Advice sought

AAE

Learner
Noticed I didn't have coverage after first coat of clear. So, I kind of double dusted the base on after a few minutes,very few. Then, put on the next coat of clear. Well, in the touched up area, the dusted base changed orientation and stood right up.

What's the prevention? Besides "make sure you have coverage".
Base not dry enough?
Could I out a coat of intercoat over the dusted base to lock it?
 
Noticed I didn't have coverage after first coat of clear. So, I kind of double dusted the base on after a few minutes,very few. Then, put on the next coat of clear. Well, in the touched up area, the dusted base changed orientation and stood right up.

What's the prevention? Besides "make sure you have coverage".
Base not dry enough?
Could I out a coat of intercoat over the dusted base to lock it?

Don't do it that way again. would be the best prevention. :) Dusting the base on more than likely was the cause. Spraying it dry doesn't let the mettallic orient itself properly. Putting it over wet clear is never a good idea either. That can change the look especially when spotting it in. When in doubt spray one more coat of base. Even when you think you have enough on it's not a bad idea to spray another coat.
 
I have avoided quite a few goofs by investing in a Sun Gun. After base, I turn the lights off and prowl around the job with the light looking for bad spots.
 
Even just a bright flashlight in a dark shop can reveal a lot.
I check that way most of the time because I don't have enough light
 
I originally bought the shop's Sun Gun for color matching, after a couple years of moving cars all over the property to catch actual sun at the right angle. Thinking back on that time makes me laugh, really, what a ridiculous waste of time that was! Fast forward another few years, and I had an eagle-eyed customer point out a spot in a panel that I hadn't seen, since at that moment the setting sun was at the perfect angle to reveal the primer spot that we didn't quite get covered. It was a Lexus purple-blue color, can't remember the code. After that, I got paranoid and realized that the Sun Gun could help prevent a repeat of that embarrassment. Mostly it gets used to look at blend panels, but any color that doesn't cover fairly quickly is going to get a pretty close look everywhere. Not only does it prevent mistakes, it also can save material by reducing the number of coats, since a quick look can reveal that the last coat that was planned was not actually necessary.
 
Yes. I tried a cheaper one, but it was no good. There are even fancier ones out there, but the 3M has been good.
 
yes a sun gun really is necessary if you do alot of painting. i do same as crash and turn all the booth lights off then walk around and look for spots. i have a 3m gun and have to say that no way would i ever buy another one of those. the batteries are cheap crap ni-cad batteries and the bulb is a halogen type that sucks the battery dead in about 30 sec of use. imo its a overpriced piece of crap. colors are accurate with it though. i have one now that i got through my akzo rep. not sure who makes it. i believe mine was a prototype. i got it a couple years back. i would imagine the actual one had been released by now. ill check and see if i can get any info. its a led bulb and a 18v batt. its color accurate, brighter than 3m and a full charge gets me about 6mos of regular use. i would guess maybe a total of 10-12hrs constant on time.....just a guess. no fan or heat like the 3m one. if i can find anything out on it ill post it up
 
@Jim C , please do share any info you have on that. Honestly I thought the short battery life was just par for the course, never having had anything different except the Astro ( I think) light which used 120V, but which sucked color-wise.
 
ok i got some info. these are being made any for anyone with a 3m sungun they also sell or do conversions to led. here is the website....

chromalectrix.com

you cant order anything off the sight but you can call or email. i have had mine for about 3 years now and it really is bad ass. in 3 years i have only charged the battery at best 4 times lol. i dont use it every day though. still you will get many hours out of a charge instead of a few minutes.
 
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