Has anyone ever used dupli color mirage?

[RandyP]

Never used spray bomb tri coats, but the real tri coat stuff has been around for ages. All it does is give a base, a mid coat that is mostly a heavy pearl color and then a clear. Allows massive flop and depending on colors used, amazing shade changes at different angles.

No matter what, it will look like it was painted from a spray can. As long as that is what you're after, it'll look cool. Looks like it is all lacquer, so you'd be able to wash it off pretty easy if you didn't like it. Would also require buffing and polishing to get a real gloss on it. Not sure if you've ever buffed on rattle can clear or not.... Not the most normal thing in the world.

In a nutshell, I could see using that stuff to do a grille or wheels or trim, but not an actual bumper or any sheet metal on your truck.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by RandyP

No matter what, it will look like it was painted from a spray can. As long as that is what you're after, it'll look cool. Looks like it is all lacquer, so you'd be able to wash it off pretty easy if you didn't like it. Would also require buffing and polishing to get a real gloss on it. Not sure if you've ever buffed on rattle can clear or not.... Not the most normal thing in the world.

I helped a friend paint his '32 Ford Roadster with black spray can lacquer. Once buffed out, the parts I helped with were beautiful.

Slonaker

[RandyP]

There is a night and day difference between keeping lacquer buffed up, and the initial buff, and using a newer urethane based product. You buff urethane due to dirt or orange peel, you buff lacquer to simply get a gloss. Most paint shops don't even have real compound anymore, don't need it.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by RandyP

There is a night and day difference between keeping lacquer buffed up, and the initial buff, and using a newer urethane based product. You buff urethane due to dirt or orange peel, you buff lacquer to simply get a gloss. Most paint shops don't even have real compound anymore, don't need it.

I'm not saying it is necessarily a good choice, just that lacquer from a spray can (that is what you said the product he asked about is...) doesn't always look bad. Lacquer is an old technology. It fades and chips easily, and requires constant maintenance. The benefits are that it is cheap, does not have isocyanates that will mess up your lungs or require you to buy expensive fresh air equipment, and it is easy to work with. That is why it is being pushed for do it yourself types.

Slonaker

[RandyP]

And take what I say with a big grain of salt, I have a serious dislike for rattle cans, always have. But I'm fortunate enough to have a shop with real equipment and product, so you can sorta see the reasoning. If you had a choice to eat with the formal dining utensils, or use paper plates and plastic forks... which would you choose?

[USSkoval]

Originally Posted by RandyP

And take what I say with a big grain of salt, I have a serious dislike for rattle cans, always have. But I'm fortunate enough to have a shop with real equipment and product, so you can sorta see the reasoning. If you had a choice to eat with the formal dining utensils, or use paper plates and plastic forks... which would you choose?

Lol, I've been at a body shop for years now and I love to spray paint stuff. Obviously though, I know where draw the line. And I like paper plates an plastic forks too

[Conundrum]

Originally Posted by RandyP

In a nutshell, I could see using that stuff to do a grille or wheels or trim, but not an actual bumper or any sheet metal on your truck.

I agree.
I used it to paint a welding helmet once, worked pretty good for that.