How to Test for Single Stage or Clear Coat Paint

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

How to Test for Single Stage or Clear Coat Paint

To test for a single stage paint, try to find a light colored or white polish if you're working on any kind of pigmented paint. If you're testing white paint then try to use a polish with a color to it and a dark colored cloth, (so you can confirm that you're removing white paint and not just seeing the color of the paint).



Use an ample amount for plenty of lubrication as you're going to want to push firmly if no oxidation is present as was the case with the finish on the classic car.







Confirmed, we're working on a single stage paint... also note the heavier accumulation were my fingers pressed down with the most pressure... this is because you can exert more pressure to the small area of your finger tips than you can with your entire hand, you can use this to work for you or cause problems depending upon what you're trying to do...

[Garry Dean]

Good example, Mike.

[Dr Oldz]

Lake country ccs applicators, wax applicator, sealant applicator

I also find these helpful on lighter color paints.

[Acer9103]

So if it has clear coat no paint should transfer?

[dad07]

Originally Posted by Acer9103

So if it has clear coat no paint should transfer?

correct!

[embolism]

what about tinted clears?

was also reading about mixing clear with the single stage paint to make a hybrid of sorts...

[HighLine]

Originally Posted by Acer9103

So if it has clear coat no paint should transfer?

Exactly....

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by embolism

what about tinted clears?

was also reading about mixing clear with the single stage paint to make a hybrid of sorts...

Just wrote an article about the different types of paint including some pictures of what to expect if you're buffing out a tinted clear...

Single Stage Paint - Tinted Clears - Basecoat/Clearcoat - Embedded Dirt


Excerpt...

Tinted Clear Coats
If you're working on a TINTED clear you'll pull a LITTLE color or pigment and see this on your buffing pad. For example, here's some pictures from the Red Jewel Tint 2011 Camaro we buffed out a few weeks ago that belongs to Rene.


2011 Camaro - Modeled by Amy


Robert does a Test Spot on the hood to dial-in the process the rest of us will duplicate over the rest of the car. For this he's using the Flex 3401 with a Cyan Hydro-Tech Cutting Pad and the Blackfire Scratch Resistant Compound. This combination of products on the 5.0 Speed Setting removed all but the deepest RIDS



Here you can see the tint in the tinted clear coming off the car as we compound it and onto the face of the pad. This is nothing to worry about, keep in mind when you're doing any correction work on a clearcoat paint system you too are removing paint that is building up on the face of your buffing pad but because the paint is clear you won't see it build-up on the face of your pad.





See this article,
Why it's important to clean your pads often...


Finished...
Polished correctly, tinted clears offer a candied look...

[5.4 Shelby]

Originally Posted by Acer9103

So if it has clear coat no paint should transfer?

Paint will transfer, you just wont see it as it is clear.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by 5.4 Shelby

Paint will transfer, you just wont see it as it is clear.

That's exactly right.

And that's why it's important to clean your pads often no matter what type of paint your working on because you will have two things building up on the face of your pads that will interfere with the buffing process.

• Spent product
• Removed paint

See this article,

Why it's important to clean your pads often...