guide coat

[tillman]

I have been watching a lot of guys painting their cars on here and after priming they spray it with black paint, almost like a fog .Some have called it a guide coat.What is this for?
Thanks
Tony

[GetMore]

After you apply the guide coat you block sand it again (lightly) and see where the block doesn't hit (remove the guide coat). These are low spots that you will need to fill in.

[Restomod]

Yep exactly

[tillman]

can I use rattle cans for this?

[GetMore]

Yes.

[dhutton]

3M makes a dry guide coat powder that is easy to use. You just apply it with the sponge applicator.

[manicmechanic]

3M makes a dry guide coat powder that is easy to use. You just apply it with the sponge applicator.

Isn't that stuff a little costly? How much do you get out of a can of it and about how much is it? Is there a drying time advantage to this vs the spray paint?

Thanks

[70TWO NOVA]

there is stuff that is made just for guide coating, but you can use any contrasting color rattle can, a flat paint works better because it dries faster than gloss and clogs the paper less.

[JRouche]

I used Evercoats rattle can guide coat. Great stuff and inexpensive. One can did my whole car. And its a powder when it dries, no gumminess. JR

Pic before and after guide coat.


Before


After


And after some block sanding

[ProdigyCustoms]

Use laquer for guide coats, won't clog. Walmart has white and black laquer cheap.

[MuscleRodz]

Isn't that stuff a little costly? How much do you get out of a can of it and about how much is it? Is there a drying time advantage to this vs the spray paint?

Thanks

A container of it will do a couple cars. I love it and won't ever use rattle cans again. Once you see how far it goes, it is cheap, you just pay for it all up front instead of $4 at a time.

[Happyfunballs]

I use a $.98 black rattle can from Walmart. Works fantastic.

[HOTRODSHOP]

yep the rattle can from walmart or evercoat rattle can guidecoat,,the 3m powder seems to smear and move around as you block,,i have used leftover old basecoat thinned down in a pinch

[BigBlockOlds]

I've bought SEM brand guide coat black that sounds like its the same stuff as the Evercoat brand. Dries almost immediately and comes off easily as well.

And I found out the hard way that you should use a lacquer based product and not enamel. The enamel will clog the paper so bad you won't get any sanding done. :(

[Riderz Cycle]

Have to agree with Frank and HFB another tip I always spray my guide coats (rattlecan) when the primer is still wet this way when the primer dries and bodywork shrinks the guide coats goes into any imperfection (sand scratches) and it is easier to see and sand out later JMO.....

[GM Muscle]

a trick i do is add a small amount of toner to my primer after each coat.. then i can really see how high or low the spot is. just like going from grey to a shade darker to a shade darker.. just a suggestion.. otherwise i prefer the dry guide coat..