Its not so much the paint as it is the painter. Also the prep work is where you need to spend 99% off your time. I have used Dupont Chroma, PPG, Sherwin Williams, Western Automotive (which is junk) and Nason all with good results, with all except the Western Automotive which I would advise anyone not to wasit their money. If you are going to do the whole car, then Dopont Nason will do just fine. There is no need to waist money on the Chroma unless you are going to spot. Here is Nason on the 65. 10 foot or 10 inches it doesn't matter, it all looks the same.

 

I really like your work Evil! Great job on prep and shooting it.
You are right on about the details and prep work. I can also see why paint shops charge as much as they do. It is a lot of work

 

Why buy a gallon? You won't come anywhere close to using a gallon of paint. You could paint four cars with a gallon. A quart of base color and a quart of clear is more then ample to paint the car.

 

The Chromabase line (which I use exclusively now) is more collision oriented...
The match is real good and it cover nice as well.

Nason is cheaper but some light colors like whites, just will not cover... PITA!
Can you say 10 coats of base minimum vs 4 max, with Chroma or PPG.
So in the end, it will cost you the same by the time you get the sealer etc...
Also to match Nason later on if you scratch a fender, might be only approximate, lol.

 

I don't think so...

 

I used 1/2 gallon of BC (plus reducer) and shot 2 coats
I used 2 gallons of CC (plus catalist) for 4 coats

You must maintain 2 mil thickness of CC or you will delaminate the paint in 18 months from UV rays. You need to have extra CC for color sanding and buffing to be safe.

 

The coverage will depend on the color. I had "NO" trouble with the white on the stripes (a quart will do). There is 3 wet coats of white and 3 coats of blue on the car and NO sealer. Again, I will say the Nason to do a whole car is just fine. On a factory spot panel, it may pay to spend twice the money for the chroma as it will NORMALLY be a better match to the factory paint. Also something to do just for kicks, ask the shop if they will let you hold a gallon of base that is used to make white and then hold a gallon of base for some of the darker colors. The white will be twice as heavy. I would recommend you buy a gallon especialy if you plan on back-painting the jams, under hood, inside deck lid and yada yada. To mix three quarts is often cost the same price or more as a gallon. You can re size the leftover into a smaller can (with little air space) incase of touch up or to spot in a panel later. Also the gallon mixes are more accurate. The smaller the batch, the smaller the amount of color pigments that are added, even to splitting grams. This is where I think a lot of mis-matches come in due to the small numbers. A good painter will know how to blend and fade so that you will never notice in case of a repair. Good luck.

 

Thanks for all of the great advice. I have decided to go with the Nason BC and the Chroma clear. I know that the prep work is what makes a paint job come out great. I should give up my gym membership...block sanding is a heck of a tricep workout!!

Jeff