Does Scuffing "Kill" the Pearl??

T

texastomeh

I've read all the theads, but still am a little confused.:confused:

Let's assume I shoot a couple of coats of SPI Intercoat Clear with dry pearl (ice blue) added over a basecoat (white). Let's further assume that I have to let it set for a couple/few/several days. If I scuff it with a gray(?) scotchpad before shooting the final 2-3 coats of SPT Universal Clear, will I still get the "pearl effect" in the finished job?

Thanx,

Tom
 
Shouldn't technically be any reason to scuff, but say if for example to want to sand out some imperfections, apply one or two coats of intercoat without pearl over the top of your pearl job, then you don't have to worry about possibly disturbing the pearl particles.
 
Never scuff a pearl base. If you really have to do it that way put a couple of coats of clear (no dry pearl) intercoat over the pearl coat.
It would be better to plan to have enough time to be able to apply the top clear.

crash, we were typing at the same time and I use two slow fingers.
 
My main concern is varying levels of "gloss" in the pearl intercoat after shooting. The objective (for me) of scuffing the pearl coat would be to obtain a uniform level of gloss in the pearl coat prior to shooting the clear top coats.

Does that (my concern/objective) make sense?

I know that the right answer is to be good enough to spray the entire pearl intercoat with uniform gloss and then spay the clear top coats, wet sand and buff. Problem is that I ain't good enough to spay the entire car with pearl intercoat to uniform gloss.

Suggestions (short of; "Don't use pearl intercoat." (LOL))??????

Thanx,

Tom
 
Your concern is somewhat misplaced. The appearance of the finished pearl coats can give you an idea of how good your spray technique is, but there is nothing you can do after the fact to make up for any deficiency in gun technique. Anything you do with a scuff pad can only make it worse, unevenness in gloss level itself is not a problem, it is just a possible indicator of uneven application of the base.

Do a large test panel to see if you are able to lay the pearl on even enough, if you see stripes or other defects, you know there is actually something there to worry about. Otherwise, you may find that those uneven areas disappear under the urethane clear and were nothing to worry about at all.
 
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