me like that.

[hgufrin]

shopratwoody,

My intention was to shoot 3, sand it out, and do 2 more... I guess that is a waste of time?

I graduated from Cal State Fullerton on there in Orange, CA.

[cyclopsblown34]

I have sworn against Nason products for a long time and just found out DuPont doesn't offer a single stage urethane in anything but Nason. Another option might be to try the Southern Polyurethane that BarryK reps. It's a dang good product at a discount price.