It’s the first thing you see and often the subconscious driving force in
choosing an automobile – manufacturers learned long ago that we buy
with our eyes. They say don’t judge a book by its cover but the quality
and colour of a car’s finish go a long way in determining a vehicle’s
appeal. Painting a car combines mechanical procedures with artistic
talent and can be one of the most time-consuming and expensive
automobile projects. Three quarters of the cost of building a car plant
is put into the painting system. A paint job is really a multi-step
process leading up to the final polish and takes a lot of patience and
perfectionism.
Automotive painting can be done at home but with the time and expense
involved, most will turn to a professional. Automotive refinishing
technicians are specially trained for all types of paint jobs, whether
it’s a custom design, restoration work or due to a collision. Today’s
paint systems are better than ever – no longer containing volatile
pollutants or lacquer. Refinishing requires calculating how much paint
is needed, mixing paint to match existing colours exactly, and blending
paint to the correct thickness. A meticulous eye is needed for colour
matching and fine-finishing details.
Automotive painting requires a workspace with excellent ventilation and
lighting, minimal dust, electrical access and sufficient space to move
around the vehicle. If you’re thinking of doing it in your garage,
better put down a sheet of plastic and make sure there aren’t furnaces
or water heaters that could cause ignition of paint fumes. The first
step is removing rust and repairing dents so there is a solid
foundation, which may mean replacing entire panels. After body filler is
applied, sand down to the bare metal if possible and clean all surfaces
thoroughly to ensure no oils are left on the car. Snap-off removable
chrome or plastic moldings and cover with masking tape and paper the
surfaces not to be painted.
The automotive painting itself starts by priming the surface with a
corrosion resistant primer until it is smooth and giving enough time for
the primer to cure. Sand delicately and clean the primed surface before
spraying the finish paint, thinned correctly and applied by cleaned
high volume, low pressure (HVLP) spray guns. Prep and safety are vital
to the final process – complete paint suits, goggles and respirators are
highly recommended.The paint may take up to a week to fully cure before
the final sanding process can begin. Finally, a rubbing compound is
used to polish the paint and bring out a glossy finish. Be cautious with
buffing machines and consider spending the extra time to polish by
hand.
Automotive painters have the proper training to create finished products
that meet the high standards of car owners. They are skilled in
painting and refinishing all parts of the car and fixing damaged areas,
often working with other members of an auto body shop, like the auto
mechanic.
