In the typical refinishing sequence, when is a sealer used?

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The step being tested is when a sealer goes into the refinishing sequence. After you’ve properly prepared the surface—sanding to remove imperfections, then cleaning to remove dust and oils—you apply the sealer to create a uniform, less-porous surface. This gives the basecoat something consistent to bite into and helps with adhesion and color uniformity. If you were to apply the sealer after the basecoat, you’d trap solvents and risk lifting or poor adhesion, which is not desirable. Sealers aren’t limited to metallic finishes—they’re used on many substrates to control porosity and improve basecoat performance. In a typical workflow, the sealer comes before the basecoat, after the surface has been prepped (and masking is done to protect off-area surfaces).