Tricoat (Base/Mid/Clearcoat) Application Information

  • A Tricoat finish has become very popular. It consists of a basecoat of color, a midcoat of tinted clearcoat, followed by clearcoat. Tricoats can create a very deep, rich looking automotive finish and this is why they are so popular. However, repairing them is not so easy!
  • Basecoat Application:
    • Apply the basecoat as the main color coat.
    • Ensure thorough drying for at least a few hours before proceeding.
  • Midcoat Application:
    • Identify the midcoat spray can. The midcoat spray can label will have a check mark by the word “midcoat”.
    • Apply the midcoat in very thin coats. Practice on a non-essential area to master the technique. The midcoat is like a tinted clearcoat where it subtly changes the color of the basecoat. It will take some experimentation to find out exactly how much midcoat to apply over the basecoat to achieve the desired color.
  • Clearcoat Application:
    • Apply the clearcoat after the midcoat has dried thoroughly to achieve the desired color and finish.
  • Sanding and Smoothing:
    • Before the midcoat, ensure the primer and basecoat are sanded smooth.
    • Wet sand the primer before paint application.
    • If needed, smooth the basecoat with #1000 grit sandpaper or rubbing compound before applying the midcoat.
  • Additional Recommendations:
    • Practice the midcoat application off the vehicle first.
    • Consider professional application for challenging tricoat projects due to their complexity and cost when professionally repaired. Even an experienced automotive painter will find tricoats challenging.
    • We do not recommend using the paint pen or brush to apply a tricoat finish. Only use the pen or brush for very small areas and plan on spraying the area at a later date.