Single stage paint vs base/clear

I have seen quite a few members voicing concerns over Whether or not to purchase a non metallic Tacoma due to the single stage paint. I think the following link will serve to dispel some misconceptions floating around and hopefully help those concerned to make a confident and informed decision. Bottom line is both single stage and bc/cc paints have pros and cons. Sure a paint with cc will look nicer longer than a single stage assuming neither are properly maintained however a cc will show swirls far more easily. A single stage on the other hand can swirl (just not as easily) but will oxidize quickly if not cared for. The upside for single stage though is that oxidation is easily and permanently removed by a skilled detailer leaving the car as good or better than new. Now the same detailer can also remove swirls on a cc however, once a cc is truly shot your only option is respraying your car. Bottom line folks, wax with a quality carnauba (often) or synthetic (semi often), wash in between and your paint will last far longer than most people will own a car. Check out the following link for a better explanation.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...en-single-stage-paints-clear-coat-paints.html

 

Good info in that link. I had a White 2002 Tundra for 11 years before getting my Taco in 2013. I neglected the paint on the Tundra only washing it towards the end a few times a year. The paint was really oxidized. I made the decision to go with a Super White Taco but vowed this time I would do whatever it takes to keep the paint looking new for hopefully many years to come. My washing rituals and waxing have kept my paint swirl free and as glossy as the day I brought it home almost a year later.

 

And it will look like that for the life of your truck if you keep up on it! What kind of wax are you using? I used to do meguairs gold liquid or paste once a month until I discovered Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 at $40 a bottle it's far from cheap but I find it lasts a solid 3 months with just a few washes in between at which time I hit her with Meguairs Ultimate Quick Wax. Both the Wolfgang and Meguairs Ultimate are synthetics. I don't think Ill be going back to carnauba anytime soon.

 

Yeah I'm pretty sure any paint color you get is going to be a BC/CC. Nobody does single stage any more.

 

I use Meguiars Synthetic X-press spray wax. It is a dream to work with vs a carnuba wax. I don't think I'll ever go back to a carnuba wax again either. Thanks for the tip on the Wolfgang paint sealant I will definitely look into that. I don't mind spending the extra $$ on a good product.

 

The Super White is a single stage.

 

nice post OP. it's good to know what you're getting into with clear coat and single stage as far as maintenance and longevity.

 

You bet let me know what you think. Carnauba looks nice for the time it lasts on darker colors but on white I prefer the look of a synthetic

 

http://www.best-auto-detailing-tips.com/car-clear-coat.html

 

All of Toyotas solid colors are single stage, only metallic colors are base coat/clear coat.

 

And that's not the end of it, Barcellona Red is a tri-coat.

 

I hadn't heard that. I was concerned before buying my super white but 1 year in and she shines better than new with regular detailing

 

I wasn't aware until I needed to get some work done, then the estimates started coming in way high....

 

I remember Rolls Royce and Bentley using single stage paint back in the 90s. I think you'll be hard pressed to find a manufacturer these days that doesn't use clear coat.

 

I agree. Single stage indicates no clear coat, at least it did ten or so years ago. Do a test on your truck by simply using a mild cutting compound by hand, if the cloth has the colour of your truck on it you have a single stage paint. I'll be surprised if any of you come up with the colour of your paint on the cloth though. When I detailed exotics back in the day we would polish Rolls Royces and Bentleys by hand because they had single stage paints, using a polishing wheel would risk burning through to the primer - yes I've seen it happen.

 

Truth is European and American manufacturers use base/clear for their vehicles, Japan uses base/clear for metallic colors and single stage for solid colors even to this day. I deal with it every day, I work in a body shop paint department. Have so for 20 years. So yes single stage is still used in today's world. We only use base/clear to repair the cars, and the paint we use is not as good as what the manufacturer puts on.

 

well, I beg to differ bogginator, not to create an argument but I just went out a polished the side of my truck with the most aggressive rubbing compound I have with my Makita grinder/polisher and there was zero white paint on my polishing pad...unless there is something about single stage paints that has changed, I have a clear coat on my truck.

 

...could I possibly be confusing single stage paint with enamel paint.....? Shouldn't the paint come off, albeit a very minute amount, of the vehicle when polishing single stage non clear coated paints?

 

Did multiple quotes say it was 3 stage? I think that there MAY be a tricot variant but it's not necessary to spray it that way. Similiar to older hondas. We've painted multiple Barcelona reds and never had to spray the tricoat for colour match. ..

 

Yes, multiple places, one was Toyota, one was a respected shop closer to me. They both offered to spray as a two stage, but warned of possible mismatch as it aged.