OK, almost ready to do the base coat...This will be my first time spraying a metallic...(grecian green) Is there an acceptable method for doing this for consistant coverage? Or should I just settle into any consistant pattern and strive to keep it the same, like I do with a solid color? I just dont want to get any wierd patterns or anything. Mist coat first then a couple heavier ones? Then a really light last coat Im told?? Will it keep getting darker the more I put on? It will be going over a gray colored sealer. Thanks, John

Ooo, my favorite color, I think it's the same as the green mist used in 1970. I'm planning on repainting my car myself sometime down the line. I'd be curious to see the replies to this, sorry I couldn't help.

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1970 Chevy Custom El Camino (http://www.dreamelectric.com)
Originally was & will be Green Mist & Silver w/Green Vinyl Top (now black/black)
350ci/300HP 4bbl & Dual Exhaust
TH-350 - 2.73 Posi Rear - Factory PS, PDB, PW, Tilt, A/C & More
My El Camino Home Page (http://www.dreamelectric.com/index.html)
Other Restorations -1969 Snowco Trailer (http://www.dreamelectric.com/Snowco.html) & 1967 Sears Custom 600 Tractor (http://www.dreamelectric.com/1967Sears.html)
Team Chevelle Member #995

Base coat (metallic and otherwise) needs to be sprayed on wet. Yes, the first coat should always be a little lighter, but subsequent coats should be full wet coats. If you make them too dry, the metallic will look 'grainy' under the clear.
Metallic base coats just have to be applied more meticulously than solid colors.
IF you have good coverage with 2-3 coats of the color metallic base, you can 'mist' on a final coat to even it out, but don't get too crazy and do multible light coats.
When I paint, I always tell myself, "Be a robot, paint like a robot". Keep it even as possible throughout. That's the mark of a true craftsman.

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MY 69 (http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/xchange/xchange.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=22&exact_match=on&photo_size=full)
My 65 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/JPs65frt.jpg)

Its also good to crossscoat the hood,roof and deck.By that i mean spray front to back on one caot,then side to side on the next.It helps elimate the stripe effect.And it is a good idea to fog the last coat to ensure the metallic lays down evenly.

Spray it on too wet and the metal flakes will sag. I do medium coats and fog the last 2 coats for coverage eveness. also the cross hatch pattern works really good as explained from above.

Thanks guys, thats what I figured I would do...sounds good to me. Jimmy P, thats the way I am too, Im going to try and do exactly the same thing to each area, same coverage, same motions, etc. There will be one change, I returned the sealer and decided to go with a tinted (green) urethane primer instead. I think that will produce a much better job in the long run. Hopefully it will cover a little easier too. I'll keep everyone posted how it comes out. John