The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Newbie's First Paint Job -- BC/CC or Single Stage Urethane?

Getting ready to start tearing down my 1951 for a long overdue freshening. What's the best approach for a newbie's first paint job, BC/CC or Single Stage Urethane, and why?

Looking for a "forgiving" paint that's easy to use in the home shop.

Cheers,
mark.
51 3100

I personally like single stage. I like the shine better and if you get a scratch it is easier to touch up. I've done my last 3 cars with single stage and was dead set against it until the painter talked me into my first one about 10 years ago. Your going to get different opions on this subject and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. It's just preference. Cecil.........

i like the single stage remember it will look like what underneth get it smooth before painting get fish eye remover to add to the paint at least have it on hand it can be added to the last few coats and its saved a few paint jobs for me

I faced the same issue when I got ready to paint my 37. After reading and talking to numerous people I went with the single stage. Absolutely no regrets. This was my first auto paint job and it turned out super. One of the most reliable information sources I had was the owner operator of a local top end body shop. In our area, this is the shop you go to if you want the best of the very best auto body work. He said single stage. I also used the paint manufacturers web site to get all the tech sheets for their products and followed there instructions completely. I used Dupont. I haven't had to repair any paint/body stuff yet, but ease of repair and excellent finish are both good reasons to go single stage. Ralph

I just painted the inside of my 56. Single stage all the way. I spray a lot of Imron from Dupont. It has a very deep shine and it is very durable. The only thing I hate about it is all the garb I wear when I spray.

Jase

I thought I liked single stage better until I tried a good metallic flake BC/CC system on my motorcycle tank. The base coat went on very nicely, and the clearcoat flowed out and hid all the minor surface defects you get when you don't have a nice booth to paint in. I did get a run, but I was able to fix it without having to sand and repaint, because none of the pigments or flakes were in the clear, so the color doesn't change when you sand it.

I am stuck painting in fairly poor conditions, and I found the BC/CC system easier to clean the bugs and dust out of.

Unless you are just doing a very basic paint job, the BC/CC system is the way to go.

Cecil is right. You will get a lot of different opinions on this.
Here is my opinion.
I learned with single stage and still believe that it has its place. But if you have the time money and want the best results… BC/CC is the way to go.

BC/CC pros and cons:
1. Expensive (you basically are buying twice as much paint)
2. More shooting time
3. Better final results
4. Not great for jams and under the hood
5. Easier to repair
6. Easier for the novice to apply
7. Best for graphics and metallic
8. Easier to remove runs or orange peel.
9. If you want the “Show Car Appearance”

SS pros and cons:
1. Less expensive (no paint is cheap!)
2. Less time shooting
3. Great for jams and under the hood.
4. Not as good for repairs
5. When you’re done with the color, you’re done.
6. Great for daily driver


When I do a complete job and paint the jams, I buy both SS and BC/CC.
I’m no pro, but I do prefer the two stage.