Drop coating is a vital ability that each auto physique paint sprayer ought to aspire to grasp. Drop coats are administered over the last part of the spraying course of when metallic paints are used. When utilized to an auto physique panel accurately, drop coats provide full colour protection, good metallic content material distribution and a greater paint base that may settle for lacquers with ease.
Making use of Metallic Paint
Drop coating needs to be used with all metallic auto paints. Many paint sprayers apply metallic base coats utilizing the identical strategies with which they apply strong colours, and this can be a widespread error that compromises an in any other case good job. Whereas horizontal arm actions are good for many strong colour spray jobs, metallic auto physique paint needs to be dropped onto the panel as quickly as fundamental protection has been achieved, and it’s equally as necessary to cross coat the ultimate utility in horizontal and vertical instructions.
Making certain Uniform Paint Protection
Earlier than drop coats will be utilized, the ready automobile panel have to be adequately coated with metallic auto physique paint to assist keep away from primer transparency. As soon as the colour is activated, a full moist coat of paint needs to be sprayed to the floor of the panel. It’s important that every horizontal spraying motion blends into the earlier one to ensure uniform protection and distribution (overlaps of 30% to 40% are good). As quickly as a single we coat has been utilized, the auto physique paint have to be left to dry for round 10 minutes. By no means spray a second coat till the primary one has achieved a matte look.
Making use of a Second Coat of Metallic Paint
Personally, I wish to spray the following coat of paint in a special route to the primary, particularly when the panel has been taken off the automobile. Typically, this is not attainable on vertical panels, similar to fenders and doorways, if they’re nonetheless fitted to the car so do not be too involved in case you are happier utilizing a typical horizontal spraying sample. The second utility have to be sprayed in an analogous method to the primary coat, however attempt to obtain 80% wetness compared to the sooner utility. As soon as extra, the auto physique paint have to be left to dry for round 10 minutes till matte.
Making use of the Drop Coat
If the metallic paint remains to be clear, an extra coat could also be required however this would possibly not be mandatory generally. To spray the precise drop coat, place the spray gun 18 to 24 inches away from the floor of the panel and scale back gun strain by 20% to 30%. Spray the auto physique paint horizontally, transferring the arm slowly throughout the panel so the metallic colour drops (or falls) onto the floor. Keep uniform protection till the spraying course of is full. Recoat the panel from an analogous distance immediately, however swap the horizontal actions for a vertical route so the following coat crosses the primary. In addition to guaranteeing even paint protection, crossing the drop coat affords uniform steel distribution and a superior floor that can settle for lacquer accurately.
Tacking the Drop Coat
Enable the drop coat to dry earlier than visually inspecting the metallic auto physique paint. Test for patches the place protection may be inconsistent and spray an additional drop coat if mandatory. With solvent-based auto physique paint, it’s at all times a good suggestion to run a tack rag over the car panel as quickly because the drop coat has dried. Specialist tack rags will be bought for water-based auto physique paint, however it’s preferable to waive the tacking course of as excessive paint build-up can peel again the colour and this could result in irritating rework.
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