Auto Body Painting and Repair

Painting Techniques

• Wet-on-Wet: Applying multiple coats of paint without allowing previous coats to dry, achieving a high-gloss finish.
• Dry-on-Dry: Applying multiple coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next, reducing the risk of runs and sags.
• Base Coat-Clear Coat (BC-CC): Applying a colored base coat and a clear coat to achieve a high-gloss finish and protect the paint.

Clear Coat Application

• Application Methods:
  • Spray Gun: Using a spray gun to apply clear coat, allowing for a smooth, even finish.
  • HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure): A spray gun technology that reduces overspray and increases transfer efficiency.
• Clear Coat Types:
  • Urethane Clear: A two-part clear coat that hardens when mixed with a catalyst.
  • Acrylic Clear: A water-borne clear coat that dries quickly and is environmentally friendly.

Color Matching

• Color Theory:
  • Hue: The actual color (e.g., red, blue).
  • Saturation: The brightness or intensity of the color.
  • Value: The lightness or darkness of the color.
• Color Matching Techniques:
  • Visual Match: Matching the color by eye, using a color chart or fan deck.
  • Instrumental Match: Using specialized equipment (e.g., spectrophotometer) to measure and match the color.

Surface Preparation

• Cleaning:
  • Solvents: Using solvents (e.g., mineral spirits, acetone) to remove contaminants and grease.
  • Abrasion: Using abrasives (e.g., sandpaper, Scotch-Brite) to remove rust, corrosion, and old coatings.
• Surface Finishing:
  • Sanding: Using progressively finer grits to smooth the surface.
  • Polishing: Using compounds and polishes to remove scratches and imperfections.

Metal Repair

• Damage Assessment:
  • Inspection: Identifying the extent of the damage and determining the necessary repairs.
  • Estimating: Estimating the time and materials needed for the repair.
• Repair Techniques:
  • Welding: Using heat to fuse metal together, repairing holes and tears.
  • Bondo: Using a polyester-based filler to repair dents and holes.
  • Panel Beating: Using specialized tools to shape and form metal panels.