Mixing Gloss and Flat enamel paints

[Chevy II]

I am having trouble finding  the right color that I need for my build. I can get close, but the only color I can find is a semi-gloss enamel and I am wanting to have a gloss finish. Can I mix this semi-gloss enamel with a clear coat and end up with a gloss finish? I would mix them before spraying, and not clear coat the semi-gloss paint. Would it be better to spray the semi-gloss and then clear coat it?

Any help would be appreciated.

[gman]

You can easily paint the semi-gloss finish first, then clear coat to get the desired sheen. The results will be much more predictable than mixing the semi-gloss paint with clear gloss before applying it. Adding clear will reduce the opacity of the paint, which will likely require more coats and a bigger thickness of paint layer over the parts than just using a clear coat overtop the painted finish. You can get a pretty nice gloss finish with multiple coats of clear over a flat or semi-gloss base coat.

I have been using gloss, semi-gloss and flat clear coats over top of painted finishes for a number of years, to add some contrast that replicates the variety of finishes you will find on/in/underneath the average automobile. I have also mixed gloss and flat similarly-colored paints in different ratios to arrive at a certain level of sheen, but I find it better to keep the paint layers thin and get the final sheen using gloss, semi-gloss or flat clear top coat (depending on what kind of surface I am trying to simulate).

Sticking with paints and clear coats that are compatible with one another is best, regardless of what method you decide on.

[peteski]

Mixing liquid semigloss paint with gloss will never yield a fully glossy finish.  But if you apply the semigloss paint first, then after it is dry, apply clear, you should be able to achieve nice glossy finish.  Just make sure that the paints are compatible, so the bottom layer doesn't not wrinkle.