There are several factors that go into a great paint job. They all start from the beginning with sanding and cleaning and making everything have the smothes finsih possible by using the correct grades of snad paper on the correct cleaners. Most the products you can get at a local Automotive paint supply store or even a Autoparts store like the one I work at Napa in Ft collins that has a paint division (automotive Paints)

The other key is the Type and quality of the paint that you use as well as the methoud its applied, time its applied in as well as the enviroment you do it in. The keys are that not all primers and paint or clears will like each other and can cause fisheye (most the times caused by contamination and not a clean surface) They can cause wrinkling of the paint and primer and many other things. You want to try to use unified products suchj as Acrylic Enamel Pimers with The same paints and clears. Same goes for Lacquer based paints. mixing them is normally bad. Also in a clean envirment such as a automotive paint booth is the best palce. Or a place where dust is not floating and blowing around. never sand and paint in the same areas. be sure to celan every process with a good automotive body and paint spray on cleaner degreaser, wax remover. Wear Latex or Nitrile gloves when handling as o not get your bodies oils on the surface. Sand inbetween the proper steps with the correct grits. If you need to use a Primer that is a high build to fill in some scratches do so then sand it down to remove the majority of the primer but fill the scratches. Then primer with a light compatible primer. Its best to also use a Actual Automotive paint gun then cans as can pressures vary as well as spray pattern and material consitancy. use a basecoat and clear coat system that uses a activator and hardener. Be sure to let parts cure apropriatly between the stages so not to have a build up of solvents that can cause problems with upper layers you will put down. Be sure to spray paint in a correct mannor. Flowing the paint to where it needs to go and overlapping the parts to get good coverage at the right distance from the pieces. better to go a little light ( not like really light) and have to cover it again with another pass or 2 to get the paint on but thats better then to heavy and running it. Other things to take into effect are Tempurature of the parts and the air and paint. Use the right solvents and curing agents for those temps slow med fast..... Then after clear coating (by the way a higer dollar compatible clear will make a big difference) you can wet sand the clear with 1000 to 2000 grit and then use a buffing compound for finish polishing to bring out an amazing shine.. Thats about it. Now it seems pretty complex and a pain but the end result is very worth it to me. But it also helps to have that experince with the work the supplies and paint as well as the tools and the place to do it in. But If you only knew how i felt about painting and making it look good you know thats why I belive in all this. Just my thoughts!!

You might also try googling mirror finishes, I found lots of great tips and plenty of testimonials about how it doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg--of course you want to do custom car quality candys, flakes, or pearls, peel the wallet open. Some of those paints are over 100 bucks a pint IIRC. Don't waste your time with clear coats from the orange demon, absolutely need a good 2 part. Theres a good paint auto paint shop on ralston near Simms, sell the really good stuff,(name is MasterCraft maybe) and can often make up spray cans if you don't have a sprayer and compressed air source. For the clear coats, its like epoxy with various pot times and you need the right equipment--Con, correct me if I'm wrong.
J

Your pretty on the money with the clear coats part. Now fortunatly for me I do work at a place that mixes, Sells and deals with lots of custom Paints as well as standard stuff. Im not sure where K9Tim is from but if your anywhere near fort collins I work at the Napa auto parts store on Link lane We have a paint dept that I work in as well and we can mix and match and even put it into areosal cans and do from touch up to gallons. We carry lots of stuff including House Of Kolor paints. We have air brushes and all sorts of stuff.(if youve never been to our store its also the largest Napa in colorado thats not a distribution center. We also have a Training center where painters are given courses by top notch pros and instructed on technich and products and all sorts of stuff. Its all hands on with a large updraft vented both that has a high temp bake function to cure paint.

constevens, do you do mail order? I've been using House of Kolor paints and just getting them on line.

Doug

Awesome replies! Thanks guys!
Con, I actually have a can of crystal clear that I had mixed up at my local NAPA for my vette that I was going to use.

Tons of info posted and I really appreciate it guys. I'm pretty psyched to get the paint on the bird and am going to do some photoshop work next week to figure out a scheme.

I think most important is taking my time and not getting impatient.

BTW> who is the orange demon? Is that AutoZone by chance?

constevens, do you do mail order? I've been using House of Kolor paints and just getting them on line.

Doug

We havent yet BUT im sure there is always a possibillity. Just let me know what paint codes you want and I will check to see if your pricing is better or same or whatever then you pay now.

Con,
You guys carry PPG?
J

No PPG. Martin Senior is our main brand. Just a Lil FYI. About 60 percent of the PPG formulag engineers and chemist and all those that made PPG the pait it was are now working for Martin Senior. I have use the MS brand and the PPG brand and would say that the MS brand is now far superior to PPG.

I mostly use PPG paints and clear coat. Only reason is the local paint seller mostly sells that brand... along with House of Color. VERY Expensive stuff.

Warren

No PPG. Martin Senior is our main brand. Just a Lil FYI. About 60 percent of the PPG formulag engineers and chemist and all those that made PPG the pait it was are now working for Martin Senior. I have use the MS brand and the PPG brand and would say that the MS brand is now far superior to PPG.

Con,

Great info, yea the stuff is expensive but they had some pearl orange to die fo--but I couldn't gut out the $130/pt (or qt smallest amt they would mix) price.

JS

Doug,
Orange demon is Home Depot in these parts,
J

Just Found out today that Martin Senior is comming with a new line of paint. Its called Planet Color. Its every bit what House of Kolors is and possibly more. candy's and Marblizing and color change... Cant wait to see it.

sounds great--keep us posted!
John S

It is really easy to get a perfect, enviable finish every time! I'm going to hire Scott Harless to paint mine 😆