OK paint experts, my understanding is that with 2-stage paint the base coat goes on pretty flat and the clear brings out the luster. What adverse affects would one encounter if you laid down the base coat and left off the clear clear giving the "rat rod" look?

I don't think the base was designed to deal with the elements. Why don't you get a single stage and use a "flattening" agent? I think that is how most rat rodders do it.

I asked my painter same question for underbody being done in body color when we doing my resto and got exactly same answer as above post. Single stage with flattener, base won't stand up FWIW

Don't even try it, the base coat will be ruined in a matter of days in the elements as mentioned above. It was not designed to be a topcoat and offers no protection. The flattening agents are pretty cool, anywhere from satin to matte, depending on the amount added.

Ever see those early to mid 90's chevy and ford trucks that had peeling paint, well thats what your car would look like!


PPG's 2060 flat clear.
If you want a metallic color kinda hard to spray even with a Single Stage paint.
But when using the baseclear system its more forgiving.