How to Apply Lincoln Tri-coat Paint

Use a tri-coat coverage to create depth in the painted surface.

Lincoln cars use a tri-coat paint system consisting of three coats of paint: a base coat, a translucent mid-coat and a clear coat. When sprayed onto a vehicle, the tri-coat paint creates a paint covering that contains a level of depth not possible to produce with a traditional dual coat system. The mid-coat alters the base coat, blending the color slightly to produce a luster that the clear coat then enhances and protects. It's an advanced painting process that takes some practice beforehand, but the results can be spectacular, providing a beautiful paint job that lasts for years.

Things You'll Need

• 3 tri-coat paint kit

Instructions

1. Clean off the surface by washing it with a mild soap and water mix and a sponge. Wash off the soap with clean water and then pat the surface dry. Wet-sand the primer layer with a fine-grit sandpaper until smooth to the touch to prepare it for the tri-coat application. Wipe the surface with a tack cloth to remove any residue.

2. Mask off the area where you wish to apply the tri-coat by placing a strip of masking tape on the border of the painting surface. Make sure the tape is placed smoothly, with the tape flat against the surface to prevent any paint from passing beneath.

3. Apply the base coat of color onto the surface. Hold the spray can of paint 6 to 8 inches from the surface with the nozzle pointed directly at the vehicle. Press the nozzle to start the flow of paint. Move the can in a back and forth motion, covering the surface with the paint in overlapping lines to create even coverage. Make sure you keep the flow of paint moving constantly to avoid pools of paint or sags due to over-application. Allow the base coat of paint to dry for two hours then wet-sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to remove any imperfections.

4. Apply the mid-coat layer over the base coat. The mid-coat paint can has the number "2" marked on the label to identify it. Use the mid-coat sparingly, spraying on a light layer over the base until you reach the color desired. The purpose of the mid-coat is to provide depth to the base coat by altering the color slightly with the translucent color of the mid-coat paint. Allow the mid-coat two hours of drying time as well.

5. Cover the mid-coat with a clear coat layer to complete the tri-coat process. Spray the clear coat over the mid-coat as you did the other two layers, using a back and forth motion with overlapping lanes. The clear coat locks in the color created from the combination mid-coat and base coat while providing protection from normal wear and tear damage. Allow the clear coat 48 hours to dry before touching the surface of the vehicle.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the three-coat application on a piece of cardboard or plywood before applying it to your vehicle to get the feel of applying the coats to the desired color.

References

• Cycle Color: Tri-coats
• Autopaint Touchup: Tri-coat Repairs
• Collision Repair News: What is a Tri-coat Paint Job and How Do You Spray It?

Resources

• Welle Auto Supply: Tri-Coat Matching