Restoring a classic car is no easy task—it takes time, expertise, and the right materials. In this post, we’re following Jason Curry, aka PaintbyCurry, as he brings a weathered 1969 Camaro back to life. Using top-tier products from The Spray Source, like our Killshot Basecoat, Cadet Gray Basecoat, AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat, and Alpha Automotive Paint, Jason shows just how much of a difference the right tools can make. This transformation proves that with the right products, a classic restoration can truly shine!
Table Of Contents:
- Understanding Killshot Basecoat
- Applying Killshot: Tips from a Pro
- Achieving a Flawless Shine with AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat
- Accents and Perfection using Cadet Gray Basecoat
- Why Alpha Automotive Paint Products Stand Out
- Conclusion
Understanding Killshot Basecoat
Traditional candy paint jobs achieve their depth through separate layers: a reflective base, often silver or gold, then multiple coats of a transparent, tinted mid-coat (the candy), and finally clear coat. This method creates a deep, rich color as light passes through the candy layer, reflects off the base, and comes back through the candy, giving a 'wet' look. You can find more information on the intricacies of candy paints from various automotive painting resources online.
A candy basecoat, like Killshot, innovatively combines these elements, offering the candy mixture with metallic particles already incorporated. While it simplifies application compared to a true multi-stage candy, the depth effect can be slightly different. Killshot often provides a more direct shimmer combined with color, still offering a much more vibrant and dynamic finish than standard metallic basecoats.
This combination simplifies the process considerably. You can achieve that incredible candy appearance without the multiple, separate stages of a true candy application. The Spray Source collaborated with the car owner to develop Killshot, carefully going through samples to find the perfect shade.
For this Camaro, Killshot was applied over a black primer, a choice that helped achieve the deep, dramatic color visible in the final product. Killshot's translucency is a key characteristic; a black primer underneath absorbs more light, making the colored metallic flakes appear more prominent and giving the color a richer, darker hue. While it can be used over other base colors like silver or charcoal, a lighter base will significantly alter the final look, resulting in a brighter, less saturated version. The Spray Source website provides examples illustrating how base color affects these specialized paints.
Applying Killshot: Tips from a Pro
Jason shared some great tips for working with Killshot basecoat. Proper preparation is always important for any paint job. He final sanded the black primer with 800 grit sandpaper before applying the basecoat.
He did not need a full sealer coat over the primer, only performing some minor touch-ups on edges. He then sprayed the Killshot basecoat directly over the 800 grit scratches without any adhesion problems. This careful preparation contributed to the smooth final appearance.
Here's a critical point about Killshot: it contains coarse metallic, almost like a flake. Due to this, you absolutely cannot use a standard paint strainer when pouring it into your spray gun. The strainer will catch all those beautiful metallic particles, and your color will not turn out as intended.
To manage the coarse metallics, Jason keeps his spray gun upside down and shakes it frequently during application. This action stops the heavy metallics from settling in the gun's neck or cup, which would lead to an inconsistent finish. It is also good practice to stir the paint thoroughly in its container before pouring it into the gun's cup for the same reason.
You can observe how translucent the Killshot paint is, which explains why a black base works so effectively. Spraying it over a white or silver base would give a totally different, much brighter effect. The choice of base color really depends on the specific look you want to achieve.
For this particular deep red on the Camaro, Jason applied six coats of Killshot. He mentioned you might get good results with three or four coats for a different intensity. However, to get this specific saturated shade, five to six coats seemed to be the ideal number. After that point, applying more coats did not significantly change the color's depth or hue.
Applying six coats of a high-metallic basecoat like Killshot requires careful technique. Jason likely allowed adequate flash time between each coat, typically 10-15 minutes depending on shop conditions, to prevent solvent entrapment. For basecoats with heavy metallics, painters often use a gun pressure around 28-32 PSI at the gun (for HVLP systems) with a 50-75% overlap pattern to promote even metallic distribution and avoid mottling.
Six coats built up a bit of material on the surface. When you use heavy flake or coarse metallic and spray many coats, the basecoat can develop a texture. If this textured basecoat is not perfectly flat, your clear coat might look a bit uneven or 'tighten up' as it dries, because the clear shrinks slightly over that rough base. Killshot can exhibit this tendency if not applied with attention to smoothness.
Achieving a Flawless Shine with AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat
After the Killshot basecoat, Jason used AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat, one of the premium Alpha Automotive Paint Products. He put on three coats initially. After three days, as the clear dried and cured, he could see some of that texture from the heavy metallic base showing through faintly.
He gave the first clear coat layer a quick sand with 600 grit sandpaper to level it. Then he re-masked areas where needed and applied more clear coat. This flow coating process is often faster and yields better results than trying to aggressively sand and polish out imperfections from the initial clear application, especially over textured basecoats.
Getting the AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat to flow out perfectly took a little learning. Once he figured out the optimal settings and additives, it sprayed beautifully. If you're using Alpha's Glamour Clear, Jason suggests adding about 10% of a good quality slow reducer. This helps the clear coat stay wet longer, allowing it more time to level out and flow smoothly, particularly in warmer temperatures or when spraying large surfaces.
Using the correct type and amount of reducer is important. Too little reducer can make the clear too thick to spray well. Too much can reduce gloss or increase the risk of runs. The product data sheet recommended a 1.4mm spray gun tip.
Jason, however, prefers a 1.3mm tip for clear coats, as used in his WS400 spray gun. A smaller tip size can provide finer atomization if the clear's viscosity is properly adjusted. The clear was a bit thick at first, even when adjusting for temperature with a slow activator. Adding the reducer made the difference for achieving that perfect flow. The last set of parts he sprayed flowed out like glass, requiring very little subsequent polishing.
Accents and Perfection using Cadet Gray Basecoat
This 1969 Camaro didn't just get a stunning main color. It also features classic hockey stripes for an authentic muscle car look. These were done using Cadet Gray basecoat, another quality product from The Spray Source, complementing the main body color perfectly.
The Cadet Gray for the hockey stripes was applied after the Killshot basecoat had fully flashed. Precise masking using high-quality automotive tape was crucial for sharp, crisp lines. After spraying the Cadet Gray basecoat and allowing it to flash, the stripes were unmasked before the entire car, including the new stripes and the Killshot, was clear coated together.
The vibrant Killshot basecoat, the contrasting Cadet Gray basecoat for the stripes, the durable AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat, and other Alpha Automotive Paint Products truly brought this classic car to life. After applying the stripes and final clear, the whole car got a thorough polishing. Jason and his team meticulously wet-sanded everything, starting with 800 grit.
This initial sanding helped to eliminate any minor tape lines from the stripe application and level the clear coat. Then they worked their way up through progressively finer grits: 1000, 1500, 2000, and all the way to 3000 grit. Only then did they start the final machine polishing stages.
Why Alpha Automotive Paint Products Stand Out
Throughout this extensive 1969 Camaro project, Jason Curry utilized a full system of Alpha Automotive Paint Products. From the foundational primers used after bodywork to the stunning Killshot basecoat and the protective AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat, these materials played a significant part in the project's success. The ability to work with a system of compatible products can simplify the painting process and improve the quality of the outcome.
Using a complete paint system from a single manufacturer like Alpha Automotive Paint Products helps promote chemical compatibility between different layers. Primers, sealers, basecoats, and clear coats from the same product line are formulated to work together effectively. This reduces risks of common paint problems such as delamination, lifting, wrinkling, or poor color match that can sometimes occur when mixing products from different brands with incompatible chemistries.
Additionally, reputable paint manufacturers like Alpha Automotive Paint Products usually provide detailed technical data sheets (TDS) for each product. These documents offer specific instructions on mixing ratios, recommended gun settings, flash times, and drying times. Access to good technical support can also be very helpful for troubleshooting or getting advice, benefiting both professional painters and dedicated DIYers.
This project shows that with skilled application and top-notch products, you can achieve a show-car quality finish. Whether you are a professional shop owner or a committed home builder, selecting the right materials like Car Paint Kits and related supplies from Alpha Automotive Paint Products is a critical factor.
Conclusion
The transformation of this 1969 Camaro is truly inspiring. It highlights the incredible results you can get with careful work and quality supplies. Using premium Car Paint Kits, Killshot Basecoat, Cadet Gray basecoat, AC-4521 HS Glamour Clear Coat, and other Alpha Automotive Paint Products made a clear impact on the final outcome of this beautiful restoration.
Jason Curry's project demonstrates that achieving a stunning, durable finish is possible with detailed planning and precise application. It underscores the importance of choosing the right products for each specific step of the automotive painting job. The process of this Camaro, from a warped and imperfect body to a gleaming showpiece, is a testament to craftsmanship combined with superior paint technology.
