Basecoat Purchase

T

Tiggie

Getting ready to visit my local jobber to buy basecoat for my project car, 68 Mustang Coupe which is going to be a dark blue metallic (hopefully the original presidential blue if they can get it).
I’m a novice and but would like to be an informed buyer so that I don’t end up buying something unnecessary.
The jobber is a PPG distributor.

Basically, is there anything I need to buy from the jobber besides the basecoat?

I understand I can use SPI products for reducer and/or activators in the PPG base. Correct me if I am wrong...

Finally, assuming it’s a 1:1 mix ratio, will a gallon of base be enough? And how much clear? It’s the whole outside of the car, door jambs, inside of the trunk floor and underside decklid, and underside of hood.

I have considered Motobase but they can’t mix the 68 color. I found one similar they can mix, and I may go with that depending on the prices PPG gives me.
 
Got a price quote today and didn’t buy anything yet...

The only base in a base/clear system he can get in my color is at first what he called Omni Plus, but on my quote it seems to just be Omni. $200.40/gallon... much cheaper than I was expecting.

I am still reading on Omni but I see a lot of not recommended. I am also still reading up on Omni Plus which some people think is okay but not the best. Experiences to share with either?

Chad says he can match something in Motobase if I send him a sample but I have nothing to send since my car came of the lot in yellow...
 
Omni Plus is not what you want to put on that vehicle. It is a basically Omni with some slight differences. An economy basecoat. I would not use it if it were mine.
I have PPG books dating to the 60's. Checking one of them (1968), the original PPG number for Presidential Blue was 13356. That was for either Acrylic Lacquer, Acrylic Enamel, or Alkyd Enamel. Jobber should be able to cross that to a formula in Deltron DBC (PPG's good basecoat). You could also ask him to contact PPG PaintManager Color Help and have them give him a suitable formula in DBC using that number. If your Jobber is unwilling to do that, find another PPG Jobber.
You could also try contacting PPG directly yourself. (probably what I would do) They have formulas in DBC for many of the classics and musclecars. Just have to do a little digging.
 
Any second line paint is going to not cover as good as first line. It may cost less per gallon but will take more to do what needs done.
 
I found that same number online and took it to him when I went today. I asked him if he could cross reference to a better base but he seemed pretty set on selling the Omni. Never said he couldn’t. Quote: “the quality of base doesn’t matter if it’s an all over job. As long as you have a good clear.”
I don’t want to trash talk him, I do appreciate his time and effort. His thinking doesn’t seem to be inline with what I am reading on this forum, however.
I will try to contact PPG and/or the jobber to see if I can get the color in a better base.
 
I found that same number online and took it to him when I went today. I asked him if he could cross reference to a better base but he seemed pretty set on selling the Omni. Never said he couldn’t. Quote: “the quality of base doesn’t matter if it’s an all over job. As long as you have a good clear.”
I don’t want to trash talk him, I do appreciate his time and effort. His thinking doesn’t seem to be inline with what I am reading on this forum, however.
I will try to contact PPG and/or the jobber to see if I can get the color in a better base.

I used PPG for a number of years. Shot plenty of Omni Plus in collision jobs. The lower quality is something that you can actually see with Omni/Omni Plus. The metallics are muddier and not as distinct. The base will fade over time even with a quality clear on it.
I would ask the Jobber to contact PPG Paint Manager Color Help. PPG Paint Manager is the name of the software they use. Ask him to check with color help and see if they will find a formula in Deltron DBC. If not check around your area for another PPG Jobber (look for a PPG Platinum Jobber or try another brand. We use Cromax now at the shop I work at, I'll check and see if I can find something for you in Axalta/Cromax.
 
I used some shopline couple years ago. Old car color that nobody had a formula for except in shopline. It was single-stage enamel and was thin as water.
 
Went to my Axalta distributor today. Super nice to deal with. Says he can make it in a Nason base by converting a single stage formula to a base. Can’t do Metalux in this color. Wouldn’t price Chromabase or Standox, didn’t say why other than it’s just not needed for an all over job.
Going to research the Nason base on here now... comments on Nason base are welcome.
 
I checked our Cromax Paint Manger. The old Dupont (now Axalta) number 4866 still works. :) It is available in Cromax Pro WB,(waterbourne) but that was the only line that it showed up in. If you would like Tiggie, Monday I'll call our Color help line and see if I can find a formula in Standox, Metallux or Chroma Premier Pro. We have a Cromax Mosaic mixing system in the shop I work at and sometimes I can't get a formula in Mosaic. Cal the color help line and they always are able to give me a formula close enough to blend. I feel pretty certain that they can do the same for that color in either Standox or Metallux.

Nason is Axalta/Dupont's version of Omni. Slightly better in quality but still low end. Don't know why he wouldn't price you the higher end stuff. I see you are from Virginia, what general area? E&M Auto Paint and Supply is our Axalta/Cromax jobber. I'll try and find you something Monday that will suit your needs.
 
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I've used nason before. It is ok but will take more layers to cover. Some colors are better than others about coverage. If I were you I would wait to see what Chris comes up with. A better line even tho more expensive up front will save money in the long run.
 
I checked our Cromax Paint Manger. The old Dupont (now Axalta) number 4866 still works. :) It is available in Cromax Pro WB,(waterbourne) but that was the only line that it showed up in. If you would like Tiggie, Monday I'll call our Color help line and see if I can find a formula in Standox, Metallux or Chroma Premier Pro. We have a Cromax Mosaic mixing system in the shop I work at and sometimes I can't get a formula in Mosaic. Cal the color help line and they always are able to give me a formula close enough to blend. I feel pretty certain that they can do the same for that color in either Standox or Metallux.

Nason is Axalta/Dupont's version of Omni. Slightly better in quality but still low end. Don't know why he wouldn't price you the higher end stuff. I see you are from Virginia, what general area? E&M Auto Paint and Supply is our Axalta/Cromax jobber. I'll try and find you something Monday that will suit your needs.
E&M is where I went, in Lynchburg. Let me know what you find out. Just when you get chance - don’t want you to go to too much trouble.
 
Lol Small world, that's my Jobber Tiggie. :) I'm about 30 miles south in Brookneal. I'll do some digging, I'll get you something quality that will work.
 
That's a happy ending lol.
I'm novice, sprayed omn plus both my cars, look for fade none yet and it olny has to last long as me lol.
I will knock flake size, much too large my opinion, could jobber have used cheaper flake? Chris?
Either way people trip, walk into each other, or drive me crazy with nice car compliments.
Lots of clear, more the merrier when u reach that stage. Use spi reducers for everything.
 
I have to admit - I use a lot of Omni plus . I live in an area where maybe the avg paint job is $8000 with 150-200hrs. It’s just side work I do. I haven’t noticed any fade on cars I painted in 5 years . I understand the quality is not the best but I’ve had zero complaints. Usually takes a 4th coat to be sure but seldom use more than a gallon or an extra quart . I’m not necessarily recommending it but it is an option . I guess I use it cause my local supplier carries it and he barely stays in business .hes really good to me. I throw business his way to help him out
 
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