Base Coat Blender: Essential Tool Or Unnecessary Extra? (2024)

A base coat blender is a blending agent used to reduce the pigment load of the base coat to enhance blending into the existing finish. It is used in the process of painting or respraying cars, and can be used to improve colour transition in higher-pigmented colours. It is also used in nail painting.

What is a base coat blender?

A base coat blender is a blending agent used to reduce the pigment load of the base coat. It is used to enhance the blending of the base coat into the existing finish. The base coat blender is tinted with an intermix base coat colour to improve the colour transition in higher pigmented colours.

Base coat blenders are used in car painting to achieve a smooth transition between the newly painted area and the existing finish. The blender is applied to the area that was damaged and primed, and then the base coat is applied. The painted area is then cleared, and the process is repeated until it looks perfect.

One example of a base coat blender is the Pro//BASE™ PB3001 3.5 VOC Basecoat Blender, which is used to reduce the pigment load of the Pro//BASE™ 3.5 VOC Basecoat. Another example is the Speedokote Automotive base coat 500 Color Blender, which is used to mix and apply powdered pearl and metal flake to car surfaces.

Base coat blenders can also be used in solvent-based painting, where they are applied to the area around the repair and then the base coat is sprayed, creating a fade-out effect. This technique can help to prevent a silver halo from forming at the edge of the fan pattern.

When is it necessary?

A base coat blender is necessary when you want to improve the colour transition in higher-pigmented colours. It is a blending agent that helps reduce the pigment load of the base coat and enhances blending into the existing finish.

For example, when repairing a specific area of a car panel, you would first paint the base in the area that was damaged and primed. Then, you would reduce your base coat with a blender (a clear base coat) and paint the area right outside the damaged area. You would repeat this process until it looks perfect.

A base coat blender is also useful when dealing with tricky colours, such as silvers and colours with a lot of silver in them. By laying a wet bed in the blend area and then applying the colour coat, you can avoid mottling and haloing, as the colour will land on a wet coat.

Additionally, when working with metallic base coats, a base coat blender can be used as a wet bed sealer and lock-down clear to ensure a smooth finish.

When is it unnecessary?

A base coat blender is unnecessary when you are painting a full car or a full panel. In this case, you are laying full wet coats of colour on the entire car or panel, so there is no need to blend the base coat.

Additionally, if you are using a water-based scheme, such as DeBeer, you may not need a base coat blender. This system is reported to be effortless to blend silvers and other challenging colours.

Furthermore, if you are working with a solvent, you may not need a base coat blender. One user reported that they were able to achieve a satisfactory result by starting on the damage and working each pass out further, and then mixing 50% base with 50% PPG 851 fade thinners and fanning that down back into the repair.

Finally, a base coat blender may not be necessary if you are working with a clear base coat. One user reported that they achieved better results by laying a wet bed in the blend area and then applying the colour coat so that it feathers onto the wet clear base. This prevented mottling and haloing.

How is it used?

A base coat blender is used to reduce the pigment load of the base coat to enhance blending into the existing finish. It is tinted with the intermix base coat colour to improve colour transition in higher pigmented colours.

To blend base coat, you will need to start by painting the base in the area that was damaged and primered, for example, the bottom door corner. Then, reduce your basecoat with a blender (a clear basecoat) and paint the area again, this time taking it out about four inches. Repeat this process until it looks perfect. Then, clear the whole panel and you're done.

Some people also use a clear base coat as a "wet bed blend". This involves clearing the base in one gun and having the colour in another. First, spray the full panel around the repair area with the clear base coat. Then, grab the colour and apply a colour coat, fanning the gun to fade out as normal. Let it flash, then do a second coat the same as the first. Then, do a wet bed and do your drop/effect coat to achieve the metallic orientation/layout. Let it dry fully and check with a sun gun.

You can also use a base coat blender to mix candies and carry flakes.

What are the alternatives?

While a base coat blender is not always necessary, there are several alternatives that can be used to achieve a similar effect. Here are some options:

• Blending Solvent: This method involves using a solvent-borne finish to blend the basecoat. It is important to follow the recommended safety precautions when working with solvents. The blending can be done outward or inward, with a slight arcing motion, but wrist flicking should be avoided.
• Optional Blend Mixture: A blend mixture, such as a blending agent or "wet bed," can be used as an optional step to assist in the blending process. These products are not mandatory, but they can help create a smoother transition between colours.
• Clear Coat Blender: A clear coat blender can be used to help blend the edges of the basecoat and create a seamless finish. There are many products available on the market, such as aerosol blenders or those that come in a quart or gallon size.
• Colour Matching: By selecting a colour chip that provides a blendable match or creating a spray-out card, you can ensure that the basecoat colour blends well with the surrounding area. This helps to create a smooth and uniform finish.
• Sanding and Preparation: Proper sanding and preparation of the existing coating outside the basecoat colour blend target area are crucial steps before applying a clear coat. This helps create a smooth surface for the clear coat to adhere to and ensures a high-quality finish.
• Tacking: Tacking the blend field area up to a panel edge is a recommended step after the blending process and before clear coat application. This helps to ensure a smooth and consistent finish.
• Allowance for Blend Field Area: When working with translucent, exotic, or special effect colours, it is important to allow for a minimum blend area of 12 inches, and for tri-coat and quad-coat colours, a minimum of 24 inches. This ensures that there is enough space to create a smooth transition between colours.

Frequently asked questions