Mix It, Blend It, Touch It Up

Hello, color connoisseurs!

Isn't it a bit of a marvel how a car's color can shimmer in the sunlight one moment and then seem entirely different under the shade? That's the magic of automotive paints for you – always keeping us on our toes. Now, we all chase that dream of the perfect color match, but let's be real: it's as elusive as a needle in a haystack.

Why Blending is Your Best Buddy

Most times, getting that spot-on color match is more about skillful blending than just slapping on paint. Why? Because every car carries its own history – a little sun here, a bit of rain there, and let's not forget the global journey from various manufacturing plants. And if you're working with pearls or metallics, well, you're playing in a whole new league of color complexity.

But here's the good news: a well-done blend can make even the keenest eye believe in your color match wizardry.

So, how do we pull off this visual sleight of hand?

Strategize Your Canvas: Before you start spraying, decide which panels are joining the blend fiesta. Side repairs get to dance with the adjacent panels, while trunks and hoods groove over the crowns for that light-bending stealth move.

*The crown is a prime location to hide transitions as the light reflects off of it at varying angles.

Play Detective: Grab your color retrieval tool to get the color code – we're fans of the Topaz Spectrophotometer – then hunt down that elusive color variant deck.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker: Find the variant that whispers "I'm the one" for the best blend-able match.

Spray Out Card Prep: Spray-out Cards or Let Down Panels are your dress rehearsal for the big show – don't skip it, especially with tri-coats, quad-coats and translucents.

*Lusid recommends never skipping this step.

Panel Pampering: Treat all panels to a good scuff. It preps the surface and keeps the dreaded peel-away at bay. Nobody likes delamination.

Prime Time: Whether you're team Lusid with our GSHADE primer - GTP210 or rocking another primer, make sure it's color-keyed to your masterpiece.

*If you are not using GShade Primer System, use the correct undercoat or groundcoat shade, found in the GenMix software, over all repaired areas prior to applying the basecoat.

Seal with a Stamp of Approval: Apply just enough sealer to cover the primer/surfacer area, then blend sealer edges to create a smooth transition by melting in the sealer edges using a blending solvent.

*You may also wait until the sealer has thoroughly dried and lightly scuff the sealer edges with a P800 grit sandpaper.

Lay Down the Wet Bed: Think of Lusid's S1918/S1918C Blending Agent as the basecoat's best friend, helping it settle in, especially when dealing with those pesky pearls and metallics.

*When applying the "Wet Bed", extend it just beyond the color blend. This step helps tremendously with blending, especially with pearls or metallic finishes.

Mix Master: Get that basecoat mix just right and mix according to product specifications. And if you're feeling adventurous, let S1918/S1918C join in for the final act.

***OPTIONAL: To achieve a better color transition when blending, mix the basecoat with S1918/S1918C on the final blend coat.

Ready, Aim, Spray: Keep your gun steady – no wild west duels here. Apply the first coat, keeping the gun 6 to 8 inches from the surface. Keep the gun aimed straight and do not flick your wrist. Coat should be applied Medium-Light.

Layer Like a Pro: Additional coats should be like a good conversation – overlapping but not overpowering. Apply additional Medium-Light coats at a 50% overlap and Let each one flash for 5-10 minutes.

*The basecoat should be matte and uniform before applying the next coat.

**Step each coat further than the previous to create an invisible blend.

The Drop Coat Finale: For metallics and pearls, this is your mic drop moment.

*A drop coat should be applied after the final color coat for all metallics and pearls.

Patience is a Virtue: Give it 20-30 minutes. You're looking for that matte, uniform look that says, "I'm ready for the clear."

Clear Coat Crown: Seal it all with a clear coat that says, "Perfection Master."

And just like that, you've turned a vehicle into a veritable Van Gogh. Step back, admire your work, and take a moment to bask in the glory of a job well done.

Until our next colorful adventure, keep those sprayers humming and your blends seamless.

As always, happy painting!

The Lusid Team