thackeral444
New member
I am sure this has been covered somewhere else but I couldnt find it. Is it a good idea to clear and wet sand before applying candy? I have heard it will make it look deeper.
Clear coat before candy?
- Thread starter thackeral444
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chopolds
Member
It's definitely not necessary, I've done dozens of cars without doing this. But I will say this, it does eliminate the little pools of candy that can give you tiny darker spots in the paint, if you do seal the metallic base first. I know this because when I do graphics over candy, I DO seal it first with clear, then wait a day or 2 and sand, then apply graphics and clear topcoat. I don't think it looks deeper, but it does get rid of the small dark spots.
If you do have too rough a finish on your basecoat, it would be a good idea to do this. Or if you use a large metalflake for a base.
If you do have too rough a finish on your basecoat, it would be a good idea to do this. Or if you use a large metalflake for a base.
thackeral444
New member
It sounds as though if price and time aren't an issue, then you might as well clear before candy. I will be using small metal flake over the base and before the candy-so I guess I will just clear and wet sand and see if it makes things a little easier. BTW it will be HOK Kandy Base Coat not Koncentrate.
chopolds
Member
Kandy basecoat is a whole different story. I would try a test piece first, before you waste your time. In my (very little) experience with KBC, I put it over a white base, and it wasn't very transparent. You might not be able to see much of the silver metallic under the coats of KBC. I know with 3-4 coats, it's pretty opaque.
But the issue with clear over base is...you have to be careful off your film thickness when doing candy jobs. You don't want to thick a paint build up happening. Adding a couple coats of clear can be kind of thick. Unless you use an intercoat clear, which has much less build.
But the issue with clear over base is...you have to be careful off your film thickness when doing candy jobs. You don't want to thick a paint build up happening. Adding a couple coats of clear can be kind of thick. Unless you use an intercoat clear, which has much less build.
thackeral444
New member
Good Advice. Thanks
If you are looking for a deep rich looking paint job do not use candy basecoat. I've always called this a painters cheater candy paint. This is not a true candy. this is your candy type paint but has pearl in it. this make is easier for a noooobie painter to do a candy job, but it's not a TRUE candy.
Candy is a clear with dye in it. You spray this over a base which give you that rich look.
having pearl in the candy midcoat just kills the depth since you are not actually seeing through that clear/dye coat.
Spray your base, coat of flake. then you can clear like chopolds says and you mentioned. Resand, then you can add your candy. BUT do it with a true candy. I like using the UK candies. I only use the KK on the smaller or spot jobs.
You can bypass that first clearing over the base and flake ONLY if you have a nice flat surface. Again like ChopOlds said if you have a spec of dirt or even a flake that is lying upright the candy will build around it thus giving you darker spots.
BUT if you do it with the KBC (fake candy), this will be a LITTLE more forgiving, but you'd lose your depth.
Candy is a clear with dye in it. You spray this over a base which give you that rich look.
having pearl in the candy midcoat just kills the depth since you are not actually seeing through that clear/dye coat.
Spray your base, coat of flake. then you can clear like chopolds says and you mentioned. Resand, then you can add your candy. BUT do it with a true candy. I like using the UK candies. I only use the KK on the smaller or spot jobs.
You can bypass that first clearing over the base and flake ONLY if you have a nice flat surface. Again like ChopOlds said if you have a spec of dirt or even a flake that is lying upright the candy will build around it thus giving you darker spots.
BUT if you do it with the KBC (fake candy), this will be a LITTLE more forgiving, but you'd lose your depth.
thackeral444
New member
I definitely understand TAZ, but I am definitely one of those guys they had in mind when they developed the KBC. I have thought about spraying a little KK over the KBC--but I am not sure. I have never sprayed kandy and am a little intimidated by it since I have a strict budget and cannot afford any f@*k-ups and do-overs. The KBC sounds like the best choice for my needs on this project. I think I will clear after the base and flakes just to make sure I have a really flat surface. Thanks for advice.
chopolds
Member
In one of the few times I used KBC, I think it was Pagan Gold, I was very disappointed in it's color, and it's look...lack of any kind of depth or transparency. While the owner was not as disappointed, I just HAD TO put a couple coats of real Candy Pagan Gold (UK, not KK, that's just a dye not paint) and it looked much better depth wise, but the color darkened up quite a bit.
Before I read ChopOlds post, and reading your post, I would suggest not adding the kk over the kbc, as CO mentioned, it will darken it.
I've always liked spraying the UK though because you can see the results of what it is your are doing quicker and better than the kk since it's glossy.
When spraying the UK, you just have to pretend you are spraying clearcoat, but you have to pay a little more attention to what and where you are applying it.
Also, since you haven't sprayed candy, I would suggest not using the flakes. Sometimes this just won't work out. Then you can bypass the middle clearcoat. This is up to you though.
You just have to make sure you apply your base fairly decent without any bigger dirt specs.
I've always liked spraying the UK though because you can see the results of what it is your are doing quicker and better than the kk since it's glossy.
When spraying the UK, you just have to pretend you are spraying clearcoat, but you have to pay a little more attention to what and where you are applying it.
Also, since you haven't sprayed candy, I would suggest not using the flakes. Sometimes this just won't work out. Then you can bypass the middle clearcoat. This is up to you though.
You just have to make sure you apply your base fairly decent without any bigger dirt specs.