Took a job last month in Bakersfield that taught me a hard lesson about clear coat timelines.

Customer brought in a car they wanted painted, but I didn't ask when the body shop down the street had sprayed the base. Clear peeled right off because it hadn't cured long enough, and now I'm eating the cost to redo it. Any of you guys ask about that stuff before booking a job?

2 comments

2 Comments

robert_roberts2d ago

Yeah man, that's a rough way to learn it. I always ask who sprayed the base and when, if they can't give me a straight answer I'll test a small spot first with some thinner to see how it reacts. Saves you from having to eat the whole job when their shop screwed up the timing.

burns.richard2d ago

Did you ask the body shop what products they used? That's the first thing I do when a car comes in with fresh paint. I had a similar thing happen a few years ago and it taught me to ALWAYS check the cure times. Different clears have different windows, and if you don't know what's underneath you're gambling. I won't take a job unless I can talk to the guy who sprayed the base or see a receipt. That's just basic CYA for your own sanity.