Single stage vs paint and clear on Alpine White

[Staszek]

My current car is an Alpine White II single stage. Its not in horrible shape but there are some dings and little dents and scratches. Couple that with the fact that I have a brand new in the box Mtech II kit that needs to be painted and installed on the car.

One of the autobody shop I was talking to said he can try to clean up the single stage, but since I am putting a new body kit on if I wanted it to match perfectly it would probably be a repaint of the car and he suggested two stage instead of the old single.

I was always planning on a total repaint, but should I go for the two stage, I have read a little about the differences, but Im not sure and would love opinions.

[reelizmpro]

I'm sort of facing the same dilemma with my 323i. I was going to just have the M tech 1 kit painted and throw it on but repainting the entire car in two stage paint makes more sense especially if the car needs it. Besides, fresh two stage paint isn't going to match 30 year old single stage and white is one of those colors that there are many versions of. You're installing an M tech 2 kit on the car so I don't think you have to worry too much about keeping it original.

[Staszek]

I'm sort of facing the same dilemma with my 323i. I was going to just have the M tech 1 kit painted and throw it on but repainting the entire car in two stage paint makes more sense especially if the car needs it. Besides, fresh two stage paint isn't going to match 30 year old single stage and white is one of those colors that there are many versions of. You're installing an M tech 2 kit on the car so I don't think you have to worry too much about keeping it original.

Yea I dont care about originality much since the car will also have an S54 in it lol.

I am just thinking it may be easier to just repaint the whole thing in 2 stage Alpine white.

I am curious of the costs. I was thinking of getting the whole car Dustless Blasted to start with a new fresh car.

[jeffnhiscars]

I had an 89 AW II car and I do believe it was 2 stage. The 84 AW I had was def single stage. The colors are also noticeably different fwiw.

[Staszek]

I had an 89 AW II car and I do believe it was 2 stage. The 84 AW I had was def single stage. The colors are also noticeably different fwiw.

Maybe mine is already two stage. Mine is a 90, how do I tell. It seems very flat.

[reelizmpro]

Only metallics came 2 stage from the factory. This doesn't mean the dealer or paintshop couldn't offer to clearcoat or repaint it some time after.

[Keith M]

Single stage is way easier to prep and paint but it won't quite match the shine and durable of base/clear.