Not that I'm anywhere near painting my car, but I am close to cutting in some parts and I like to plan well ahead. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to using different types of paints? I'm not speaking brand, but candy's, metallics, flat, etc. In the event of a scratch or minor fender bender, are any of these better to have in case of a repair? I am really partial to candy apple red, but am concerned about the longevity of it, and the ease of repair if needed. I read somewhere on here that metallics are real touchy to color sanding. Do metallics stand up better than candy's? My impression (and I'm probably wrong) of candy's is that they were more for show cars, and not your weekend warrior. Does anyone know of a metallic that closely resembles candy apple red, without the base/color/clear combo? As I read this back to myself, what started as a single question, turned into 20. Sorry. Any suggestions, as always, is appreciated.

For stone chip repairs solid single stage colors are hard to beat for repairability. Regular basecoat clearcoats offer the best repairability when blending is required. Tri coats or candy jobs are sometimes difficult with the non similar two color systems being the most difficult, such as gold or silver base with red candy etc. Some of the oem tricoat colors are fairly easy to repair usually with a common color on the base and mid, an example would be a red metalic base with a transparent red midcoat. I try to stay away from candies whenever possible for repairability reasons but some customers can't be persuaded :rolleyes:

Take a look at some Dodge colors, dodges have probably the best reds out there IMO.
If you want a nice candy color Dodge makes a nice little candy apple red OEM code PH2 called candy apple red.

This color is a tricoat color but its been converted to basecoat only formula. Meaning they've been able to match the color up without having to use a tinted midcoat, you just spray on the basecoat and then clear.

Last friday painted a 97 dodge painted this color, came out great, cant see any difference between the two. Done some other tricoat colors with this base only formula and they too turn out great.
Another nice tricoat color would be on a 03-04 Dodge stratus, color Inferno Red, it too has a base only formula.

This is using PPG, I know Dupont has converted some colors over to as well.

If the color has metallics then you REALLY need to skip SS paint and go with baseclear. If the color is a solid color then SS paint will do just fine.

Thanks for the help! I have noticed that color on the Dodges also. I remember seeing it on what I thought was an Intrepid. I also remember seeing a color like that on the 92/93ish Mustangs and also a few early to mid 90's Cadillac(sp?) STS's I think. Thanks for the paint codes....makes life a lot easier. Will the Dodge and Ford Mustang paints stick on my Chevelle, or just fall off when dried? tongue.gif