12 replies to this topic

[Bert]

Anyone here got a 3 stage paint job?

Am looking to get my mini re sprayed but every colour i like is a 3 stage paint process...

Is there anyone with a 3 stage paint done?
Any problems been found so far? like, if u've painted it and had to change a panel for whatever reason, how hard was it to match the paint again?

cheers

[In-a-mini]

depends some say 3 stage but just means needs a ground coat but only for coverage others are 3 stage where the second stage is a tinted clear where if more coats are applied then the colour gets deeper? if its later type then yes can be a real pain to get a match if repairs are needed. can be done but usually shows to a degree. What is the colour?

[welshdan]

mine came out well.

the compressor did pick up water on a very small area of the clear coat and that spoiled the finished in a small part of the car, not enought for everyone to notice, but i know its there,

[Bert]

depends some say 3 stage but just means needs a ground coat but only for coverage others are 3 stage where the second stage is a tinted clear where if more coats are applied then the colour gets deeper? if its later type then yes can be a real pain to get a match if repairs are needed. can be done but usually shows to a degree. What is the colour?

2nd one, there is a few colours.

Initially i bought Candy apple red...love this colour, but the original painter said he wouldnt do it cause he knew the mini would rust and matching it would be a coont...

every other colour i've looked at is the exact same tho, 3 stage...from Nissan R34 Gun metal grey, ford Frozen white, Alfa 8C Competizion red...etc

it's proving a rather pain in the aris...

[WiredbyWilson]

Did any of the painters explain what this "3 stage" process is?

Most older paints are recognised as 'base coat and clear' meaning colour coats plus laquer. These days with water based paints it is very much the same.
So i can only see that 3 stages are: 1) primer, 2) colour/base/metallic 3) laquer / top coat.

As for matching colours in the future - any painter worth anything can match paint / adjust re fade (most paints have 3 - 5 shades) or flick the panels surrounding the repair.
I mean how do cars get repaired normally.

Pick a colour and go for it mate

[panelbeaterpeter]

By three stage I'm assuming you're meaning a pearl or candy colour? They often have a base colour, then a binder based transparent coat, either tinted or containing pearl, the affect or depth of colour relying on the number of coats applied. Either way all 3 stage paints are a nightmare to match, seeing as you can't blend them like conventional 2 stage metallics, so have to rely on getting an edge to edge match, which is often difficult with even a 2 stage.

Edited by panelbeaterpeter, 19 January 2010 - 07:34 PM.

[In-a-mini]

no a 3 stage paint is 1.metalic/straight base 2.tinted clear then 3.the final clear coat. As said the effect or colour can be altered by the number of coats applied. when repairing a car painted in this way you usually have to mix an amount of paint an spray out what is called a let down panel (not a spray out card) what you do is paint fully with the ground basecoat then mask off in strips paint one coat of tinted clear remove a strip then another coat repaint until panel is fully painted. what you end up with is a panel with gradually darker stripes down it. compare this to the vehicle and which ever one is closest is how you have to paint the panels to match. you cannot blend though so edge to edge is how it needs painting.

[welshdan]

my response was based upon spraying onto the primed shell

in my case it was a flat base colour, foloewd my the metalic colour and then the clear coat

[Bert]

Aye so u agree it'll be difficult to match...i might just go ahead with it cause i am probably going to punt it before work needs done...unless i get smashed into

[Bert]

mine came out well.

the compressor did pick up water on a very small area of the clear coat and that spoiled the finished in a small part of the car, not enought for everyone to notice, but i know its there,

what colour did u get urs? any chance of some pictures?

[olliemarc]

Anyone here got a 3 stage paint job?

Am looking to get my mini re sprayed but every colour i like is a 3 stage paint process...

Is there anyone with a 3 stage paint done?
Any problems been found so far? like, if u've painted it and had to change a panel for whatever reason, how hard was it to match the paint again?

cheers

if you are choosing a standard varient of a colour from a factory standard car then if you were to change a panal then they should mix the same varient of that colour for respray, u shouldnt have any problem unless u use a flip or metal flake, always get them to write down what variant of colour they have used because some paints have many and could cost if respraying and tinting to match existing paint

[welshdan]

old post i know, but here you go...

[roofless]

its problematic to say the least if you get a doink or scratch - just have to be prepared in your mind that its a big job to sort even minor blemishes.