When painting a vehicle, do you mix the hardener with the clear or the color paint?

I think it is both the color and clear coat. Call the auto paint store and ask.When painting a vehicle, do you mix the hardener with the clear or the color paint?
Hi,





Lets go from the assumption that you're not going to use waterborn paint.


If you were sold clearcoat, then your paint is basecoat. Which means a double coat paint (paint plus clearcoat).


Not long ago, usually only metallic paints would use clearcoat. But nowadays many solid colours use it, namely reds and blacks. And waterborn ones are always basecoat (as far as I'm aware).


It may also happen that you were sold clearcoat to mix with the paint ( which I doubt).


Do a test : apply a bit of colour with just thinner. If that colour is basecoat, it will turn matt after about 15 minutes (after flash off).


Now, this depends upon the maker of the paint, but usually it's like this :


Thinn the necessary paint according to instructions.


Apply a thin layer of paint (carefull not to run) keeping the spraygun at a straight angle.


Wait for flash off (solvents evaporation, usually 10 to 15 minutes).


Apply a second coat.


Usually that's all for the paint.


Then wait about 15 to 20 minutes.


Meanwhile add the hardener to the clearcoat and add thinner (or not) according to instructions . Don't add the hardener before starting to paint or it will be already polymerizing.


Mix the hardener only with the clearcoat that you're going to use.


Apply the clearcoat according to instructions. Usually a thin first coat and a wet one (carefull not to run) with about 10 to 15 minutes in between.


Note that a metalic paint should not be stored thinned since the thinner will break the mica and alluminum.


And that's about it.


Ah ! the number of coats and the colour of the primer may influence the colour.


Carefull where you may apply the tape since you may get a 芦bump禄 after you remove it. And the fadding technique is made by mixing a proper thinner to already thinned paint and sprayed from exterior to interior.


If you have any more doubts, e-mail me.


I sell auto-refinish paints.





Take care,





Jos茅


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