 Back to Archive
The Auto Painting Tips Newsletter
With Chris Curwen & Expert Auto Painter - Dave Gage (Car Cosmetics) November 13th, 2007 - Issue 29 In this issue:
Today, let's look more closely at those products that will SUPPORT you in your auto painting project(s). We'll start by taking a look at the extremely important auto surface cleaner which is Wax & Grease Remover. But first we wish to provide you with a brief introduction on Paint Support products. What are Paint Support Chemicals? Paint support chemicals are the auto undercoat products you will need to use for your auto paint prep. These will also include the additives that are designed to be mixed with paint to overcome certain problems. The entire process of painting cars would be a lot smoother and less technical if there was just one paint product used for all automotive uses. Why are they important? With the various paint bases that are used to add color to a vehicles body, it is very important that you use other paint products as specified to ensure the color lasts, the paint sticks and the sheet metal is protected. By spraying paint directly onto bare metal this will not result in the smooth finish you'd expect. The color may wash out, the paint may peel or crack and a whole host of other problems will quickly surface. Likewise, painting cars whose vinyl and rubber parts have been treated with lots of silicone will likely produce fish eye problems, because the silicone has settled on the metal and made it resistant to paint adhesion. For flexible urethane plastic parts, such as bumpers and ground effects, without a flex-additive, the paint on these components would randomly peel and crack. Where to go for individual product knowledge. Auto Paint Manufacturers are required to provide auto paint supply stores with all their paint products, information sheets as well as guides detailing the proper application processes. This includes for all sealers, primers, paint removers and cleaners. All of the mixing instructions and flash times are there to be referred to, likewise for paint. A complete paint system will feature all of the necessary products to complete the entire paint job. Paint manufacturers will design their wax and grease removers, primers, thinners, retarders, reducers and paints to be 100% compatible with each other. Mixing sticks from each manufacturer are calibrated so that products all blend well together when mixed. This ensures a paint product that will provide a durable color, is the exact color you desire, ensures metal protection and paint adhesion. Since it would be an impossible task to depict every kind of paint related problem for every vehicle and every circumstance, you may have to confer with a paint supply store worker or professional auto painter for unique problems. It is in your best interest to be honest with paint supply store workers about the type of paint job you wish to apply to your vehicle as well as your past painting experience, or lack of it if that is the case. This gives them the opportunity to share their technical knowledge with you and help you solve further unknown problems. Wax & Grease Remover Before any vehicle surface is fit for the application of an auto undercoat or top coat such as primer and paint, it has to be as clean as possible through the use of auto surface cleaners such as wax and grease remover and also but of much less importance: glass cleaner. Why do I need to use Wax & Grease Remover? Absolutely all traces of dirt, grease, oil, silicone and any other surface contaminants must be removed. It is a simple known fact that any auto undercoat and top coat will not stick to dirt, wax or grease. When do I need to use Wax & Grease Remover? Prior to sanding, after sanding, between undercoats and top coats and after a thorough and meticulous wash, the use of an auto surface cleaner such as wax and grease remover used on your vehicle to clean the vehicle's surface with is of huge importance. Always bare in mind that each paint system will have its own recommended auto surface cleaners. How do I apply Wax & Grease Remover? The best cleaning results are obtained by using one cloth dampened with wax and grease remover to initially wipe surfaces using one hand, followed by a clean dry cloth in the other hand to remove lingering residue and moisture. Be absolutely certain that the cloths you use are clean and completely free from all traces of wax, polish, oil or anything else. IMPORTANT: Every part of any surface to be painted must be cleaned with a wax and grease remover product prior to the application of paint. If you don't use such an auto surface cleaner, you run the risk of contaminants on the surface ruining an otherwise professionally applied paint job. What safety precautions do I need to take? Be sure to follow label instructions when using auto surfaces cleaners, including the use of rubber gloves and any recommended protective respiratory device. For your convenience, you may wish to pour wax & grease remover into a spray bottle that is clearly labeled; being a clear liquid with few identifying characteristics it would be easy to confuse this product with some other product found in your work area. The use of wax & grease remover is professionally demonstrated in How to Paint a Car - Part 1: Auto Scratch Repair. Glass Cleaner Some auto painters supplement their wax and grease remover cleaning with an additional wipe down using a glass cleaner. This helps to remove tiny traces of any residual contaminant material and also assists in the removal of lingering moisture particles. You would simply spray glass cleaner onto surfaces and then wipe them dry with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Tack Cloths Take the time to wipe the body surface with a tack cloth just before the actual painting begins. Tack cloths are made from a material that allows it to pick up very fine particles of lint, dust, and debris. This process of wiping the surface down with a tack cloth will make sure there is no debris left behind that will result in paint finish imperfections and blemishes. Who should use tack cloths? A tack cloth is very important if you don't have ideal surroundings for your paint job to take place in. Remember to only rub the tack cloth gently against the surface you are going to paint. Tack cloths are available to buy at any auto paint supply store. Their cost is minimal, especially when compared to the kind of intricate dust and lint removal they provide. Open and unfold tack cloths and then lightly fold them back again. This will loosen them up to make them more manageable. Be sure to take note of any package instructions or user recommendations to ensure adequate and complete cleaning is achieved at all times. ******************************************************************************** That's all we have for you this week. Thank you very much for reading. We both hope this issue has been of valued interest to you. COMING NEXT ISSUE: We take a closer look at Thinners, Reducers and Retarders. Happy Painting! Chris Curwen & Dave Gage www.LearnAutoPainting.com © 2007 LearnAutoPainting.com
|