Wetsanding Paint Runs: Way to tell if run is in base or clear?

[TROLL]

I'm buying a used Wrangler which has recently been painted pretty inexpensively. The paint job overall is decent and I'm not going for show car finish but there are a few paint runs that I'd be interested in improving if possible.
However, is there a way to know if the run is in the paint or the clear by looking at it? I guess a paint depth gauge would help but I don't have one so I'm just wondering if visually there are any ways to tell.
The paint color is Emerald Green which is a dark green.
Thanks a lot,
Bryan

 

[MPBGT]

If you say it is emerald green it should have some metallic and visually you should be able to see a sag in the metallic. If the metallic looks even I would guess its in the clear.

 

[Becciasm]

icture:

a pic or two would help the community help you!

wow, that was not intended to rhyme...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

For what it's worth...

Normally the basecoat is pretty thin, 2-3 coats to cover the primer and create the actual "base color". The clear is the thicker of the two coats and in most cases where the runs are located.


They are pretty easy to remove with the right tools and a little patience...

How to use Meguiar's Unigrit Sanding Blocks to remove runs and dirt nibs in paint


How's that Supra doing?

 

[TROLL]

Thanks everyone for the responses, of course I'm crossing my fingers that its in the clear. The Jeep looks pretty nice from a normal viewing distance but of course anyone who is on this forum would spot the imperfections with a closer look I'm sure.
I don't have it yet but I will this weekend so I'll be happy to take some photos to post to show the areas of concern.

Mike,
Thanks for the link, I did read a bit about that and was going to follow that path if I determine that the run is in the clear. As you can tell, I'm going to be a bit less particular with this car than the others so it should be a good one to practice on.
The Supra is doing well... its been on daily driver duty for the past 5 months though, unfortunately. I really should have bought something else much sooner but at least I'm getting something now. Still interested in bringing it in sometime but I don't know when that will be realistically. The paint is definitely not up to snuff right now.

And the Subaru has been on jackstands for the past 5 months with a blown motor. I've hit numerous setbacks with it and am working to get it back on the road but the reality is its still going to be a while, again part of the reason I'm picking up this Wrangler for the time being.

Here are a couple pics, just because... not close enough to show the runs though

 

[Cruzinqueen944]

Nice looking Jeep.

You may be able to gently run a fingernail across the run to feel if it is in the clear. Chances are it is in the clear, which is easily fixed with some tools and patience. You could experiment with some wetsanding at about 2000 grit with a few quick swipes. This will quickly let you know the extent of the run without removing so much paint that it can't quickly be polished back out. If you hit it with the 2000 and you notice the high spot (the run) getting dull and edges of the run staying shiny you will then know for sure it is in the clear.

 

[KennyS]

be very careful with it.. from the passenger side shot, it looks like it has very thin clear coat. (it could just be a 2nd pass that was not thick enough)