By perfecting their automotive refinishing techniques, vehicle owners can produce professional quality paint jobs at a fraction of the cost associated with body shops. Although the use of the right equipment and materials will ultimately influence the quality of paintwork, a number of techniques widely used in the automotive industry can promote better results. When you encounter problems, simple troubleshooting procedures will save you time and money by preventing the need to paint panels a second time.
Surface Preparation
The quality of a paint job will always depend on the standard of preparation work that has taken place underneath it. Heavy scoring in body filler and an ineffective buildup of primer will lead to materials sinking over time, which can result in ugly scratches beneath the paint surface. Always finish body filler with a P240-grit finish, and use high-build primers to fill remaining scratches. Rub these scratches down to a P800-grit wet-and-dry finish to produce the perfect surface for painting.
Blending Colors
Blending colors is a difficult aspect of auto painting that can even cause problems for professionals. To ensure a perfect color match, always blend adjacent panels so you can integrate new paint seamlessly into existing colors. Add a coat of transparent sealer to adjacent panels before applying the base color so you can absorb any overspray.
Runs in Clear Coats
Runs and sags result from the application of excessive material, but you do not need to panic if blemishes appear in your clear coats. Leave the vehicle to dry overnight so the clear coat can fully harden. Apply clean water over the sagged area, and use an abrasive clay bar to rub over the run. Keep the clay bar as flat as possible, and move your hand in concentric circles until you have removed the excess material. Polish dulled clear coat back to a shine using polishing compound and a mop.
Silicone Problems
If you have not cleaned the surface of the vehicle sufficiently with a compatible degreaser before starting the spraying process, small holes called "fish eyes" will appear in the finished paintwork. These holes result from silicone residues, but you do not need to dry the auto panel and paint it again. While the paint or clear coat is still wet, dip a cotton swab into any remaining product from the spray gun. Allow a droplet to form, then place the swab tip over each individual fish eye until the material falls off and fills the hole. In many cases, the flowing of paint or clear coats during the drying process will render these blemishes invisible. Rub down any high spots that remain visible after drying using a clay bar, and polish them back to a shine.
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