What is the definition of paint job?

[DukeRimmer]

Some seem to think they’re done when the undercoat is no longer visible. This saves a few bucks on material, and the spraying environment does not need to be as clean. Sooner or later, however, the top coat will thin by oxidation, and or polishing, until you can see through the color to the undercoat or even the metal. This is the preferred method of used car sellers and racers.

If you are keeping the car long term and or like a mirror finish, you must use much more material. The mirror finish that is so pleasant to the eye is accomplished by color sanding, compounding, and polishing. This step puts a quart or more of your top coat on the floor in the form of sanding dust if you remove all the orange peel. You can scuff off the dust that is caught in the wet paint with ultra fine wet sand paper and call it color sanding, but spending more on material, and taking two days to remove orange peel is so much more satisfying. If you have a clean spraying environment, and are taking the time to make the car straight by block sanding the undercoats, use 4-5 quarts of top coat and get rid of that orange peel.

[esty]

that applies to a single stage paint job...with bc/cc, you don't use much paint at all..the gloss and additional coverage or caots as you refer to it comes with application of the clear...that's what get's cut with bc/cc and requires at least 3 coats

[DukeRimmer]

Use minimal base, but lots of clear if you don't want orange peel. My technique takes lots of material, lots of labor, and is not for everyone.