@gmanpaint
While I was replying to your question about recoat times and staring at the flash card I started to wonder if it was dark because I was seeing the black primer through the paint. So I wiped it down and added another coat to the flash card and one coat of matte black to the smaller emblems.
I have to say this single stage works great. It has a nice fan when applying, and it lays down flat. It makes me feel like a pro, If only you could get bodywork in a can!!! The flash card I painted was pretty hammered before I painted it. You can see dings, dent, divits, and scratches in it but almost no orange peel!! Just like my truck, it's super hard to take a picture because it's so shiny and reflective.
I think I'm done with the flash card... but I added a 3rd coat any way. I could experiment with a clear coat but....i read that you can still clear coat singlestage paint but it's not necessary so i might not.
I added the first coat of matte clear coat to the 2 smaller emblems. First coat is drying.
The big one set enough, I opted to just scuff n repaint matte black. Pictured scuffed.
It's been repainted and waiting to be clear coated.
I'm dying to skip ahead and see if the vista blue is visible or disappears but If it does work I will need to repeat the process so I have to continue in order and do it right. Even if this turns out horrible I'll have my answer.
Besides the time, effort and cost of materials (paint, supplies, and emblems), the biggest drawback from doing this is, if I ever need to replace a damaged emblem I cant just order it off Ebay. I'll have to go through this process again.