how long? Paint to clear

Edited: 5/3/2007 7:55:53 PM by LO-N-PO

Is there a certain amount of time that the clear coat must be sprayed after the base coat is sprayed? One of my friends is spraying his base coat now and plans to let it sit a few days to add some air brushed graphics on when he gets time.

Edited: 5/3/2007 7:57:43 PM by AiredOut

For most paint lines its 24 hours to spray without resanding. If he wants to add graphics he will need to sand it and hit it with some more base before he lays down the graphics, then clear.

Dwight is right most base coats allow 24hrs but I would go ahead and spray some intercoat clear on it then when he gets ready for graphics, scuff and spray the graphics then reclear

Originally posted by Nsane



Dwight is right most base coats allow 24hrs but I would go ahead and spray some intercoat clear on it then when he gets ready for graphics, scuff and spray the graphics then reclear

This really comes into play if hes using a metallic or pearl base. Tape can lift the metallics or pearls off the surface when pulled off.

I don't claim to be a pro painter so I've done some stuff outside the 'rules'. My Mazdarossa sat for 3 months while I sprayed the graphics. (working weekends) Then someone cleared it for me and I had no problems. But knowing what I know now, I'd say just tack it down and shoot it with something like DBC 500 (an innercoat clear) to re-activate the base and then you've opened up that 'window' of time again for clearing. But I've got no formal training so what do I know? Just years of playing with paint.

The tech sheet will tell you how many hours you can wait to clear and yes, that's usually 24 hours. I do know you should NEVER let a painter tell you they need to scuff the base which has graphics before they clear. A lot of guys don't seem to know any better. I've seen sand scratches over my art because of some nut was told in shop class to always wet sand paint before they clear.

Edited: 5/23/2007 8:36:51 PM by WeightLimit

^^^I use the same method, never had any problems even 7 years down the road.

Forgot to mention that you usually have 24 hours at 70 degrees. Changes with the temp. You can spray DBC 500 over your base when its still in the 24hr window to open it back up.

i actually blended a panel in and did some graphics and the paint peeled up some from the tape... safer and best way to go is to just clear it then scuff it and throw some graphics on it... if he messes up on the airbrushing he can just wipe it off with some 900 and itll come right off and plus if you clear over cured clear it looks hell of alot more glassy and you can see the true colors of the paint better... just my two cents

as long as your base is not catylized you have plenty of time... more than 24 hours

Ive had to strip two cars that the clear was flying off of the base. other shops in town painted the cars. you could take a blower and blow it off in sheets. the local dupont rep and a friend that has been professionaly painting for over 30 years both thought it was from the base sitting too long before it was cleared. The shops might have put hardner in the base, that i dont know but i know it was a pain to strip them.

That could be the problem. Alo but some guys think they need to 'color sand' a vehicle with 1500 or higher grit sandpaper which is like spraying clear on glass