Diminishing returns

Dave C 5

Dave C 5

Member
At what point is clear too much . I’m building a mustang for my wife - using UV . 3 coats - block with 400 - 3 more coats- block with 800 and work to buff . BUT —— does doing more coats and continuing the process make it better/deeper ? All I’ve ever done is 5 coats- I hear of Sema cars having 15+ - we’re talking Universal Clear- at what point does it get no better/deeper and road worthy become a problem. I will throw as many coats as it takes to make sure she has the best finish out there ! Also — it will e a solid color- Gulf Strean Aqua
 
totally agree. if i did 2 panels and 1 had just 2-3 coats sanded and buffed and the other had 15 coats sanded and buffed and i gave both of them to you. you would not be able to tell the difference. honestly, its all in the sand and buff job.
 
The deep look comes from the clarity of the finish IMO. ie. no scratches looking back at you in the light, so a superior cutting/buffing job should be your focus. This is of course after you have the panel flat from blocking the primer. Don't rely on cutting countless coats of clear to make the panel flat.
 
Millage become a factor also. At what point? IDK. Personally I think the practical limit is 4+4. Barry has stated though he put 11 coats of UV on a car once.
 
There have been many a motorcycle fender that i have had 25 coats of uv clear on. This was not for depth or the hell of it. This is after each artwork step the finish is cleared then blocked flat for the next. A finished job i do not want to feel any of the graphics or airbrush work. It should be perfectly smooth. The uv clear is plenty stable at high mils because it stays flexible over years. These jobs i cannot tell the thickness of the clear vs a job with 2-3 coats
 
I put 14 coats of Euro on this oak bed. I did my best to channel Jim but there was several rounds of clear and sanding to get rid of the last remnants of the grain. :) It will be interesting to see how it stands up.

It is a patina build but the owner insisted on the stained oak bed.

Don
535D3ED1-63B1-4093-8ED7-DC077A3FEB10.jpeg
 
Jim C said:
Looks good. Oak is a bitch because its so grainy
Click to expand...
I knew it was going in thanks to yours and Ken’s posts here. Tried the water based gel grain sealer with mixed results. I reread the thread and realized I forgot to use intercoat clear as a sealer. It was a lot of work but owner insisted on oak. I tried to sell him on weathered pine but it was a no go.

Don
 
dhutton01 said:
I put 14 coats of Euro on this oak bed. I did my best to channel Jim but there was several rounds of clear and sanding to get rid of the last remnants of the grain. :) It will be interesting to see how it stands up.

It is a patina build but the owner insisted on the stained oak bed.

Don
View attachment 17083
Click to expand...

That is gorgeous !!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top