Guide coat

[racrguy]

I've got a question for you guys who paint cars for a living, after I spray the primer can I go over it with a light coat of black spray paint to use as a guide coat after the flash time of the primer or will the two types of paint react with one another?

[kennybo]

Spray paint should not be used. The chemical can react and it is a poor way of doing it. Your best bet is to get what is known as a "dry guide coat." It is a black powder that you can apply with an applicator over the primer. It is much more accurate and make less of a mess.

[Mark Preus]

You can do it just let the primer flash off for a good while before you lightly spray it on there.

[sickpony]

Regular spray paint will gum up the sandpaper sem trimblack in a fine mist coat will do the trick. I don't use a guide coat anymore cuz I'm so awesome....lol. The dry 3m graphite looking guidecoat is good also but I have always preferred The trim black spray can

[racrguy]

Thanks fellas. I'm going to buy a small amount of black base that I can use as a guide coat and turn the gun way down.

[sdun]

Sem makes guide coat in a spray can. It's more of a dye and dries nearly instant. The powder is ok but can be messy. I had a healper spill some on the headliner of a saab convertable top(top was down). The headliner had to be replaced. $900.00

[onjacks]

Shrewin Williams make a 2k primer that finishes out glossy. No guide coat needed. Low spots will stay shiny.