The base coat/clear coat system

So here we go! If you read my last blog you now should have a pretty good understanding of single stage paint systems and the basic applications of them. Now its time to move on to base coat/ clear coat systems.

     Let me start off by saying that I am only giving you the bare bones basic information on these systems. They can be pretty complicated so if you have any serious questions let me know. Base coat systems vary  from urethane to waterborne to polyester resins that each have their own pros and cons. The most common type of base coat is urethane. Most urethane base coats can be hardened or catalysed to help durability. Most, but not all! As with anything, quality varies and you get what you pay for! A lot of painters will buy the cheaper or less expensive base coat thinking that they are saving money. But if you have to go around a project 4 or 5 times to get coverage, not much money saved! I guess what I am saying is, you can save money buying a cheaper or less expensive base coat, but my time is just too valuable to waist going around a project twice as many times as I have to! And don't misunderstand me, less expensive base coats have their place in the industry, and some colors cover better than others.

    I my self prefer to use polyester base coat. It dries much faster that acrylic and allows for tape over in only a few minutes. When you are painting 4 to 5 colors on one project that helps. Every painter has their own preference, and trust me I have sprayed about every product line out there at one time or another, and polyester is my preference. These are really the most common base coat systems. Waterborne base coat systems are relatively new to the industry. They are required for use in most parts of California and a few other states, and they are going to be required for use everywhere, its just a matter of time.

     I don't really see the need to continue with the technical break down on waterborne base coats, since they are not required here and only a small handful of painters in the whole state even use them. But, like I said.... If you want to know about them, I will let you know what I know!

      Well that's pretty much it for base coats! Tomorrow we will discuss clears and get way more in depth with what they are and what they really do!

   Until then,
H