Painting Questions...PPG vs. DuPont...

Ok, I am having a friend re-spray a fender on my car. I have a silver 2000 Toyota Celica. He told me that I need to go and have a clear base coat matched, and he will prep, provide the primer, catalyst, and clear coat.


I have a few problems though...

1. The only paint I can get a hold of is DuPont, while my friend will be using PPG primer, catalyst, and clear coat. Will this work with the DuPont paint?

2. Another person told me not to get the clear base, but rather just a base since the rest of my car did not have clear mixed into the base. Does this make sense? Would adding clear to the base make the paint not match the rest of the car by being too shiny?

3. The same person also recommended that I buy Dupont Chroma Premeir and said that it's better than PPG. Is this true?

4. Is it also true that I will not need a value shade sealer if the fender is prepped with 1000 grit wetsand paper?

5. He also said that I will also need to get "a quart of Dupont Chroma Premeir basemaker reducer (you will need this to reduce the sliver) ."

Why exactly would I need to reduce the silver? Won't the place I'm buying the paint from do that in order to match the silver to the car? I'm not exactly sure what a basemaker reducer is or why I would need it.









If anyone could answer any of this, I would reallly appreciate it since I'm going to buy the paint tomorrow.


Thanks a lot.

1. Absolutely not. Never ever cross breed brands or types. It will create large disaster later on.

2. Use just a regular base, I dont know why you would use a clear base.

3. Its all based on opinion, I like PPG better than Dupont. Charlier Hutton likes Dupont better than PPG. So its all a matter of opinion.

4. Not sure.

5. If you use Dupont Chroma Premier for the silver you need that reducer to go with it.

6. Reducer "thins" the paint technically. If you dont reduce the paint then it will be too thick to spray.

That help?

1. Absolutely not. Never ever cross breed brands or types. It will create large disaster later on.

2. Use just a regular base, I dont know why you would use a clear base.

3. Its all based on opinion, I like PPG better than Dupont. Charlier Hutton likes Dupont better than PPG. So its all a matter of opinion.

4. Not sure.

5. If you use Dupont Chroma Premier for the silver you need that reducer to go with it.

6. Reducer "thins" the paint technically. If you dont reduce the paint then it will be too thick to spray.

That help?

Yes, it did.

Thank you.

So if I don't get the Chroma Premier, I won't need the reducer?

Also, will the place that mixes the paint let me know how much reducer and catalyst to use, or is there a general forumla for all paint?

Yes, it did.

Thank you.

So if I don't get the Chroma Premier, I won't need the reducer?

Also, will the place that mixes the paint let me know how much reducer and catalyst to use, or is there a general forumla for all paint?

With all paints you will need a reducer. Reducer in a sense is like paint thinner, but has a certain chemical makeup that combines with a certain paint to mix together and thinning the paint. Where as thinner gets on top and deteriorates. (NOTE: Never reduce paint with paint thinner! Paint thinner is for clean up/removal, not for paint adhesion)

The place that mixes your paint has the information and they can let you know. Theres a general formula, but I've just learned to eyeball it. Like measuring with a ruler, after time you know how long a piece is with out a ruler. So talk to the people at the store their, they will get you set up.

Great, thank you.


So whatever type of base coat I get, I should have them make a reducer that pertains to the certain type or brand of base coat that I'm getting?


For example, would 2 different types of Dupont paint (let's say their basic paint, and their Premeir line) use the same reducer, or do they each have their own reducer that is specific to each base?

Great, thank you.


So whatever type of base coat I get, I should have them make a reducer that pertains to the certain type or brand of base coat that I'm getting?


For example, would 2 different types of Dupont paint (let's say their basic paint, and their Premeir line) use the same reducer, or do they each have their own reducer that is specific to each base?

A lot of different paints require a certain reducer because of the makeup. That is to say, each paint has their reducer. The guys at your paint supply store should know exactly what you need...or at least their computer should.

That help?