I have been sanding on my coupe car for weeks now...I will have it in primer tomorrow graemlins/thumbsup.gif I decided to keep the car it's original color, Garnet red. I was thinking that a hint of red pearl might be cool, but many club members have told me that it's difficult to paint with and some say to add it to the base coat while others say add it to the clear coat. I'm a bit confused. Can anyone shed some light on this? Also, how do you know how much to add?

Dano graemlins/beers.gif

I've used House of Color pearls that you add to the clear. Never had a problem, just sprayed it on the same as you would normally without the pearl. It's nowhere as difficult as spaying candy colors. Just make sure and add the same amount each time you mix it up and stir it real good. The pearl would normally be used in the first coat of clear.

[ 03-20-2004, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: 69lemans ]

Sounds great! I have been warned by a few friends that it can be difficult to get the results you want because shooting clear can be difficult in itself... Also, the guy at the paint shop said that if you put it in the base coat instead of the clear, then it would not work nearly as well.
Maybe I'll just paint the car and my old flat hood then when I go to shoot the clear, I'll make a small test run with pearl on the flat hood to see if it's something I would like! Thanks for the advice 69lemans! graemlins/beers.gif

Dano

glad to hear its coming along dan! though i'm no painter, i helped the guy who painted my first 68 from start to finish, and he used a pearl in it. it was white with black Z stripes, and since i weanted a little something different, we went with a small amount of platinum pearl and blue pearl, and added it to the white only, then shot the black stripes over that w/o pearl. its sounds funky but was very cool. it was just a subtle pearl effect, it really brought out the white in the sun.
i don't think it was any tougher to paint, at least it wasn't for him. the only thing he told me was, it can be very dificult to match if you ever need to repair a panel or something. also, if you do go with pearl, i would go with it in moderation, too much can really look tacky, imo. also, with red/red pearl, it sometimes looks pink. i'd consider maybe a silver pearl or something maybe, and not much of it.
good luck dan graemlins/thumbsup.gif
(ps. i responded to your email, did you happen to get it? i never know with my stupid email account)

Hey Sean! I DID get your mail. Thanks. Also, I need to figure out exactly which pearl to go with and if I even want to add it. I'm sure I'll be fixing some paint scratches or something sooner or later, and it sure would be cool to not have to try and match pearl in it... When can you make it up this way? Maybe I'll have to come down there to your place after paint prison. I sure have missed drivin' her :( It'll all be worth it though ;)

Dan graemlins/beers.gif

Why dont you put it on top of your color, as in whats called a 'tri-coat'. Its extremly easy, and doesnt cost that much more. And if you want to get really flashy, try some of the new pearl(I cant spell it)that is being offered. Instead of losing the pearl esence effect on the side tone, this stuff stays the same and shows up. graemlins/waving.gif

good to hear it works some of the time graemlins/clonk.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif
i'll bet your missing her, especially with the nice weather were getting. mines semi laid up right now too, but she'll be ready shortly.
i keep telling myself one of these weekends i'll get out and have a look at the 'ol bomber while your working on it. i havn't even seen my cousins Z in months. about this time of year i like to take him out in the rs to give him a little "motivation" on his car ;)
talk to you later,
Sean

Here is a different approach you may want to consider. There are a lot of really cool colors on new cars, you can likely find something that is basically the same color as the original color of your car. But, with pearl and mica the color will be more glamourous with some flop in the sun. The upside to this method is you will have a formula that can be duplicated for future color match in the event something happens. It can be a real nightmare trying to duplicate a custom color or adding pearl or tint to the clear. Just my 2 cents.

Jeff

I had my vehicle painted with a pearl, but we mixed it in with the base coat. I experimented with different colors. I wanted a nice black with some kind of pearl. I mixed different percentages of pearl in with the base coat and ended up with a 10 % solution. I used what was called red, green pearl (which to me was really green). The car is all shiny black in the shade and a dark forest green in the sun. Have had losts of compliments at car shows and several trophies.
(My wife picked the color, I was going with a blue pearl with the black but I lost.

Well, I'm proud to say that I'm just going to keep it stock, but add a clear coat. I got the car into primer last weekend, and just started sanding it out today...I should have it in paint sometime next month. Maybe if I get another project, or paint this one again, then I'll go radical with a blower and flames, but for now, it's just GM #52 Garnet red...

Dan

Dan,
I think your doing the right thing going with just red.

Thanks...Sometimes when we're not sure what to do, we make a bad decision. I didn't want the car to be a mistake, I'm throwing waaaaay too much into it to have it come out so-so. I guess I couldn't stand the thought of getting a ding and not being able to match the color properly etc.
Oh well, I KNOW I like plain 'ol Garnet red on it ;)

Dano graemlins/beers.gif

Dan, I dont see a problem matching a custom pearl job as long as you KNOW what you did to achieve that effect.

A good painter that has the paint formula can match it. It might take some time to do some pratice spray outs but you'll get a repair that matches graemlins/thumbsup.gif ...Eric