Single stage under hood?

[Nate S]

As I do the worst part of body work (removing trim) I’m pondering the under hood paint, trunk paint and door jambs. Thinking about going single stage in those areas and leaving the base / clear for the outer body. Ever done that? Seems like less of a PITA for those areas.

 

[69L48Z27]

What color?

Under hood is possible. Jambs not so much. You would need a hard break to join the two IMO.

Depending on color and metallics it could be hard to match. Hard lines and shadows help hide.

 

[BrianS]

A friend of mine is planning on doing that. He will use single stage in the trunk and other non visible locations and then go to 2 stage everywhere else. Probably not a bad route but like 69L48Z27 mentioned you would really need to be careful where you have hard breaks. Also at some point you have to ask is it really that cost effective? How much are you really saving in the grand scheme of things?

 

[64SF]

I did single stage in the engine bay....I guess depending on the color results can very. My color (a shade of silver) didn’t work as I had hoped. Sight color variation even using the same formula...as another said the metallic looks different. If I do another I’d go with base/clear.

 

[Kern Dog]

I have done this. It is cheaper and any difference in gloss is negligible. With metallics, color sanding is taboo so if you're spraying that, do your best to avoid orange peel.
New Dodges have NO clear coat in the hidden areas. Under the hood, the jambs and in the trunk are a matte finish. I've sprayed this way too. It looks a bit different but I like it.

 

[kiwigtx]

My GTX had all the hard to get places done in single stage, and the external panels in base/clear coat.

Not a problem if your painter is worth his salt. Nobody ever knew unless they were told...not even the fussiest of Concours Judges.

FC7, and not the slightest difference in tones or colour.

 

[gtx6970]

Just how good the painter is and the one who mixed the 2 paints are will make all the difference in the world

Ive done it on both metallics and solids. Never had an issue.
BUT, Ive always done door jams in the same paint as the exterior of the car

 

[eldubb440]

only if the match is perfect, I would just get plenty of base and run with it......