Which takes less talent to paint: A Kirker Hotrod Black acrylic urathane or a Silver w/ small metalic & urathane clear?
As you may have guessed I haven't had much experience....

 

Metallics are always harder than non metallic colors. Urethane is very easy to paint and is easy to sand and buff if you make a huge mistake.

If you spray a metallic incorrectly you can get tiger stipes and even waterfalls (though with urethane...this have dropped to nothing).

Kenny

 

black is the worst color in regards to bodywork and errors but metallic adds the additional challenge of getting the metal to flow right. Typically the biggest problem is the clear coat- it takes better atomization and/or the knowledge of spraying it as you don't apply it near the same as the base coat or you will have sags and runs.

I'm assuming the black is a single stage ie clear is in the base. That is probably easier but if you make a mistake your done for a while ie it needs to cure before sanding etc. With a two stage ie seperate clear you can near immediately fix the basecoat, re-spray and then clear. The only thing you can't do is wait too long to respray and then clear so you need to block off enough time to account for errors when you spray.

If you sand the metallic you have to re-spray that area. You can color sand the clear once it's applied.

Bottom line: If the bodywork is empeccable and you want black...go for it but i'd consider a two stage- some swear by single. Otherwise i'd not hesitate to spray the metallic...my 1st paint job in a very long time was a metallic 2 stage with the new hvlp technology and the base coat was just about perfect and a couple small runs in the clear....but now i have an iwata to help with the clear :-)

 

Both paint systems, Single stage and base clear have ther pros and cons like stated above. However with all other aspects aside IE: quality of the body work and such, for a novic painter I'd suggest you go with a non matalic basecoat clearcoat paint job. This way you don't need to worry about the matalic in the paint clumping or striping, and any runs can be easaly sanded and buffed out. Also even though runs in single stage paints can taken out, it is very hard to get the nice shinny finnish back once you start sanding and buffing on it, this type of paint really was desingied to be a spray it and leave it type of paint.

 

After weighing all the pros and cons guess I'll go with a base/clear......I just love sanding so much anyhoo; so that's right up my alley. I'm thinking purple with red pokadots...................or not.

 

Don't let everyone scare you away from spraying metallics, it's not all that bad. True you can get striping and such but not if you're spraying with a good pattern. As far as going with black, you better have a good straight body, and that goes for any dark color. I've recommended lighter colors and silvers to people time and time again who are taking their first real stab at paint and bodywork / painting for the simple fact that they don't show the flaws as bad and the final outcome, you'll be a bit happier with the result. Whichever you choose, take your time, read the mixing instructions and have fun with it.

 

ferg....you might try picking up a pint of metallic and try it. It's really easy for those who have the natural feel for the art type stuff...and know how to set the gun up. others need to work at it...some a lot. SO whether or not you can do it to your satisfaction is entirely determined on what you bring to the game and how you prepare yourself and equiptment.

If you like to sand anyway....the worst possible outcome is that you get to have some extra fun and spend a little more $$. But the $ won't be wasted as the best experiences are those that involve some level of failure.

Also polka dots will hide many an imperfection if placed correctly. But i would try to shop where they sell paint to men...purple and red dots? Kidding of course :-) that would look pretty good/unique i'm thinking.

 

So with the Black and dark colors showing imperfect body work....does the same hold true with the Satin finish hotrod black or is it more forgiving?

 

more forgiving.