Clear coat question

Was doing some reading online about paint on the tacomas and read that only the metallic paints have clearcoat on them my 13' TRD Sport is black.. So basically my paint is not protected with clearcoat.. Anyone know if there is any truth to this? If this is the case would waxing every other month protect the paint to where it won't look like shit in a couple years? Now that I think about it a lot of black tacos here in hawaii all have faded roofs and hoods!! FML!!!

 

Solid colors have clear mixed into the paint. It doesn't cover it like a top coat. Yes it will require more maintenance to keep it looking good.

 

Is it safe to polish with a porter cable DA polisher to remove scratches? I've done it once already with a fine polish and all seemed okay...

 

do this, get a bottle of rubbing compound and a lint free rag, pick a spot on the truck like the lower section of a bumper and rub the rubbing compound onto the area. if you see color on the rag then you have a one stage paint job, if you don't see color then you have a two stage paint job which is a base coat followed by a clear coat

 

Only if you know what you are doing. It is very easy to burn the paint or wear it thin.

 

Yeah, if you are not well experienced in polishing, I would leave the power tools to those who are. It is VERY easy to burn a paint job if a power polisher is not used properly. A good hand rubbing and polishing will still look great, and will have less chance of swirl marks as well.

As for your paint, as mentioned earlier you DO have a clear coat finish, it is just mixed in with the base as a single stage paint. The sprayer sprays on a coating once, and then as it dries the "clear coat" will have some migration to the surface. It is considered a "cheaper" paint job, as it only requires it to be sprayed on once, and you are done. Where a 2-stage paint job would consist of spraying on the color, then allow it to "flash" dry before coming back for multiple layers of the clear coat. Much better quality, and overall it looks better as well.

 

I know that superwhite is a single stage paint. I eventually had my 2006 repainted because it went flat... that and some damage from road debris. It looked much shinier after the repaint that it did when it was new, they 2 staged it the second time.

 

What year did they start the single stage paint job?

 

I will say this in my years of painting cars profesionaly there are some advantages to having a single stage paint job, especially if you are using a quality urethane paint.

if you go to buff out a car with a two stage paint job and the shooter at the body shop only put a few mil of clear on you have to take in account that after they shot it more than likely it was color sanded and buffed out which cuts into what ever the painter put on. That only leave the owner a few layers to work with and once you burn through the clear you will have to take it back and have them redo both stages due to that you have cut into the base coat.

with a single stage, at least when I did it, the actual thickness was double of a double stage because I knew there was no clear coat and that after a good cure there was going to be some color sanding and buffing done.

plus it is more cost effective to repair a single stage than it is as appose to a double stage.

if you are concerned about your paints thickness then go to a body shop and have them measure the thickness. Invest in some blue line tape to protect the edges, prop the hood up when buffing it so you don't burn its edges along with the fenders and take your time to not over heat the clear coat or the single stage paint

 

Consider yourself lucky. The clear over my Metallic Silver is garbage. Actually, the entire paint job is pretty horrible. I have clear coming off in patches and my truck is less than a year old. It's disgusting.

 

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On the Tacoma? 2nd gens have has single stage paint since the 2005 model.

You can have the same issues with a single stage though, if the painter didn't spray it on well, or if they used a low quality paint. I always prefer doing 2 stage paint because if you have any concerns about it, you can always do a light break-in with 2000 grit, then put on additional clear on top.

I have seen some painters do a single stage spray, then after letting it flash in the booth, come back with a couple coats of clear. Strange way of doing things, but the end result looked good. 90% of the paint job quality is going to be the prep, and the materials.

 

I fully agree 100%....in regards to the single stage with a clear, I have don't that before but it was on a classic that was never going to see a single mile on the road, towed to all the shows.

2000 grit is your friend, plus you don't have to worry about difference in colors if only shooting clear...what is a real pain to shoot are pearls and candies......but that's a whole new thread

 

Our super white was in a driver side collision before we got it. That side looks brand new, but the hood, roof and passenger side are flat as hell. I plan to get the whole truck repainted in a couple of years, if I decide to keep it.. Walmart doesn't have enough wax to make it shine again.

You're lucky. Go get it painted under warranty.

 

No, he specifically stated a DA polisher. It is impossible to burn the paint with a dual action buffer. The porter cable da buffer is great for learning to polish paint for that reason. Watch some YouTube videos and go for it with a quality compound.

Mike

 

Not impossible. I have one.

 

It is a 2013. Have you taken it back to the dealer for resolution?

 

Some would disagree. Myself included. Nothing is impossible. It is also possible to get too aggressive and thin the clear/paint.

 

I have a da buffer, just curious what compound/polish/wax you guys recommend. Also what pads for the buffer you guys are using.

Thanks

 

You are fine with the porter cable. It will take some effort to burn paint with one of the them. Keep the a good sealant on the Tacoma and you will be fine.

 

Is a plain ol $30 Craftsman buffer good enough to apply a coat of wax or will it cause swirl marks?