I googled "Dupont Chromabase" to be sure of my answer, since I'm more familiar with PPG products and terminology. I recommend you do that too.

It is base coat, as one would expect from the name. That means you must clear coat it. It requires what they call "basemaker" reducer. I doubt that it's the same thing as lacquer thinner. All the other brands I've used use a reducer that's much different from lacquer thinner and it's cheaper than premium lacquer thinner. It also requires a catalyst but I didn't catch the number.

Single stage urethane will be more expensive than base. No clearing required.

Single stage is good for solid colors without metallic - base/clear is the only way to go for metallic - some prefer base/clear for everything.

 

I have searched about this product but the paint company that sold it to me has me very confused. They told me this paint air dries and does not need a catalyst, plus you can reduce it with the lacquer thinner. Then I read online that is not true. They also told me this is for single stage paint as it is an older color for my 1956. I just want to mix it correctly before I spray it on.

 

I think you already know more than the company that sold it to you.

I don't know about Dupont - PPG has some bases that don't require catalyst, but there is optional catalyst for them. PPG also has base that uses "reactive reducer" which is reducer with catalyst in it. So you can see there's things on the market that can go with/without/optional.

If you don't get a reply here with an authoritative answer, I'd suggest you post your question at http://www.autobodystore.com in their forum. You will get a good answer there I'm sure. But I think the question has already been answered.

And one more thing, it doesn't matter whether it's an older color or not. If it's Chromabase, it's Chromabase - only the pigments to make the color vary - not the paint's chemistry, what reducer you need, or whether it needs to be cleared. Dupont does sell single stage urethane - but I forget the product designation.

 

That is a 2 stage paint, it will air dry pretty fast but must be coated with a urathane clear, no catalyst needed in the basecoat, catalyst in the clear though

 

What Blackie said. Don't thin with laq. thinner. Use basemaker.

 

I think the dupont single stage is called Chroma one, I used it one time on a race car but I still prefer the PPG base/clear coat.

 

hope this helps

what they sold you is base coat. ie chroma "base" it will air dry with laquer thinner but def not recommended. the basemaker, is actually a reducer/binding agent. it helps suspend the metallic particles( if this applies) and dry to a uniform finish. this does require clearcoat. if not clearcoated it will absorb moisture, and also stain. it is very easy to scratch in this form. if you want a single stage what you will want is chroma "one". o as one of the other member suggested, or an acrylic enamel.

chroma one is a single stage urethane. it is very durable and last long time with great shine. it has to be reduced and also uses a hardner.

There is also an acrylic enamel which is still durable but not as much as chroma one, and the shine an finish are not as good of quality.

laquer which your 56 was originally sprayed in is very hard to come by and was reduced with premium laquer thinner. it was easy to spray and used as many coats as you wanted for that deep glossy look.

hopefully this helps out some. please feel free to ask questions.

i was a certified ase master autobody tech and also a gm master tech for 10 years. before i had enough of the "business" and got into computers.
i do know paint and body but not really skilled as a metal fabricator. that is prostreets area of expertise.

 

I bought the paint at PaintScratch.com and the web-site stated their paints air dry. When you order you can specify if you want single stage paints then they will mix that for you. The paint can reads Chromabase and shows 1 part paint to 1 part base maker. The Dupont sheet also said you can add 1 ounce of Chroma Premier 12305S activtor to quart mixture. Will adding the activator make it stronger? I was not planning to clear coat it but now I guess I will have to.

 

ading the activator allows it to harden rather than just air drying. there was a problem with using chromapremier clear over chromabase a few years ago if you didnt add the activator the clear wouldnt adhere properly. haven't seen that problem in a long while.

 

Is there a good online source that sells DuPont products?

 

I have had some problems adding the activator in with the paint if you wait just a little to long to recoat with clear it will end up with a peel of the clearcoat, I would recommend not to use the activator

I know that Dupont has recalled there 7779S clear and they wont say why,and they told me this just after I cleared my car

As for buying online you should look into your area or close by and get it there

If its clear you want you can use a multiple of different urethane clears but its always best to try and stick with the same brand

 

There are so many clears to choose from. 72200S, 72500S, 72600S and then there are G2-4500S, G2-4700S etc. Which one would be best for a first time painter spraying in his garage?