i called for paint, than they started asking me what i wanted, 1 stage, 2 stage, base/clearcoat
!!! i asked for B-90P (supersonic blue pearl from 98 gsr)
do i have to add the pearl and buy pearl paint extra? or do they make colors that have the pearl in them?

 

i'm not sure on the answer to this one. i just wanted to ask if you asked the guy you were talking to? if your unsure ask the guy to explain what he means by 1 stage, 2 stage etc..

 

some colors are a blend of several other colors. for example, milano red is supposed to be purple and orange mixed together with a clear coat on top. maybe that's what the dealer was referring to?

 

do you intend to paint something yourself? do you paint professionally? if not, then i would suggest you dont mess with paint like this. what they mean by stage 1, 2, ect.. is that there are different "tints" that go together to make that color. just like milano red paint: the actual color is bright orange, but when a purple tint is sprayed on it, it turns into a deep red. from what i've seen SSblue looks like, i think the stage 1 is a dark purple, 2 is a lighter blue, and the pearl is mixed in with the clearcoat.. or, stage 1 could be a blue-purple, and stage 2 is the pearl then the clear coat..

either way, you have to have alot of experience spraying pearls and metallics to make this paint look good. spray to close, or too much at a time, and the paint will look dark purple w/no pearl effect. spray too fast or too far away and it will come out baby blue-silver... so you will have a car that looks like it has purple and silver stripes or at least lighter stripes and darker stripes, u know what i mean?

and yes you need to purchase all of these different shades. the dealer will only sell you the 1oz bottle so you must get all of the different codes and go to a body shop and have them mix you a custom batch of the paint. good luck!


[Modified by fiebru1119, 3:40 AM 4/26/2002]

 

Ok, ok...let me clear this up. What they mean by stages is this: 1 stage is simply one stage meaning you DONT need a clear coat, you mix it and spray it, it only takes one step not counting the primer. 2 stage is a base coat/clear coat application, meaning you need to spray a base coat which is the color coat, and then you spray a clear coat..which gives it its shine. 3 stage paint would be used on custom paints such as chromillusion and other such 'color changing' paints. I would not suggest mixing pearls with single stage paint...becuase you might need to wet sand and the results might not be as desired. 2 stage is your best bet...and you can mix the pearl in the clearcoat or the basecoat..but I suggest highly on mixing it in the base coat as for when you wet sand you will not be taking away the pearl effect.

Now as for the color changing when you spray too close or far away...that is not exactly so. Pearls will have the same effect no matter how they are sprayed, but metallics can 'stripe' and look kind of like a zebra if not applied correctly but we are talking about pearls..so lets stay on track . When you spray you should keep the spray gun at the same distance away from the car and change as the contour of the car changes...so you get the same pattern throughout. If you are using a gravity feed gun..then spray about 6"-8" away, if using a siphon feed gun then spray about 8"-10" away...but always follow the instructions for the gun and the paint.
You dont need to purchase different shades, the paint shop that you have mix it will mix the shades to match the color...they should also mix the pearl in with it.

I would also suggest getting allot of practice with this before you go at it on your car...I have done allot of practicing and its not easy..its an art. If you spray too close you will get more chance of the paint running...if you spray too far away you could get massive orange peel...either way ask allot of questions at the paint store they are very helpfull there..