Auto Painting Directions

The vast range of different automotive paints on the market can often lead to confusion in making the correct choice of material and applying it to a prepared panel. The increased demand for lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions has made water-based products incredibly popular in most major body shops, but there is still a significant demand for solvent-based colors, urethane clear coats and single-staged acrylic paint systems. Although directions for application are largely universal, there are a number of small considerations which need to be applied to ensure a perfectly painted finish.

Instructions

Water-Based Paint

1

Activate water-based material at a ratio of 10 parts paint to 1 part of compatible activator. Always strain water-based paints through a filter before adding them to a HVLP spray gun. Ensure the spray gun fluid tip setup for water-based paint is kept to a maximum of 1.2 mm and an ambient spraying temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit should always be maintained.

2

Apply water-based paint in three full coats from a distance of 4 inches, allowing a suitable curing time between each one to allow the color to matte. Carry out a full inspection of the final coat to check for transparency and add further coats as necessary.

3

Apply a drop coat of color -- once the final full coat has cured -- from a distance of 10 to 12 inches to give an even coverage of metallic contact or straight color integration. Leave to cure for 5 minutes before applying a compatible clear coat.

Solvent-Based Color

4

Mix solvent-based colors at a ratio of 2 parts paint to 1 part of compatible thinner. There is no need to add a hardener to solvent-based colored coatings. Mix the contents together thoroughly to allow for the distribution of paint solids and strain the material through a filter into a HVLP spray gun with a 1.4 mm fluid tip setup.

5

Apply the first layer of color at medium volume instead of a full coat. The high level of solid content should give effective coverage and a lighter application will provide an excellent gripping surface for subsequent coats. Leave the first coat to cure until it is matte in appearance.

6

Apply two full coats of solvent-based material over the grip coat with a suitable curing period between each one. A drop coat can be added on metallic colors from a distance of 8 to 12 inches. Clean the spray gun thoroughly before applying a protective clear coat.

Urethane and Acrylic Paints

7

Activate urethane and acrylic paints in accordance with manufacturer data sheets. A 2 to 1 mix with a compatible hardener is usually recommended. Add an additional 10 percent of thinner to promote a suitable flow of material and add the mixed product to a HVLP spray gun with a 1.3 mm fluid tip setup. Spray at an ambient temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

8

Spray urethane and acrylic products in two full coats at a distance of 6 inches from the panel surface. Allow 5 minutes between each coat for paint to cure, ensuring that all panel edges have been covered before cleaning out the spray gun with cellulose thinners.

9

Force dry urethane and acrylic materials, wherever possible. Ideally, a paint oven set at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes should be used. Alternatively, leave material to dry overnight at ambient temperature.