I’m in the process of preparing to flow coat some panels for my 1939 Ford Coupe project. I’m using PPG DC4000 clear. I finished the body where I applied 2 coats, sanded with 800 and applied two more coats. I had to stop after 2 initial coats to sand out some runs before applying the two more flow coats. The fenders I am working on have three coats and I have sanded them with 800 and I am ready to flow coat them as well. My question is, can I get away with one more flow coat if it goes on smooth or do I need to spray two more coats. I would like to keep the number of coats consistent with the body.

Bootlegger1939 wrote:I’m in the process of preparing to flow coat some panels for my 1939 Ford Coupe project. I’m using PPG DC4000 clear. I finished the body where I applied 2 coats, sanded with 800 and applied two more coats. I had to stop after 2 initial coats to sand out some runs before applying the two more flow coats. The fenders I am working on have three coats and I have sanded them with 800 and I am ready to flow coat them as well. My question is, can I get away with one more flow coat if it goes on smooth or do I need to spray two more coats. I would like to keep the number of coats consistent with the body.

dont over reduce your clear for the "flow coat" just mix normal and apply. it will slick its self out if you apply it correctly.

Will one additional coat suffice after sanding or do I need to spray two coats?

One coat is fine if you get coverage and like how it looks. I always get greedy and go for the 4th.

Be ware In my experience of flow coating its always the second coat after the initial two have been sanded out that your talking about doing wear Gravity always jumps up and bites me in the rear! every time.

If you go for that 4th make sure you let the first (3rd) flash off really good, let it get good and stringy to the touch b4 hitting it with the 4th. but watch out for letting flash off too much as well.

Its so Slick at that point Gravity will bite you.

Bootlegger1939 wrote:Will one additional coat suffice after sanding or do I need to spray two coats?

When re clearing the surface is pretty slick, i use a tack coat method on the first 2 coats than a full wet coat or 2 full wet coats depending on the job