Question for you painters out there.

[bigkountry]

I am in the process of picking out the colors for my 81 K10. I have settled on a two tone, charcoal grey on top, copper on bottom with a baby blue strip seperating (about 1/2" wide). I am going to follow the body line with the baby blue strip.

My question is this, what color primer do I need to make the copper pop and bring the grey out a bit? I have a local store tha can get me anythign I need really (dupont, vera prime, etc.) I am assuming a light color primer? My plans are to take it down to bare metal, patch plate all the cancer.... fill and smooth, then prime.

Thanks for any advice.

Dirk

[VileZambonie]

If you have the base coat layed on correctly it shouldn't matter what primer color you use. Are you using base coat clear coat?

[Swims350]

Only thing I ever hear anyone say about bringing colors out is white sealer.

If you are going to bare metal you'll want some self etch or better yet epoxy primer to stop rust, once done use white sealer, then spray.

Now take note I've only heard the white sealer for making red's pop and orange's and yellows, should work on anything though.

[HAULIN IT]

Unless you are dealing with candies/transparents, when you have enough base coat on the vehicle, the color is the color. Light Gray would cover over best for the colors you have mentioned. The pearl in/on the color will have the biggest effect in the sunlight if your using a regular base/clear system. 

[Blazin]

I have always found in the past, if you want rich color, & hold out from your color. Tint or have the primer tinted with the color paint you are using. I think if you tint the primer the charcol color, then use a silver or white base under your copper would be your best bet.

[bigkountry]

Thanks for the tips everyone, this is my first rodeo with paint. I have a friend that does some real nice work on bikes, but his customers always prefer dark colors. I do have access to a nice paintbooth when it is time to spray (after hours though).

I thought I remembered something about different primer would make the hue change on colors so I was just checking to be sure.

I built everything on this truck and want to do the paint/body work as well to truly say I did it on my own...lol

Thanks again!

[Dragon]

If you are going for a Kandy,Pearl, or Metallic Copper instead of a Solid Copper, then a Silver or a Gold Base Color(Not a Primer) would help enhance the Brillance of the Copper.....

Same goes with the Charcoal, if it is a Kandy/Pearl/Metallic, then you would want a color that will enhance the Tone you are looking to achieve with it....   If your looking for a Charcoal on the Lighter side, then you go with a White Base Color...  If a Dark Charcoal is youre Desire, then a Black or a Dark Gray Base Coat would be you choice(The Gray effect would be slightly lighter than the Black), and the list goes on....

Now if you are Painting a Solid Color, as apposed to a Kandy/Metallic/Pearl, then the only reason to use a colored Primer under it, would be to hide any nicks or scratches that you recieve down the road...   A True Kandy/Pearl/Metallic finish or color is transparent, there for you would need a Base Color to enhance the Desired trait you are looking for.....  Solids are just that, a solid that won't allow light into it, beyond that of the surface(Kandy/Pearl/Metallics will absorb light, taking it into the color below, allowing it to reflect through, and enhancing it like a Glass Tint)....

[bigkountry]

I'm going to be using solid colors, don't want to sink the money into candy's or metallics, she will still be used as a truck. Eventually it will get some scratches form daily use on the farm, but this is my playtoy and I would  like it to look decent.

Thanks

[Dragon]

In that case, a color primer would only be good for making a scratch less aparent as stated before...  The Majority of Auto Manufacturers use primers for this very reason, and it helps the owner stall a bit before having to repaint to correct the damage....

Now with that said, talk to your Paint Supplier, you may even be able to get away with having a tint added to the color.. That will enhance the color just a bit more(Easy to do with any Paint, including a Single Stage), but ofcourse it will cost a little extra when the Color is being Mixed(Would make the color a Custom Mix, and a Supply Shop will add an Extra Charge, depending on the size of your Supply)....

[bigkountry]

Thanks, I'll ask them about it next time I am in there. I know about the custom mixing, I had the paint mixed up to paint the cowl hood on my 01 Silverado. Price was stupid on that one, seems I have one of the most expensive colrs of blue Chevy produced (Indigo Blue Metallic).

[Blazin]

I tint my own primer with single stage paint.

[static22]

I'm no painter but I asked a guy from PPG at a NSRA show and he said if you are doing a light metallic you may want to go with a slightly darker primer and/or sealer to help ensure you get good coverage on the metallic, in my case silver. He said the key to a good non modeled metallic is adequate coverage.   

[Blazin]

Modeled means light and dark areas. Coverage is not the most important part there. Even dispersing of the metallic is. Meaning good coverage but not to much material on the truck at one time. In other words if the paint is to heavy the metallic can flow around in it. Even heavier of coarse causes runs. Also consistant speed when spraying, correct spray pattern adjustment on the gun, & correct amount of over lap each pass.

[2502]

In that case, a color primer would only be good for making a scratch less aparent as stated before...  The Majority of Auto Manufacturers use primers for this very reason, and it helps the owner stall a bit before having to repaint to correct the damage....

Now with that said, talk to your Paint Supplier, you may even be able to get away with having a tint added to the color.. That will enhance the color just a bit more(Easy to do with any Paint, including a Single Stage), but ofcourse it will cost a little extra when the Color is being Mixed(Would make the color a Custom Mix, and a Supply Shop will add an Extra Charge, depending on the size of your Supply)....

sem sponsored me a while back, gave me their whole line of paints, primers flakes pearls and clears. what you could do is use a ground coat underneath your base to enhance your  color. their primer/sealers are tintable for that reason..

[bigkountry]

I am still a good way from painting, long hours from work has put a damper on my play time

Thanks to all for the tips and insight so far though, maybe with all your help I can turn out a decent paint job.