I'm about to embark on my first ever all over re-spray and need some advice before buying my supplies. I am working on a limited budget and basically want the car to look as good as possible with what I can afford. My plan as of now is to buy an expensive high solids clear and try to save a little money with a less expensive base. I was under the impression that since I am painting the entire car, the cheaper base will not be a huge problem because of the fact I'm not trying to match anything else. Am I completely wrong? The clear I am wanting to use is Spies Hecker 8035 HS, about $500 with activator. Can anyone point me in the direction of a somewhat cheap, but good base? The color is Cirrus blue, so it's a metallic. Thanks in advance!
Any experienced painters on here? Looking for base/clear recommendations
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I just bought paint for my car today. It was about $500 for paint and clear. I got PPG DBC paint and 2021 clear. I did this for a couple of reasons. One being the quality--I was not going to skip on the base because I want the color to be "correct" and the second is more long term... what if something happens to the car and it has to go to a body shop or anything needs to be repaired. If it is standardized stuff they will be able to match it and it should still look good. -
How much did you buy? I've looked at the 2000 series PPG clears as well but the Spies Hecker is supposed to be a step up from that. I think the PPG clear with activator is right around $300 and the Spies is like $500.. The PPG that you got is one of the others that I am considering though- '88 m54 coupe

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With a metallic color its it will not turn out right with single stage so you will definitely have to use base clear. Ppg is good quality and pretty good with pricing. And clear coat is soo expensive, for good stuff you'll looking at 400+ a gallon, and then add base hardner and reducer. Good luck and post some pics when it's done cause it sounds like a sweet colorComment
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I got three quarts of each. I estimated 2 quarts of each. I will end up with 1.5 sprayable gallons of each. The nice thing with the Deltron is that it covers so well. You would need more if you were shooting omni or something like that. The only PPG clear you want to use for a complete is 2021. The rest of them are for collision repair for the most part. The 2021 will flow and level nicely if you use a slow reducer. If you can get 2002 that will do it but here in CA I cant get it. Soon enough they are switching to waterborn paint... (sighs)Comment
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Yeah 2002 is what I was looking at actually but I wasn't sure how good it was.I got three quarts of each. I estimated 2 quarts of each. I will end up with 1.5 sprayable gallons of each. The nice thing with the Deltron is that it covers so well. You would need more if you were shooting omni or something like that. The only PPG clear you want to use for a complete is 2021. The rest of them are for collision repair for the most part. The 2021 will flow and level nicely if you use a slow reducer. If you can get 2002 that will do it but here in CA I cant get it. Soon enough they are switching to waterborn paint... (sighs)- '88 m54 coupe

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Yeah I'm definitely looking for a high solids clear, I've got to do a whole e34 plus bumpers and skirts so I need it to go as far as possible, plus I really like the look. Probably between 1.5 and 2 sprayable gallons is what I need I'm thinking. I'll check into the deltron, was yours a solid color?Last edited by Jb325is; 06-28-2011, 04:59 PM.- '88 m54 coupe

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2002 clear is outstanding clear and very easy to use. I see absolutely no need to go better than that, even if its a show car. I painted my car in Deltron basecoat and used the Concept clear. The quality of finish after finish buffing is better than a new BMW and if the substrates were prepped properly, will last the rest of your car's life.
...But if you're talking a compatible metallic blue and thinking about the Concept line or better, your idea of "limited budget" may be different than everyone else's- that's pretty pricey stuff.Comment
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I was planning on spending $600-800, but the cheaper the better. I am using shop paper, primer, sealer, etc. so all I really need to buy is a clear kit and base. I think I'll probably go with the 2002, it looks I can get a gallon with activator and reducer for around $300.- '88 m54 coupe

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Best advice I can give you is to seal the car with PPG epoxy primer (DP) before painting - whatever you're having to do for prep.
The PPG paint (2002 & 2012 & such) are great paints - my second choice. If I want the best, I use Sikkens. If I want something cheap but still good paint, I use Dupont Nason (it's on my BMW). http://angelonearth.net/BMW.html
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"
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