My first attempt at puttin some color on the Mustang

[AlanCasida]

I'm not sure I like it. It's hard for me to tell what a color will look like when I am looking at a paint chip sample. The color I had decided on was 1965 Mustang Silver Blue but it only comes in metallic and I don't really want to try metallic on my first attempt at painting a car. This color I picked is not even close. I only got 1/2 pint for a test, though. I'm glad I kept that spare quarter panel. I think it's going to get a lot of use before it's all said and done!

[jayb]

Its great you got something to practice on.  Robin's egg blue is probably not the right color, though...

[67gt350]

You did the right thing doing a "spray out". I used to sell 6x6 cards that the painters in the body shop used to test colors but always thought they were too small to give you a good idea of what you had when choosing a color. Something you sure don't want to make a mistake on with the cost of materials!! I kept an old 68 fender around to use. That thing probably has a quarter inch of paint on it!!

[AlanCasida]

Its great you got something to practice on.  Robin's egg blue is probably not the right color, though...

As soon as it left the gun I knew I wouldn't like it. It sure didn't look like that on the chip sample. Also I had the gun set up wrong for the clearcoat and it went on terrible. Like I said, I think that spare quarter is going to get a lot of use! I get a feeling that unless I go with some sort of red or a real dark blue, I will not be happy with a solid color. Metallic really brings a color to life.

[machoneman]

I'm no car painter but experts say beware of the color of your primer coat as it will affect your top coat hue, some more than others. You can experiment with this effect nicely on your test fender with white/black/gray primers in 3 strips if you like and then  spray on your top coat color. 

[jayb]

As soon as it left the gun I knew I wouldn't like it. It sure didn't look like that on the chip sample. Also I had the gun set up wrong for the clearcoat and it went on terrible. Like I said, I think that spare quarter is going to get a lot of use! I get a feeling that unless I go with some sort of red or a real dark blue, I will not be happy with a solid color. Metallic really brings a color to life.

Alan, why are you avoiding spraying a metallic?  Its not that tough with the base coat / clear coat system.  I turn the gun pressure up a little, and fog the paint on from a little farther away, while shaking the gun to keep the metallic in suspension.  Its not that tough to get an even finish once you get the hang of it.  And then the clear will smooth it right out.

My challenges have always been the candy colors with the tinted clear top coats.  Getting those on evenly across the car can be a challenge...

[AlanCasida]

As soon as it left the gun I knew I wouldn't like it. It sure didn't look like that on the chip sample. Also I had the gun set up wrong for the clearcoat and it went on terrible. Like I said, I think that spare quarter is going to get a lot of use! I get a feeling that unless I go with some sort of red or a real dark blue, I will not be happy with a solid color. Metallic really brings a color to life.

Alan, why are you avoiding spraying a metallic?  Its not that tough with the base coat / clear coat system.  I turn the gun pressure up a little, and fog the paint on from a little farther away, while shaking the gun to keep the metallic in suspension.  Its not that tough to get an even finish once you get the hang of it.  And then the clear will smooth it right out.

My challenges have always been the candy colors with the tinted clear top coats.  Getting those on evenly across the car can be a challenge...

I was just nervous about some of the issues involved with spraying metallic but the guy at the paint store said pretty much the same thing as you. After shooting that blue on my spare quarter I have pretty much concluded that I won't be happy unless I use metallic paint. So, I think I'll get a sample of Guardsman Blue and Silver Blue and see which one I like best.

[67gt350]

The basecoat / clearcoat systems are the best IMO. The big thing is be consistent and watch your temperature. Several reducers are available to help. I like to use the next step slower (cooler temp) especially if doing a complete all over job - it gives you a little more time so you don't have to rush..rushing is bad.