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Saggs
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Joined: December 23, 2003
Posts: 681
Location: Lincolnton, NC
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 Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2025 11:47 am Post subject: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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Looking to paint my 67 westy soon. Using SPI products. I have the epoxy primer and 2k primer. A few local painters recommended going with a single stage top coat vs the base and clear method. I have done all the metal and body work and have sprayed primers before. Im looking at a Pampas Green with color change at belt line.
Any thoughts? Spray upper half then lower half?
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viiking
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Joined: May 10, 2013
Posts: 3428
Location: Sydney Australia
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| Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2025 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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It depends on what you want from the paint. Originality, functionality, ease of DIY application?
I've seen lots of VW at shows (mainly Beetles but also buses) that have been painted in BC/CC and they look "unnatural". That is, the finish is just too shiny.
Most repair shops tend to only want to paint in BC/CC because that is how their business is set up. For the DIY'er the issue of iso-cyanate poisoning is a big deal so unless you have the right PPE and most importantly the ventilation system set up, it's a no goer particularly in urban areas. If you live in the country then may not be as big an issue so long as the PPE is right.
So for what it is worth, I'd be going down the route of using non-isocyanate formulas in my top coats. I'm sure others will disagree.
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3 |
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jspbtown
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Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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| I agree with viiking. Its 100% based on what toy want to achieve |
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Saggs
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Joined: December 23, 2003
Posts: 681
Location: Lincolnton, NC
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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Thanks for the advice. So which of the two is more dangerous? I couldnt tell from your posting. I do agree with the added gloss that CC leaves vs the original laquer that was used. By VW.
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Bobs67vwagen
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Joined: March 27, 2005
Posts: 859
Location: Eastern north carolina
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| Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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| They are all dangerous and I think the base coat and urethane clear coat systems are probably the most toxic. I have only used lacquer and acrylic enamel on at home repaints and they both offer good results. Lacquer is not durable so I do not use that anymore. Acrylic enamel if you can get it will get you a similar appearance to original. I painted my bug and bmw 2002 with it and the results were good. You can lay it on in several coats and then wet sand in gradually finer increments to get the smoothness you want and get rid of orange peel. You need a good quality respirator to shoot it as it is hazardous but not to the extreme of the more advanced systems. I painted outside on warm low humidity days. |
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viiking
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Joined: May 10, 2013
Posts: 3428
Location: Sydney Australia
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| Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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| Saggs wrote: |
| Thanks for the advice. So which of the two is more dangerous |
You really do need to check the Safety Data Sheet for any of the products you are using. If it doesn't tell you, then you need to contact the manufacturer and ask them. If they cannot or will not tell you, go elsewhere.
All paints are bad for you. The solvents are bad for you and the more exposed you are to these the worse the issue can become. You must use a new and fresh respirator. Respirators have a useful life. Once the media is contaminated they must be replaced. Sometimes the useful life can be a few short hours only even if they are just sitting in the workshop. They are still absorbing odours and chemicals.
Iso-cyanates are particularly bad as "normal" respirators (e.g. half-face dual cartridge) are not very good at filtering out the dangerous components. You should really be using a fresh-air feed full head protection suit. It can be absorbed via the eyes and through the skin. I often see videos of people using a respirator but with no goggles and wearing a short sleeved shirt and shorts.
The issue with iso-cyanates is that they can induce sometimes serious asthma like breathing difficulties. Sometimes not immediate but once induced can occur after repeated exposures.
Generally epoxies are iso-free (but still need respirators) and some 2K activators will be iso as well.
My understanding is that depending on the manufacturer the clear coats are the ones to be most worried about.
In any case, whatever paint system you use, you MUST take the precautions that the manufacturer mandates. I believe that well-meaning people on blogs who say it is OK to set up a couple of box fans and some plastic sheeting in a garage with a furnace filter and spray BC/CC just using a half-face respirator are doing a dis-service to the rest of us. Even if you can exhaust the fumes, where are they going? Next door neighbour's kids playing in the front yard? The old veteran with breathing difficulties across the street? OK. If you are in the country and neighbours far away, you might get away with spraying in the open.
For more information you should check out some blogs. I believe the Southern Polyurethanes one is a good one. However remember that information given in one forum for a particular generically worded "epoxy" or "primer" or "clear coat" may not be correct for another manufacturer's product. In other words you HAVE to do the research.
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3 |
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Saggs
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Joined: December 23, 2003
Posts: 681
Location: Lincolnton, NC
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| Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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Great advice guys thanks for the information. I’ll probably be uding a single stage with no CC. Ive got good air flow in and out of my shop and will be using a full face respirator and suit. Will definately be reading the msds sheets before using. Thanks again
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jspbtown
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Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 5265
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2025 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Single stage or BC/CC for diy bus project |
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Be sure to read the info on the respirator you plan to use. They will state what they are designed for.
And yes....watch the humidity levels.
www.autobodytoolmart.com is an excellent resource and clearly outlines what respirators are required for different tasks. |
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