You can apply clear over many base paints, check compatibility and try on a practice part. I have mixed different leftover paint partials together (same brand, type)and painted projects with astonishing results, and some less than flattering as well, lol. If you use a eurothane base paint, even single stage, you can clear it and it gives a very deep marble like appearance. The color of primer or sealer will affect the color as well. Someone else mentioned base, clear...I really like it, it was a ruff transition for me from acrylic enamel to base clear because of how you apply the base color, but once I got it down, I love the end result, and the way you can work with it, blend, repair, etc... It is expensive due to all of the chemicals, and you need the correct spray equipment, ideally a base gun, and a separate clear gun, but I started by using the same gun for both. Not now, after I learned to use it. The thing I notice between automotive quality paint verses hobby or equipment grade is the quality and consistency of the chemicals, especially the reducers and thinners along with longevity, and the freshness of the product. The reducer is critical to the finish, it needs to be fast enough to allow the paint to cure and not run, but slow enough to allow coverage, and flow, without excessive orange peel or dry overspray areas. The temperature and shop conditions dictate the selection along with what you are painting, a whole car or parts, etc...Also if you want to have the option of repairing or touch up, I strongly reccomend buying some extra paint from the same mix and saving it for later.
