I've heard there is such a thing as a clear coat that can make your paint have a metaillic look. Is this true? How much would it typically cost to have a body shop put this on? Thanks...


[Modified by OldSchoolHatch, 8:25 PM 5/18/2002]

 

you can have a clearcoat with anything in it like a color,pearl,glitter etc. price depends on body shop

 

But how much cheaper would it be than having a whole new paint job?

 

depends on what kinda of new paint

 

if your paint looks like royal crap then you'll be better off getting a new paint job. dont go cheap with a paint job you'll get what you pay for.

 

My paint's in pretty good shape, it just has some scratches. I need advice on taking care of them too, and I posted a thread about it...

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=188600

 

Body shop guy here again! Clear coat will bring out the metallic in a metallic color, but it's not worth it. There'd be little cost difference in just clearing the car vs. just repainting it. There's almost the same amount of work and you'd get a better finish by just repainting it. Any blemishes such as stone chips are magnified if they are just cleared over. If the car's paint is in good shape and just looks a little dull, send it to a detail shop and spend the $100 on getting it compounded and buffed. That'll give you the same result as clearing it and way cheaper! You could do that for the next 10 years and it'd still be cheaper than just clearing it.

 

I should have read your post better. Yes, there are lots of things that you can put in clear to make it have a pearl/metallic look. Look for the cost being anywhere from $800-$1500. Beware, you get what you pay for!

 

Thanks for the help. Is that a standard price for having a car this size compounded and buffed? Will having it compounded damage what's left of the clear coat? The clear coat's good to have because it protects the paint, but is there any layer of protection after you have it compounded and buffed?

If you wax your car a lot, does that protect your paint almost as much as a clear coat? And when you say buffed do you mean wet buffed, or is that something different because I know that usually makes a big difference on older cars. Thanks...

 

Just get it painted EBP, all will be well!!

Chris


[Modified by B16ED4G, 11:23 PM 5/20/2002]


[Modified by B16ED4G, 11:25 PM 5/20/2002]

 

Compounding your car shouldn't hurt anything unless your clear is completely dead. It's good to spend the $$$ to have a pro do it so you don't buff through the edges. Wet sanding and compounding is something that is done to new paint to achieve the desired texture and eliminate any blemishes. You DO NOT want to wet sand and buff your car, just compound and glaze it. $100 is probably the average cost of compounding and glazing your car.
Wax will help protect the finish and keep the gloss. It's not, however, going to act as a clear coat.

 

Here ya go....




Yager-

 

if clear coat was metalic then it wouldnt be clear now would it