DuPont, Color Blending

Special Basecoat Blending Procedures

Extra attention and some special techniques may be required to blend difficult colors, or to blend (fade) two colors into each other. The techniques below can be used for solid colors, metallics, pearls, and even tri-coats. These blending recommendations are fast, easy, durable, inexpensive, and require no extra products. They can be adjusted for the prevailing temperatures through selection of the appropriate Basemaker^®. There should be no impact on productivity, since the application is fast, with no flash, and the techniques keep a painter from having to work excessively hard to get an acceptable blend edge and color match.

Technique I

Note:
Use specifically for flop and halo-sensitive colors. Do not use for blending (fading) two colors.

• Reduce the basecoat 60-75% with a Basemaker^® slower than normal for the size of the job and for the ambient temperature. Example: for a small blend repair at 80°F, use 60-70% of 7185S rather than 100% of 7175S. (Remember to activate the base color with 12305S at 1 ounce Activator to 1 ready-to-spray quart of color, regardless of the reduction percent.)
• For optimum results, use smaller fluid tips (1.5mm or smaller) set to the lowest possible air pressure which still gives good atomization.
• Agitate ready-to-spray paint thoroughly, especially high metallics and pearls, and be sure to spray immediately after loading the gun. Do not allow paint to settle in the gun cup. Stir paint again between coats if necessary.
• Apply the base color carefully over properly prepared surfaces, and be sure to allow ample flash time between coats. The base color should dry to a dull finish before application of ChromaClear^® or ChromaPremierT Clear.

Technique II

• Make a Blender with 150K or Binder 62320F and the appropriate ChromaSystemT Basemaker^® at a ratio of 1:1 (150K/Basemaker^® = 1:1). When base color is to be activated, add 1 ounce of 12305S Activator to 1 ready-to-spray quart of Blender just before use.
• Mix ready-to-spray ChromaSystemT Basecoat color with the above Blender at a ratio of 1:1 up to 1:2 (Color/Blender = 1:1 up to 1:2).
• Use this mixture to step out the last coat or coats of color.
• Flash normally and clearcoat with ChromaClear^® or ChromaPremierT Clear.

Technique III

• Apply a normal coat of Midcoat Adhesion Promoter 222S on the area to be repaired.
• Make a Blender with 150K or Binder 62320F and the appropriate ChromaSystemT Basemaker^® at a ratio of 1:1 (150K/Basemaker^® = 1:1). When base color is to be activated, add 1 ounce of 12305S Activator to 1 ready-to-spray quart of Blender just before use.
• Apply one medium-wet coat of the Blender inside the edge of the 222S, keeping it wet.
• Follow with a normal application of ready-to-spray ChromaSystemT Basecoat color, staying inside the wet edge of the Blender.
• Flash the completed basecoat normally, and clearcoat with ChromaClear^® or ChromaPremierT Clear.

Tips for Success

• Application equipment does have an impact on the results. On tough blends, use a narrow fan (narrow blend edge), reduced fluid flow and atomizing air pressure just high enough to give sufficient breakup. Gravity and HLVP equipment usually perform better than siphon.
• More Blender can be applied between coats of color, but if the edge dries too fast, it is preferable to use a slower Basemaker^® in the Blender.