Advice on car paint/body re paint types/blending
Discussion
I'd appreciate input for better understanding and maybe a bit advice.
Ok, so I have a 1994 Merc SL, in a non metallic red, that I'm working on.
The paint looked awful, the car had been sat outside unused for years. However I've just discovered it's been (previously) painted in 2k paint so I have been able to cut it back by wet sanding and machining it back to a fantastic shine. Also it's not looking terrifically faded.
The 2k full respray could easily have been done 20 years ago. It appears the car was originally basecoat/clear coat.
New wings need fitted/painted. and I plan on getting various things painted off the car (including the wings- I realise it might be challenging to get a good match). Car is presently stripped a fair bit as I'm doing an underbody restoration. Finding the paint is coming back is a bonus as it's saving me making a body shop an essential first stop.
A few key questions
1. Is cellulose the most common paint used these days?
2. I gather you can still get 2k paint (for commercials or farm vehicle painting) even although a general bodyshop isn't supposed to use it. Is it generally a no no now in the UK?
3. Is there any advantage to using 2k or has it become quite normal to match a basecoat/clear coat to an older 2k paint?
4. Re 3, how can a 2k panel and a clear coat panel be blended?
Bottom line is that I'd be very pleased if the new wings could be matched well to the current paint.
Some advice/understanding of this appreciated.
Not the greatest picture but the paint colour has come back nicely as per underneath the flattened door, an area never exposed to sunlight.
Ok, so I have a 1994 Merc SL, in a non metallic red, that I'm working on.
The paint looked awful, the car had been sat outside unused for years. However I've just discovered it's been (previously) painted in 2k paint so I have been able to cut it back by wet sanding and machining it back to a fantastic shine. Also it's not looking terrifically faded.
The 2k full respray could easily have been done 20 years ago. It appears the car was originally basecoat/clear coat.
New wings need fitted/painted. and I plan on getting various things painted off the car (including the wings- I realise it might be challenging to get a good match). Car is presently stripped a fair bit as I'm doing an underbody restoration. Finding the paint is coming back is a bonus as it's saving me making a body shop an essential first stop.
A few key questions
1. Is cellulose the most common paint used these days?
2. I gather you can still get 2k paint (for commercials or farm vehicle painting) even although a general bodyshop isn't supposed to use it. Is it generally a no no now in the UK?
3. Is there any advantage to using 2k or has it become quite normal to match a basecoat/clear coat to an older 2k paint?
4. Re 3, how can a 2k panel and a clear coat panel be blended?
Bottom line is that I'd be very pleased if the new wings could be matched well to the current paint.
Some advice/understanding of this appreciated.
Not the greatest picture but the paint colour has come back nicely as per underneath the flattened door, an area never exposed to sunlight.
Edited by scotshaggis on Tuesday 16th April 18:55
Edited by scotshaggis on Tuesday 16th April 18:58
I'm aware clearcoat is still 2k but the paint on the car isn't clear coated over. So I believe it's the type no longer used referred to as two pack or 2k?
It does sound like the single stage two pack isn't used anymore because it is hazardous and requires air fed respirators etc. I've read you can buy it but it isn't or shouldn't be, for car use.
So looking to understand whats normally done if needing to match/blend this older type paint system.
Blending on to a door from a wing seems like that'd be all about working with existing clear coat but my panels aren't clear coated over.
It does sound like the single stage two pack isn't used anymore because it is hazardous and requires air fed respirators etc. I've read you can buy it but it isn't or shouldn't be, for car use.
So looking to understand whats normally done if needing to match/blend this older type paint system.
Blending on to a door from a wing seems like that'd be all about working with existing clear coat but my panels aren't clear coated over.
Edited by scotshaggis on Wednesday 17th April 07:35
Thanks for the reply/replies and info
I was aware my paint is single stage 2K. Main question is needing new wings matched. The colour has come back exceptionally well. In the meantime I need other parts painted but would be happy to avoid getting the whole vehicle painted. It being a surprise the paint has come back to life really well- albeit with a lot of hard work (800/1200/1500/2000/2500 and many passes with a DA polisher!)
So can the existing panels clear coated over if for example the new panel (wings) are base and clear coat? I ask this regarding blending. I had paint made up recently in rattle cans and a tin for use in areas not on the main body and thought it was cellulose. I was maybe wrong. Whatever it is, it's got a strong, strong smell!
I was aware my paint is single stage 2K. Main question is needing new wings matched. The colour has come back exceptionally well. In the meantime I need other parts painted but would be happy to avoid getting the whole vehicle painted. It being a surprise the paint has come back to life really well- albeit with a lot of hard work (800/1200/1500/2000/2500 and many passes with a DA polisher!)
So can the existing panels clear coated over if for example the new panel (wings) are base and clear coat? I ask this regarding blending. I had paint made up recently in rattle cans and a tin for use in areas not on the main body and thought it was cellulose. I was maybe wrong. Whatever it is, it's got a strong, strong smell!
Yes, I realise that may have to happen but in the meantime would like to try and match/blend
Invested a fair bit already in the vehicle doing an underbody (and suspension) restoration and I haven’t even driven it! Got it running fine and really had to tackle brake and fuel pipes due to them being corroded.
It looks A1/concours underneath now but it’d be good for the next step to be getting it looking presentable without a full paint on the immediate agenda.
Invested a fair bit already in the vehicle doing an underbody (and suspension) restoration and I haven’t even driven it! Got it running fine and really had to tackle brake and fuel pipes due to them being corroded.
It looks A1/concours underneath now but it’d be good for the next step to be getting it looking presentable without a full paint on the immediate agenda.
Yes, I realise that may have to happen but in the meantime would like to try and match/blend
Invested a fair bit already in the vehicle doing an underbody (and suspension) restoration and I haven’t even driven it! Got it running fine and really had to tackle brake and fuel pipes due to them being corroded.
It looks A1/concours underneath now but it’d be good for the next step to be getting it looking presentable without a full paint on the immediate agenda.
Invested a fair bit already in the vehicle doing an underbody (and suspension) restoration and I haven’t even driven it! Got it running fine and really had to tackle brake and fuel pipes due to them being corroded.
It looks A1/concours underneath now but it’d be good for the next step to be getting it looking presentable without a full paint on the immediate agenda.
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