Is is ok to do two coats of the base Illusion Cherry before putting on the clear top coat? I'm doing a big lift kit that has some sharp edges so I'd like to do two base coats to make sure I have good coverage everywhere.

Absolutely! This method will help keep a consistent mil thickness across your entire project rather than trying to do it all at once. It's important to shoot for around 2-3mil total mil for both the base and top coat. This will help you obtain the same finish as our swatches.

Is Illusion cherry a two-step application process?

Correct, Illusion Cherry, as well as all of our other illusion colors are a two-step process which include spraying your base illusion color first following our application guide and then activating it with a clear.

When applying an Illusion color like Illusion Orange PMS-4620 can any clear coat be used as the Illusion top-coat?

Any Clear Coat or Top-Coat can be used as an Illusion top-coat. Keep in mind that the end result will be different than the on-line S-panel representation or the sample swatches that are shipped out for reference. These images and swatches have Clear Vision PPS-2974 applied. You can find examples of other top-coats used including tinted transparent top-coats on our website gallery and "creations" section.

Can an Illusion powder be applied over another illusion powder that has been clear coated and get the expected results?

Illusion series powders are designed to be applied directly over a metal substrate and then clear coated in order to achieve results shown on our website or swatch sample. Illusion series powders applied over a primer base or another color including an illusion coating with a clear coat can have have abnormal or unexpected results.

When applying an Illusion Series Powder, which of your clear coats can be applied to an Illusion Base?

The beauty of our Illusion series powder line-up is that you can be extra creative with any of our clear-coat finishes including Clear Vision PPS-2974 and Casper Clear PPS-4005, transparent top-coat finishes including Transparent Copper PPS-5162, Lollypop Red UPS-1506, Metallic Transparent top-coats like Metallic Clear PPB-6325 and even our clear coat metallics including the Frosted series, Rockstar series and ...Lights series including City Lights PMB-2689. It is very important that whichever top-coat you choose from our long list of available top-coats that you also download and follow the application guide that goes along with that coating. REMEMBER, cure timer should not start until the part metal reaches cure temperature.

How many lbs to coat 1 rim?

1 pound of powder should easily be enough to coat one rim as long as it is not something far larger than a standard size rim. Keep in mind, a single pound can cover at least 25-30 square feet.

What is the proper way to cure Illusion colors before applying Clear Vision PPS-2974? I've read a few contradicting things. Want to make sure i get the best results possible.

Illusion series should only be applied directly over substrate. There should be NO base coat under an illusion series powder. Apply powders cold. No need to hot flock. Apply your first coat and then bring to flow-out + 2 minutes (aka Gel-out). In other words, in about 3-5 minutes approx. the base coat will turn from a powder into a liquid looking coating, once this happens, add 2 minutes to your timer. After that flow-out + 2, pull and allow to cool. Apply your top coat. In this case, applying clear vision you will again apply cold (room temp) cover the base coat in a white powder. Place into the oven and follow the cure schedule for the Clear Vision. Which happens to be 375 degree F for 18 minutes. That 18 minute timer should not start until the THICKEST portion of your substrate reaches 375 degrees F. The curing of the clear coat will pull the underlying pigments to the surface giving you a brilliant color that you are looking for. Each coating should be around 3 mil thick. That is .003" thousandths of an inch not millimeter. There is a great video on our website for applying Illusion Malbec. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=NCRt5weNbew&feature=emb_logo

Can I use a super chrome USS-4482 as a base coat to lighten the color of an Illusion series powder or will it not make a difference.

Illusion Series powders should have no base coat underneath. A base coat used under an illusion series powder will alter the look of the Illusion series finish. Illusion series powders should be applied directly over substrate. I have applied a white base under a light Solid tone color like Neon Yellow (non-illusion) and have seen a slightly lighter final cured finish than compared to the same neon applied over bare steel blasted substrate.

My Illusion Cherry PMB-6905 I ordered did not turn out as expected and the the finish is more maroon/purple metallic silver mix. Am I missing a step?

All Illusion Series Powders require a top coat to reach their full color potential. The swatch samples we show on our website and the free swatch samples that are available to you are coated with Clear Vision PPS-2974. Illusion series powders require a flow-out + two minute base partial cure, allow to cool to room temperature then apply the desired top coat. At this point you will cure both the base Illusion and the top coat together based on the top coat's cure schedule. If choosing Clear Vision PPS-2974 then your cure temp is 375 degrees F. for 18 minutes. Your 18 minute timer does NOT start until the thickest part of the substrate reaches the required 375 degrees F.

Is illusion cherry single stage?

No, it does require the use of a clear top coat to activate the color.

After putting a clear coat over this color, should it be cured at 400° or 355° as the clear coat recommends?

Following the instructions listed on the application guide, the clear will need to cure for 18 minutes at 355F degrees once the part reaches temp.

Does Illusion Cherry require an additional top coat of clear for extreme environments, like wheels?

An additional coat of clear does increase overall durability however, it is not a requirement. In most cases the two coats (base + top) is sufficient for most environments.

We purchased this powder and it bled terribly after we applied the top coat. How can we stop the illusion powders from bleeding so bad?

Illusion powders are designed to bleed, that's pretty much how they work. It would be best for you to contact our Technical Support department at technicalsupport@prismaticpowders.com they may be able to assist you.