Three primary types of paint are in use today, partly due to environmental issues. Current paints have a lot more solids than in the past, giving them more durability and resistance to ultraviolet light: acrylic enamel, single-stage urethane and base-coat clear-coat urethane. Acrylic enamel is the least expensive. It gives a decent shine with a fair amount of chip resistance. It is easy to spray and does not need an activator. The temperature rating on the reducer can regulate drying time. Longevity is the main issue relating to the ability to maintain a luster over time. Single-stage urethane has better properties yet is somewhat harder to spray and temperamental where climate is concerned. All late-model vehicles use the base-coat clear-coat system. The vehicle is painted with a rather dull base coat of color and then covered with a series of clear coats. This paint requires an activator to harden the paint. The clear coat is extremely hard and resists scratches. Any scratches that are encountered are usually in the clear coat and do not touch the underlying base coat. The clear coat can be either buffed to remove the scratch or repainted to a perfect finish.
Instructions
1. Read the side of the paint can for the mixing instructions. It will tell you the exact proportion of reducer to paint, which varies with paints. It will also state, by number, which reducer to use. Paint must have compatible reducer, or it will not mix properly nor will it flow properly. This means it will not give an even surface. In some cases, certain reducers will cause the paint to lift or crack. Enamel is not compatible with urethane and so on.
2. Mix all paints thoroughly with a paint shaker or stir stick. Always pour paint through a paint strainer into the paint cup. Replace the lid after each fill. Never leave the lid off the paint can.
3. Consider the current temperature and humidity prior to painting. Use the proper temperature reducer for the existing conditions. Reducers come in slow, medium and fast drying. On cold (under 70 degrees) days a slow reducer works best. On hot days (over 85 degrees) a fast reducer will work well.
4. Chose a compatible activator for the paint being used, and read the mixing table on the side of the can. Too much activator will reduce pot time - the amount of time the paint can remain in the paint gun after activator is added before it gets hard. Clear coat uses an activator but no reducer. Mixing base coat, for example: mix the paint well and pour it through a strainer into the paint cup to just under a half a can. Pour the same amount of medium reducer in the cup making it a 50-50 mixture. Next pour in one capful of activator. Add two drops of fisheye remover and mix well.
5. Mix the appropriate amount of activator to a full can of clear. Adjust the air pressure at the gun and test spray something to see the pattern before laying it on the vehicle. Clean the paint gun immediately with reducer when finished or if the pot time is about to expire.
