Just got back from the Daytona Turkey Run. We saw a lot of cars on Saturday. But there was one Chevy there, I think it was a '55, that had the most beautiful black paint job I think I've ever seen. Easily one of the best quality paint jobs I've ever seen. It was more than just being straight -- which of course it was. What do people do to get black to just reflect like a mirror? This thing was just stunning. I took a few pics but they're not developed yet, and I'm not sure but I'm fairly confident they won't do it justice.

So, what's the secret to Stop Traffic Black?

Ed.

First of all, the car HAS to be straight. When I did my last killer black paint job, I:

Over a straight car, apply two coats of single stage urethane and let dry over night.

Then wet sanded (blocked) that with 600. This shows a lot of sand scratches and minor waves. If need be, at this point, use a 2K primer to build or cover bad spots.

Apply another 2 coats. Let dry overnight.

Wet sand (blocked) with 800.

Then, another 2 coats. Wet sand with 1500-2000

Buff with 3M Perfect-It, then glaze.

This is how I did this particular paint job. I'm not saying this is how it should be done all of the time, but I tried this method after talking to a guy that does KILLER custom paint. It worked for me, but it's a lot of work.
Did you see a black 72 Camaro with Torque Thrusts at Bel Air plaza for sale? I painted that car.

Make it absolutly straight...
Then spray it with single stage urethane and let it dry...
Sand the orange peel out of it and spray a couple coats of clear over it...it looks very deep with the clear on it...
Sand the orange peel out of the clear and buff it...
The finish will end up looking like black glass

Black glass. That's the stuff. Awesome replies, thanks guys. If the pictures of that car come out, I'll post a link to them.
Thanks again.
Ed.