Pearl in SPI basecoat

jcmeyer5

Having fun learning!
Just curious. I’m guessing it isn’t a good idea since the base coats are opaque. Best bet is a tri-coat job?
 
Yes. I believe the intercoat clear (a clear base coat) is where the pearl is applied. (It is best to try on scrap metal to determine the number of coats, amount of pearl, etc.)

Some colors have two base coat layers, hence a foundation coat and then a coat with additional colors, pearls, metallics. This would then be clear coated over. If I am not mistaken that is a true tri-stage color.
 
I ask because I see basecoats advertised as a "pearl" basecoat - looks more metallic to me.

I really dont fancy a three stage paint job on my first outing...
 
True, not all pearls are tri-coats. Pearl is used in place of metallic or along with it because it provides sparkle while maintaining higher color saturation and other effects that aren't possible with traditional aluminum particles. You probably want to avoid a three stage job on your first go, but there are a lot of really nice two stage colors out there.
 
So back to the original question. Is the SPI red something that I can add pearl to? Or being a solid color, it wont come out the way I want?

I appreciate SPI and their products, and want to use what I can from the lineup. Perhaps this is a place I cant make it work though.
 
yes you can add pearl to any basecoat including spi BUT... it depends on the color and pigments used. some pigments dont take pearl being mixed into it. the pigments just hide the pearl or make it look muddy. black for instance you can add pearl to and it will look great. white and bright red on the other hand dont accept pearl. you will never see a pearl white that is a one shot deal from any mfg. pearl whites are always tricoat.
 
Like Jim said, pearl red has to be designed from the ground up to be a pearl color, you can't add pearl to any solid red that I know of. Even putting pearl midcoat over a solid red usually looks like trash, imo. Lots of people stray from SPI on the base coat, don't sweat it too much, just get a good brand and be ready to pay $$$$$.
 
I am painting a mustang for a guy and he wanted a red he saw on “Bitchin Rides”. Made by AkzoNobel “modern classikk”. It’s called “Redical “ - beautiful ! Has pearls and such - really does look like a 3 stage but it isn’t- mixes 1:.5(or .75 if you prefer). Covers in 2 coats(but I gave it 3 anyway) ! We’ll see how it holds up but I don’t expect a problem . Price isn’t too bad-$800/gallon
 
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