5 Best Single Stage Paint in 2022 (Review, Buying Guide and Tips)

Are you looking to get your automotive or other projects painted lightning fast? Are you a noob painter looking to get your paint job done in a jiffy in a single step?

For those looking for speed and efficiency in painting vehicles or other objects, single stage paints come as a godsend to save the day!

As the name suggests, these paints are all you need to complete painting your object without requiring the application of any topcoat. All you need to do is apply a layer or two of this paint over your primed surface and you’re done!

Hence, not only do you save the expensive costs of topcoats, but also the time and hassle of applying all the different coatings.

Hence, we are about to guide you through how to purchase the best single stage paint to simplify your life like never before!

Comparison Chart For Top 5 Single Stage Paints

Best Single Stage Paint Reviews

1. Dupli-Color BSP202 Brilliant Silver Metallic Paint Shop Finish System

In the shade of Brilliant Silver, this lacquer single stage paint comes in a 32-ounce can and is a great option for when you’re looking for a metallic finish on your project.

This paint requires no measuring and mixing as it is already reduced. Hence, it is ready to be sprayed on as soon as it’s out of the container. The product is effortless to spray on to your target surface and is a super-efficient choice t go far as there is no waiting time needed when recoating.

This single stage paint also dries very quickly, can be wet-sanded easily, providing you with a flawlessly finished project with an alluring metallic shine in no time! Just ensure that you prime your surface before painting and apply a top coat to seal in all the goodness for longevity.

One of the nicest things about this paint is the fact that is possesses the lowest levels of VOC of around just 0.82 pounds/gallon! This means it is safe to be used by anyone anywhere!

Pros:

• Required no mixing as the reducer comes mixed in already
• Can be used straight out of the can and dries up super-quick
• Lowest VOC content product you’d find with just 0.82 pounds/gallon
• Super-easy to use and no waiting time required when recoating
• Allows convenient and effortless wet sanding

Cons:

• Requires a clear top coat
• Not resistant to chemicals and might peel
• The silver color could be a little more metallic

Product Specialty:

Comes with the reducer mixed in already and can be used right out of the can. Lowest amount of VOCs with a level of just 0.82 pounds per gallon. Hence, a safe and legal choice anywhere. Great option for newbies as it is easy to apply, dries super-quick, and requires no waiting time for recoating.

2. High Gloss Jet Black 2K Acrylic Urethane – Single Stage Black Paint

This acrylic urethane single stage paint by Speedokote comes in a jet-black shade, providing an alluring high gloss finish.

This paint kit comes with a gallon of paint along with a 32-ounce can of activator and has a mixing ratio of 3:1. It means you need thrice the amount of paint for every portion of the activator.

The product provides a very even jet-black color on your target surface, making it look deliciously dark and mysterious in no time. With a VOC content below 2.8 pounds/gallon, it is a safe and legal choice everywhere and for all users regardless of whether you’re a pro or a newbie.

The paint is highly resistant to UV radiation. As a result, along with providing stellar cover and coverage, it also provides weatherproofing features, making it a great option for outdoor usage as well.

You’ll need no reducer when working with this paint, but an optional, suitable reducer can be mixed in at a 5% amount if you need it.  No topcoat is needed with this paint as it already is durable and glossy enough on its own, just how single stage paints should be.

Pros:

• High-gloss jet-black finish with very even coverage
• VOC content lower than 2.8 pounds/gallon
• Resistant to UV radiation and is hence suitable for outdoor usage
• Requires no reducers or topcoats
• Easy to apply and efficient

Cons:

• Can seem too thin in terms of consistency
• May require multiple coats to receive a flawless even coverage

Product Specialty:

Rich jet-black color with a high-gloss finish. Comes with an activator, requires no reducers, and no topcoat. Very safe to use and acceptable in all states of the US due to VOC levels lower than 2.8 pounds/gallon. Resistant to UV radiation-a must-have feature for any paint when painting something that will be exposed in the outdoors.

3. Speedokote SMR-207/211 – Single Stage Auto Paint

For those who love the color black, this is yet another impressive black single stage paint to go for that provides a luscious satin finish in a breeze!

This 2K urethane paint comes in a one-gallon can and includes a 32-ounce activator. Many users get confused about two components coming separately when shopping for single stage paint, but when the two are mixed together, you can apply the mixture in a single stage as you have been expecting.

The product possesses a relatively low VOC content of 4.8 pounds/gallon. But some states including California will not allow it as those states have lower VOC limits. The mixing ratio of the paint and hardener is 4:1, as in 4 cups of paint for every cup of hardener.

Once properly mixed, you are to receive superior adhesion and longevity of your paint job, followed by a fast drying time for efficiency. It is also resistant to UV rays, rubbing, solvents, chemicals, etc., hence, effectively prevents fading, chipping cracking, etc. while providing weatherproofing as well.

The paint is suitable for several spraying methods given that you use high-quality spraying guns with compliant tips measuring 1.3-1.4mm in diameter. Once painted properly, you are sure to end up with a satiny velvety finish that will last for a long time maintaining all its glory!

Pros:

• Low VOC content of 4.8 pounds/gallon
• Resistant to UV rays, solvents, and chemicals
• Provides weatherproofing features
• Rub resistance makes the paint seamless to polish
• Provides the same security that an additional single stage urethane top coat provides

Cons:

• VOC content is not acceptable in all states

Product Specialty:

Provides silky satin black finish, is easy to mix and apply, and is highly durable. Ability to combat UV rays, chemicals, and solvents makes it resistant to fading. Since the product is rub-resistant, polishing it is effortless as the paint won’t come off when polishing, unlike other paints. Highly protective as it provides the same security that an additional single stage urethane top coat provides.

4. This Restoration Shop (AE) Acrylic Enamel Auto Paint

This is a superb acrylic single stage enamel auto paint kit worth getting your hands on as it comes with a gallon of the paint itself, 0.473 liters, or 1 pint of a hardener of the same brand, 5 sticks for paint mixing, and 5 nylon strainers.

Hence, with this set by Restoration shop, you are all set to get mixing and painting your project in a jiffy!

Equipped with 190-micron screens, the included strainers are the ultimate hack to prevent fisheyes and orange peels in your paint job as they effectively catch any form of debris and dust, providing you perfectly smooth paint after straining.

 The product provides a high gloss finish on your target surface in the shade of winter white. With a VOC content of just 2.8 pounds/gallon, it is a safe choice to work with and is legal in all states of America.

This versatile product is not only a great choice for cars and bikes, but can also be used to paint marine transports such as boats, ships, fleets, and more! Feel free to even paint your factories for a color that lasts for ages to come regardless of hostile factory conditions.

The paint requires no reducer but you can of course use one separately if you desire. To make your life easier, it mentions the mixing ratio of the paint and hardener in an 8:1 ratio.

It is one of the most long-lasting single stage paints to opt for as not only is it resistant to fading caused by UV rays, but is also resistant against toxic solvents and chemicals, preventing chipping and cracking like a pro! All these stellar aspects, along with speedy drying-time, make this paint one winner of a choice indeed!

Pros:

• Comes with stirring sticks and high-quality strainers
• Doesn’t require reducers but you can add them if you want
• Resistant to fading, cracking, and chipping
• Low VOC content of 2.8 pounds/gallon
• Versatile single stage paint that can be used to paint automotive vehicles, marine vehicles, and even factories

Cons:

• May need several coats for full coverage
• The white color might not be as white as some users want

Product Specialty:

Full single stage paint kit that comes with strainers, stirring sticks and hardener, providing everything you’d need to mix butter-smooth paint. Possesses a low VOC content, making it safe and legal to be used anywhere. Highly resistant to not only UV rays but other toxic solvents and chemicals too. Usually requires np extra reducers to be mixed in.

5. High Gloss Bright White 2K Acrylic Urethane

This acrylic urethane single stage paint kit comes with a gallon of paint along with 32 ounces of activator, eliminating the need of buying one separately. Since the activator or the hardener, enhanced adhesion of the paint is ensured.

The product provides a high gloss finish in the shade of white, and provides super-fast performance with a cure time of just 8 hours!

If desired, you can easily mix it up with a suitable reducer at a 4:1 ratio. This means for every four parts of paint you’d need to mix in one part of the reducer. The product provides a stellar coverage within 3 layers of medium wet coatings and requires a flash drying of just 10 minutes before it’s ready for the next layer.

It is called a 2K paint as the activator boosts the durability, weatherproofing features, and shine of the paint. Thanks to its UV radiation resistance, your color remains protected and will not turn yellow over time, unlike most single stage paints.

This industry-standard product holds a steady performance at temperatures of up to 75-90⁰F, enabling you to work seamlessly even at humid and hot temperatures. The product is a convenient choice for spray painting as it can be used with HVLP spray guns. You thus get to spray within a pressure of 8-10 PSI through a 1.3-mm wide fluid tip.

Pros:

• Comes with an activator
• Enhanced adhesion with boosted durability and performance
• Resistant to UV rays, keeping vibrant color for longer
• High gloss finish with super-fast drying time
• Can be used even at high humidity and temperatures of around 75-90⁰F

Cons:

• Drying time might be too fast for newbies, resulting in uneven paint jobs with orange peels
• The consistency of the paint might seem too thin

Product Specialty:

Comes with an activator/hardener, saving you time and effort in searching for a suitable one. Great for outdoor use thanks to its UV resistance and high-temperature tolerance. With lightning-fast drying time, you’re ready to recoat within 10 minutes, resulting in your project being done in a flash!

How To Choose The Best Single Stage Paint? | Buying Guide

Type

There are several types of single stage paints that you’d find, each with its unique properties which are as follows:

Urethane: This is the most durable type of single stage you can go for, and naturally, is hence the most expensive choice.

Such paints possess superior resistance to fading and chipping, lasting you over even a decade! This type of paint is convenient to work with as well since they aren’t too runny and dry up pretty quickly. They can also be painted over any type of old paint.

Since it is an expensive choice, ensure that you are willing to commit to it as you cannot change your mind midway as you won’t be able to lacquer paint on top of urethanes.

It is also not a recommended choice for beginners as due to its fast-drying properties, it’s a tricky material to work with. When opting for urethanes, ensure that it’s not illegal in your state as the ones under the aliphatic polyurethane category are not legal in a few states.

Acrylic Enamel: These paints are a good choice when it comes to durability as they form a strong and durable shell all over your painted surface. These are available in both single and double stage paint categories but once again, are not an ideal choice for newbies.

This is because, for starters, it is very difficult to apply. Also, professionals have the necessary equipment that is used to bake the painted project which significantly boosts the durability of the paint to a whole new level.

Acrylic Lacquer: This was one of the most used paints for a certain period of time and is one of the topmost choices for a number of reasons.

Lacquer single stage paints are one of the easiest products to work with and provide a stellar degree of shine, looking extra shiny and eye-catching. But the drawback of this category of single stage paints is that they are not as durable since the color tends to fade away soon, especially under UV exposure.

They also tend to have a higher content of VOC-content, leading it to become illegal in some states of the United States due to their harmful effects on the people and environment.

Acrylic Urethane: If you’re in a dilemma between lacquer and enamel, seal the deal by settling for acrylic urethanes to enjoy the best of both.

With the durability of enamels and application convenience of lacquers, this is a winner deal for any purpose, including the fact that they are legal everywhere! The only catch with these is that they dry up uber-fast due to the presence of a unique catalyst, which means no coffee break for you as it’s game time as soon as you’re done mixing.

VOC Content

The level of Volatile Organic Compounds in these paints is one of the first things to consider when making your purchase.

This is because a high VOC content releases toxic fumes that are not only harmful to you and everyone around you but also to your environment.

Since these paints tend to have relatively higher levels of VOCs than topcoats do, they are sometimes the less preferred choice even though they are superior in terms of efficiency and cost. 

Hence, when on the search for a premium quality single stage paint, ensure that its VOC content is within an acceptable range or as low as possible. Generally, the standard limit of VOCs in most states of America is around 4.6 pounds/gallon. But when in Delaware, Indiana, or California, it is a much lower limit of around 2.8 pounds/gallon.

When working with single stage paints, ensure that you are wearing protective gear such as eye protection, gloves, head protection, respirator, aprons, etc.

If possible, directly wear industry-standard PPE for maximum protection when working large-scale jobs. Also, make sure to work in a safe, well-ventilated space away from children, pets, and unprotected users.

Polyurethane Level

Polyurethane is one of the main components used in single stage paints that caused most users to switch to this product from the good old enamel paint.

This is because the addition of this compound to single stage paints ensures enhanced durability in the outdoors against UV radiation. Another reason why these polyurethane-based paints took over is the fact that mixing in this compound causes the paint to adhere a whole lot better to your target surface.

What makes these paints more superior due to the addition of polyurethane is that it causes the paint to become rust-proof, further eliminating the need for a topcoat application.

Hence, in order to score the best of all worlds, get your hands on a model that comes with the highest levels of polyurethane.

Compliance With Top Coats

One of the perks of single stage paints is that due to their glossy and durable finish, there is no need of applying any topcoats.

But in the event that you do wish to boost the shine and durability with an additional topcoat, ensure that the paint of your choice is fit or compliant to receive top coats.

Cure Duration

Why are you opting for a single stage paint when you could go for any regular paint? To save money, hassle, and time, right?

So, try choosing a paint that comes with a short curing time as it will enable you to reapply a second or third coat faster and will provide you a finished product that is ready to use a whole lot sooner!

Overall Chemical And Physical Quality

If your manufacturer or seller allows, you can also try inspecting the overall chemical and physical quality of your targeted paint.

For example, check the consistency of the paint as it is a crucial aspect to consider if you’re intending to spray paint the product. Other aspects that you can look into include the pigmentation, depth in texture, the base ingredients used in the paint, etc.

When it comes to the finish, choose either metallic, satin, gloss, high gloss, pearl, etc. depending on your project type and preference.

Personal Research

While this is basically an all-in-one product that gets everything done in a single step, you are most likely to face a lot of hiccups with the application process and the quality of finish on your product if you’re going all-in with no knowledge.

For example, you’d need to know what can be mixed in these paints to ensure seamless application with a smooth finish. The majority of professionals will recommend adding in some reducer & hardener for this.

Now, this is something you wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t done any research whatsoever, which is why it is crucial that you do. Hence, it is strictly advised to conduct ample research of your own before getting your hands dirty in order to make the most of these paints.

Or else, chances are, you’d mess up big time as for example, your knowledge of basic buffing methods is not fit for single stage painted surfaces. Adding too much polisher may cause the secondary coats to peel off or directly expose the bare target surface.

Hence, it is always wise to gather as much knowledge as possible as not only will you have a better idea of which of these paints are the topmost, but you’ll also be able to apply them better.

How To Prevent Orange Peel In Single Stage Paint?

The term orange peel is used to describe a common painting issue that is caused by improper or incorrect painting methods.

Orange peel is basically an uneven or bumpy texture created on the painted surface due to paint not being applied correctly. Since the bumps or textures kind of look like the skin or peel of an orange, hence the name.

Now, when painting walls or ceilings, this texture is preferred, it is not a pleasant addition when painting cars, furniture, etc., or other projects when you desire a smooth, mirror-like finish.

When painting with single stage paint, orange peel can result for one or more of the reasons below:

• Improper mixing of reducer and other chemicals
• Thick paint consistency
• Spraying on too much product
• Shaking your paint
• Applying recoats before the previous layer has not dried up enough
• Unclean sprayer with old dried paint remaining inside, etc.
• Extreme humidity and abnormal temperature

These issues are quite simple, which can easily be avoided. If you want a finish as smooth as butter without any orange peel effect, here are some of the measures you can take:

• Mix in just the right amounts of reducer, polisher, hardener, etc.
• Thin down the paint for a smoother and more even coverage. Applying in thin layers will also speed up drying time in between coats.
• When mixing single stage paint, use a stirrer, don’t shake the paint container as it will create bubbles and possibly uneven mixing.
• Straining your paint before application is also a great way to smoothen the paint to remove bubbles and lumps.
• Before applying the next layer, allow ample time for the previous layer to dry up for maximum adherence.
• Clean your sprayer thoroughly to remove any old dried-up paint
• Store the paint in a cool dry place away from heat and humidity. Paint in such an environment as well as or else, it will mess up the process of how the single stage paint behaves or dries up.
• Don’t overspray or apply too much product at once. Try to spray evenly and thinly by keeping the sprayer away at a constant distance.
• You can try buffing up the surface to smoothen out the bumpy surface but it may dull the color a bit.
• Hence, finish off with a topcoat or sealer to brighten up the paint color and seal in the smoothness.

How To Fix Fish Eyes In Single Stage Paint?

The development of fish eyes or craters on the surface of your paint job is quite a common occurrence.

Fish eyes are called so because the due to contaminants getting stuck on your target surface below the paint layer cause weird holes to form on that painted surface. When contaminants such as oil, dirt, silicone, wax, etc. get stuck on the surface before panting, the paint forms an unpleasant texture or holes.

A couple more reasons why these may occur is due to the usage of reducers or thinners when you are supposed to go for a solvent cleaner and spray painting over surfaces that were repaired in the past with any product containing fisheye eliminator.

These holes appear to be white dots on the surface surrounded by the paint, making them look like fish eyes. As you can imagine, a bunch of fish eyes on your target surface is not the hottest look.

Prevention is better than cure. Hence, you should try to avoid the development of fish eyes on your surface when painting with not only single stage paints, but any type of paint.

The foolproof way of avoiding these craters is to thoroughly clean the surface before painting and between recoats, wearing gloves, and keeping your painting equipment clean.

Also, try to work in an area away from extreme moisture and oils. If possible, you can install an air-purifying filter system that keeps out moisture & oils, preventing surface contamination, thus resulting in no fisheye development.

In the event that a few fisheyes do end up developing, fortunately, they can be fixed but may require professional intervention.

Fixing fisheyes in single stage paint tends to be a little trickier than with regular paints. For small-scale occurrences, you can wet sand the target surface with a 600 or 1000 grit water sandpaper. Try feathering out as much as possible so that when painted over, the affected areas aren’t noticeable.

For dealing with largescale occurrence, you’d need to strip the entire paint layer of the affected regions. If not an expert, it’s ideal to leave this part to professionals for a seamless repair job.

1. How To Fix Fish Eyes In Wet Single Stage Paint?

• Remove the wet single stage paint film off the affected surface with an appropriate solvent.
• Clean the now bare surface thoroughly and refinish.
• Apply a fisheye eliminator product on the surface as recommended by a professional. This is because you cannot use a fisheye eliminator on the basecoat or undercoat paint.

Since single stage paints are a combo of basecoat and clearcoat, not all types can handle fisheye eliminator, especially metallic colors and pearl finishes. But some urethane single stages can handle it.

• Respray your paint and allow some time for the single stage paint to flash. Allowing paint to flash means waiting for enough time so that the solvents present in it evaporates away. If repainted too soon without allowing the paint to flash, the solvent layer will dissolve the next layer.
• Now, spray on the surface with your single stage paint with your sprayer at a mist setting.
• Check for any further fisheyes before recoating. 

2. How To Fix Fish Eyes In Dry Single Stage Paint?

For when your single stage paint has dried, wet sanding is the way to go if the damage is small scale. Sand the affected areas as smoothly as possible and feather them out properly so that the unevenness is not visible.

Since single stage paints don’t need topcoats, they might lose their shine due to the sanding. In that case, apply a topcoat to restore the shine and enjoy enhanced durability.

If the damage is too extensive, you should consider stripping off all the paint and start over with a clean slate.

How To Mix Single Stage Paint?

Mixing single stage paint is a crucial preparation that needs to be done right for optimum convenience of application, finish and durability.

Single stage paints usually consist of three components which are the paint itself, a reducer chemical that prevents orange peels by providing a thinner consistency, and a hardening chemical that aids faster curing and durable finish.

The usual ratio of these three items is 8:1:1, meaning for every 8 cups of paint, you’d need a cup of reducer and a cup of hardener, leaving you with a total of 10 cups of single stage paint.

This, of course, is not a fixed ratio but works as an initial guide. The ratio will differ slightly due to the type of paint, the brand of paint, the consistency you desire, the object you’re painting, the environment you’re painting in, etc., and other factors. For mixing single stage paint, the following are the items you’d need:

• Measuring cups
• Your desired paint
• An appropriate reducer that works with your paint type. For example, urethane paints work with Floetrol.
• A bucket
• A stirring stick for the paint
• A clear coat of your choice

Also, different categories of paint require different types and amounts of reducers and hardeners. Hence, consult your manufacturer or a professional to determine all these correctly. Once you have acquired all these, proceed to mix them with care as described below in order to enjoy a durable finish that not only lasts long but also looks pro!

• Check the label of your paint or manufacturer website or consult a professional to determine which reducer you need and what is the appropriate mixing ratio.
• Take your measuring cup and start by measuring your paint and pour the measured amount into the bucket. If you intend to mix an entire gallon of paint, note that the measurement of a gallon is equivalent to 128 ounces.
• Next, proceed to measure out the reducer. As mentioned before, choose the current type and ratio based on your type of paint. For example, for an 8:1:1 ratio, for one gallon of paint which is 128 ounces, you’ll need 16 ounces of reducer.
• In the same manner, carefully measure out your hardener or clear coat by keeping an eye on the ratio and add it to your bucket. You’ll now be left with around 160 ounces of paint mixture if you’re using a whole gallon of paint and following the 8:1:1 ratio.
• Do not shake the mixture as it will cause too many bubbles and will thus lead to the formation of orange peel on your surface. Gently but thoroughly mix the paint mixture with your stirring tool to ensure even distribution for 10-15 minutes.
• You are basically done with mixing your single stage paint. Simply filter it out for extra smoothness and get painting in no time!

How To Cut And Buff Single Stage Paint?

When working with single stage paint, since they already come with a clear coat mixed in that makes them glossy, buffing them up can be quite tricky.

Hence, when painting, take all the necessary steps to ensure the perfect paint consistency and application process so that you get the smoothest possible finish.

Now, some unevenness might still form on your painted surface which is very natural. In the case of single stage paint, it is advised to only buff up the affected areas as the sanding does dullen the gloss of the paint to some degree.

Even though it’s not needed, most users tend to apply a clear coat for an extra shine and security. So, if you need to buff up any surface, do so before applying your top coat.

In order to cut and buff single stage paint, you don’t have to wait too long to sand as the hardener in them speeds up their curing process and you’re good to go within 24 hours at max.

Both dry and wet sanding can be done on this paint but wet sanding is recommended as it boosts the efficiency of your sanding process while keeping your target surface clean.

Wet sanding also ensures that your sanding paper doesn’t get clogged too soon with all the sanded paint, maintaining maximum abrasion for effectiveness. You can also use a soap water mixture to keep your sanding paper wet for enhanced lubrication and abrasion.

When sanding, ensure that you do not cut through the painted surface too deep as if you do so, you’d reach and expose the primer layer. This will bring everything back to square one, needing you to paint your project all over again.

For small-scale buffing, you can wet sand by hand, whereas orbital sanders are better for large-scale buffs. The orbital sanding will also provide a smoother finish if you can have it in proper control.

During the sanding process, try to make linear sanding strokes with your paper as this will provide a smoother, mirrorlike finish than orbital strokes will.

Use a range of fine-grit sanding paper/disc within 800-3000 grits starting with the coarsest and finishing off with the finest while spraying water to dampen the sandpaper/disc/pad from time to time. Slowly changing the fineness of the sandpaper will provide a more flawlessly polished look.

Flat surfaces are easier to buff up but when sanding edges, do so with sanding paper by hand, not with sanding pads or disks. Even though it involves some elbow grease, but patience is key in achieving an impeccable finish. Use dilute soapy water in bulk for efficiency during this stage for efficiency.

The difference between a good paint job and a great paint job with a mirrorlike finish is determined by how well you perform the finishing touches which include repairs and buffing.

With patience and care, you can make your project look pro, and once you finish off with your desired clear coat (optional), it will look like a work of art in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What Is Single Stage Paint?

It is a type of paint that comes with everything added in so that you can directly paint them on over primed surfaces without needing a top coat.

This type of paint is super-efficient in terms of speed, convenience, and cost. Since they dry with a glossy shine that is also quite durable, there is no extra hassle of topcoats involved. All you need to do is apply them directly in two or three coats as necessary after priming, and then buff out the surface for the final result.

2) What Is The Difference Between Single Stage And 2 Stage Paint?

If proof lies in the pudding, then the difference between single stage and 2 stage paint lies in their name.

Single stage products require a single direct application over a primed surface and requires no topcoats as it already comes with the required chemicals mixed in for durability and also dries into a shiny finish.

When it comes to 2 stage paint, there are two steps involved. The first step is the application of a base color/paint that is applied on the target primed surface. it dries to provide a flat or matte finish. The second stage involves the application of a top coat which turns the base painted surface glossy and extra durable.

This difference makes the application of single stage paints faster and simpler, simultaneously cutting down costs significantly.

3) Does Single Stage Paint Need Clear Coat?

Single stage paints already come with activator and polyurethanes mixed in, eliminating the need for topcoats as they dry up to provide a shiny, durable finish on their own. For painting antique cars, for example, the extra shine is not a good look.

But there are no limitations if you want to further boost the durability and shine of these paints with a clear coat. Just ensure that the paint of your choice is suitable to have clear coats applied on before applying topcoats. 

4) How To Know If I Need To Use Reducers Or Thinners With Various Single Stage Paints?

if you’re using a urethane-based single stage paint, you must opt for mixing in a reducer in order to boost the consistency, flow, liquidity, and speed of the product. Thus, you’ll achieve a smooth, seamless finish. When painting with a lacquer-based paint, use a thinner.

5) Can You Match Single Stage Paints?

Matching single stage paints is difficult as they possess a lower amount of color pigments. They also don’t reflect light in the same manner as for regular paint as the clear coat material is already mixed in the whole paint evenly. These factors get in the way of matching colors and creating an exact match is virtually impossible.

As a result, these paints are not recommended for repair jobs as the repaired surface will stick out too prominently. So use them for painting a whole object.

Final Words

Single stage paints are not your regular paints, and hence require to be chosen carefully as you have just one go at getting the perfect paint job.

These paints are designed to make your life easier, summing up your painting process. When the right paint is chosen, it does a whole lot more than regular paints, saving time, money, effort, and extra hassle.

Now that you have gone through our complete guide, whether it’s for automotive purposes, marine vehicles, or even for painting factories or other outdoor projects, choosing the best single stage paint will hopefully no longer be a maze!