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So far, in our Paint 101 series, we have introduced how to turn your home garage into a spray booth, which paint to use, choose primers and sealants, and use car body fillers correctly. Now, JoAnn Bortles is talking about choosing the type of paint required for your hot rod. -Ed

When choosing the final color for your project, it is important to understand the different types of primers and how they work. For example, the pearly background color is very different from the candy color background. What is a single segment? Once you understand and understand the different types of primer paints, you can make an informed decision about which paint is best for your project and which paint is right for your skill level.

There are two primer coating systems. One is a two-part primer, which consists of a primer and a polyurethane varnish. The other is a single-stage primer, which contains a hardener and acts like a polyurethane topcoat. But which system should you use for your project?

A single-stage coating is an all-in-one coating designed to achieve multiple goals at the same time. They are colored coatings that provide full coverage, produce gloss, and provide durability. Everything happens in one application. When you spray solid non-metallic colors, single-stage coatings can be conveniently used for traditional repairs. However, single-stage paint does not have much depth because it is sprayed with a medium-thick coating. For metallic colors, this is not a good choice, because spraying metallic colors too heavily can cause streaks, spots, or uneven effects.

If you are looking for the deepest deep black for your project, then black single-stage paint may be the answer.

Single-stage primers are not always a good choice for novice painters because they have a strict window in which they can be repainted. There is almost no freedom and no room for error. This type of paint is used for monochromatic paint work and will not carry any artwork. If you make any tape or artwork on the primer, the single-stage must be thoroughly cured, otherwise the tape may leave marks in it. Once the paint is sprayed overnight, a single stage must be sanded before more paint can be sprayed.

One of the advantages of single-stage paint is pure color. A black truck that has been varnished will show a very deep black, while the varnish will slightly weaken the pure blackness of the black. A vehicle painted with a black single layer will appear darker than a vehicle painted with a black primer/varnish. In addition, a single stage is just one step-spray your color coating and you are done.

If you spray single-grade black in a home store, you don't have to worry too much about the light-colored dust in the paint. The black paint will cover any light spots that fall in the finish. On the contrary, when spraying primer/varnish, these light spots will show through any transparent polyurethane sprayed on the black primer.

Single-stage has lower solid content than polyurethane varnish, so it is softer than primer/polyurethane varnish. It will still show swirls and scratches like polyurethane varnish, but it will also oxidize faster. Therefore, you must carefully polish and polish so that your single-stage finishes will continue to look new.

In addition, the single-stage color is designed to be applied to a 2K primer or 2K sealer that is properly cleaned and polished. They are sprayed with a wet coating similar to varnish application.

You don't have to spray metallic or candy-colored primers to get incredible paint effects. This pure red has no metallic elements, which is amazing. Pure colors are a great choice for beginners.

A two-stage primer is a paint that is applied in two stages. The first step is to apply a primer (color coat) after the primer or sealer. Then, after the primer is ready to be used as a top coat, the polyurethane varnish is applied. It is very easy to use and a great system for beginners because it provides the novice with the option to stop between steps. It allows the freedom to correct mistakes and start again when needed. Although two-stage coatings are more expensive and take longer to apply, they tend to provide a longer lasting finish.

The two-stage primer has no strength and depends on the gloss, durability and protection of the elements of the varnish. The window between the coatings is very forgiving because the reducing agent used in the primer can soften the previous layer to obtain chemical bonds. This means that the adhesion between the coatings is better and there is less chance of delamination problems over time.

The base coat is better and faster than single-stage coverage, but has low gloss characteristics. Their solids content is also very low, which means that the thickness of the paint coating is 1/3 less than that of single-stage or polyurethane varnishes. Therefore, they are very suitable for making artwork and most types of custom paints. The painted edges are thinner and smoother after varnishing. Compared with monochromatic paints, custom paints often require more paint coatings, so this system is very suitable for making candy-colored and pearl-colored paints.

This only represents colors and varnishes, as well as reducing agents and catalysts, which can be sprayed on a car. It does not include any primers, sealants, cleaners or other "preparation" products.

The primer of the two-stage system is applied in the medium coat. Remember, the more coats you apply, the longer the drying time between coats. Please pay special attention to the recommended repainted windows. If the solvent does not vent normally when varnish is applied to the primer, these solvents will have to "beat" through the varnish. The smooth and shiny surface that you see immediately after spraying the varnish will darken slightly. This is called death.

The primer comes in various colors. Pure colors and non-metallic colors are the easiest to apply and require the least amount of coating. Read through the product sheet of the paint you are using to understand how many coats to spray, repaint the windows, and how to mix them.

The metallic paint contains reflective flakes. The size of these flakes varies from very thin to very thick. It is usually made by mixing aluminum base with color toner. Before spraying, be sure to mix the colors thoroughly and scrape off the bottom of the paint can to allow all solids to settle on the bottom.

The blue metal material on this Nova Super Sport is perfectly applied, giving the car a refreshing and super clean appearance.

If you are a beginner, then spraying metallic colors requires some practice. You want the metal jacket not to be too light or too heavy. Spray metal in a medium coverage coating. The coating needs to be smooth, but still light enough to evenly distribute the metal. The biggest problem with sprayed metal is the so-called tiger stripes and markings.

Tiger stripes appear as stripes of uneven brightness or color across the entire surface. In order to cope with this situation, make sure that there is 50% to 75% of the correct pattern overlap when spraying. Another trick is to change the spray direction. For the first coat, use the horizontal direction and move the spray gun from side to side. Use the up and down direction to spray the second layer. I will even spray the third layer diagonally.

Some paint systems require a final layer of "mist" coating to further homogenize the metal orientation. In addition, please note that the spray gun is at a 90 degree angle to the surface. If the spray gun is tilted or angled, the color will be uneven.

Tiger stripes are the appearance of light and dark stripes on the painted area.

Spots will appear when the primer is sprayed too heavily or the spray gun is too close to the surface. The painted surface will appear uneven. By spraying metal uniformly, you will get the deep, shiny effect you need when spraying metal. Holding the spray gun too far will cause the paint to become too dry and produce a grainy, textured surface. Painting is to find a happy medium.

If possible, paint all the panels together and paint in the direction they will be installed on the car.

Three-color primer: pearl color, candy color and flake color

Three-coat paint is a three-step process. First, apply a primer foundation, then apply transparent candies or pearls, and then apply a polyurethane varnish. Confectionery dyes or concentrates, pearl powder and metal flakes are special products that are added to primers to obtain special effects.

This photo shows the difference between pearl orange and candy orange. The pearl orange is on the top tank. It is applied on a white primer. The bottom water tank has been sprayed with candy orange on the silver primer. Notice how the candy orange darkens when the surface is curved. The color reaction when viewed from an angle is called a "flop." From a certain angle, candy will darken, while pearls—if sprayed on a light-colored primer—will tend to stay bright.

The color of painted three coats is very similar to painted metallic color. The main thing to remember is that the coverage needs to be even. Prepare to paint three layers, practice on spare parts, thick white paper, or take a roll of white textured paper, some candy toner and some primer to remove and test until you are satisfied with the result.

The white background is merciless and shows every flaw. One of the most difficult ways to spray sugar is to over-white. Compared with pearls, candies can clearly show poor spray patterns, which is why it is best to use candies for practice. One of the biggest problems with spraying three-layer coatings is the inconsistent spray pattern. Before applying any paint on your project, be sure to perform a paint test on the test piece to test your spray gun and your painting process.

The purple primer of this 1967 Firebird was painted with PPG PLRX89, a purple pearl mixed with DBC9700 primer black. The result is that the purple is too deep, sometimes it looks black. The brightness of purple can be adjusted by adding more pearls. If the number of pearls is doubled, the purple will be brighter and will not look like black. If you mix the colors yourself, you can fine-tune them by changing the number of pearls.

Pearl paint is similar to metal, but the reflective material is smaller and finer. Pearl powder has many different particle sizes and various colors. The coloring effects are endless. There are many kinds of pearl paint: pearl powder is mixed with pure color and sprayed like metal, and pearl powder is mixed with primer. The latter is very transparent and is usually applied to black, white or colored primers.

When the pearl is mixed into a pure color, it will turn into a pearl color. However, it may still retain the opacity of the solid color (as opposed to transparency-you cannot see through it). Many OEM paint colors are mixed with pearls, and some contain both metal and pearl ingredients. Spray them like a metallic color.

If you mix the materials yourself, you can determine the mixing ratio of the pearl to the primer. However, you don't want too many pearls, it will thicken the paint or try to clog the paint gun. This is where the test panel can come in handy to get an idea of ​​how many pearls are needed.

This is an example of a very transparent pearl sprayed on a solid primer. The gray of the primer is still obvious, but the pearl blue gives the paint a luminous iridescent effect.

If you spray a transparent pearl primer on a solid or metallic primer, please spray it in the same way: not too light or too heavy. Usually need to apply one or two layers of transparent pearlescent primer to achieve the desired effect.

Likewise, always test your material on a test board to understand how to apply paint and how much coating is needed.

This is a classic pearl paint job using House of Kolor Goldmine pearls. It is a translucent pearl, painted on a white base.

Candy paint is a transparent paint that contains translucent pigments. It is sprayed on the metal or pearl primer, and the glitter of the primer can be seen through the colored candy layer. It works by purchasing pre-mixed candy carbamates, such as Eastwood's Candeez Paint or PPG's Vibrance Line of Radiance II candy carbamates. Alternatively, you can mix candy dyes or concentrates into primer varnishes or polyurethane varnishes. For novice painters, it is easier to buy pre-mixed candy carbamates.

Candy colors are more challenging than pearl colors, because blemishes and inconsistencies in spray or coverage tend to appear more easily than pearl colors. The thicker the candy paint, the darker the color. If the coat is inconsistent, the color will appear streaks or spots. If the spray gun sprays a cloud of color, it will cause black spots on the surface that cannot be mixed. In addition, any dust that falls in the paint may show up as black spots. If your painting area is not super clean, candy color may not be the best choice for your project.

This is the classic Candy Apple Red camouflage. Brown sugar is spread evenly.

For successful candy painting, plan to spend some time training yourself to paint colors. Take some white poster boards and practice spraying a smooth, even coating. Once you are satisfied with the results, try some tests with your metallic base color. Before painting your car with candy paint, make sure you have a good understanding of the spraying technique, the speed required to move the spray gun, and the amount of overlap. Don't forget to change your drawing direction.

But what can make or break the candy paint job? The way of spray gun! The spray pattern must be uniform and flawless, otherwise it is impossible to apply a uniform layer of candy on the surface.

Choose the right primer for your candy

When it comes to primers under candy paint, the options are endless. Very fine metallic or pearly primers can bring a stylish and elegant effect. Brighter metallic colors create a shiny, shiny effect. Spend some time on the candy color chart to see the different effects of various bases. Or, you can try to use some and come up with your own custom primer to use under the candy.

Having the right spray pattern and overlap has a major impact on the success of candy spray painting operations. By testing and practicing on white masking paper, you can perfect your spray gun and skills.

Metallic or pearly primers are as important as candy colors. The amount of glitter or bling provided by the base depends on you. Fine, medium or coarse metals can be used. You can add aggressive pearl powder or flakes to make the base more shiny. Any color of metallic or pearl can be used under the candy. Compared with silver, golden metallic color tends to make the candy tone warmer. Use a purple metal base under the candy red and get a rich deep wine red. Put a piece of green metallic color under Cherry Candy to get a deep purple red.

Play around and try candy and pearl colors. Add a little pearl powder to make the candy color more lively. But be aware that adding pearls to the candy will weaken the effect of the candy, so if you try this, please don't use pearls lightly.

Most paint companies have their own flake paint series. Most of the time, it is the dry substrate in the jar and needs to be mixed with paint. The sheet is made of very thin polyester. Modern flakes come in many colors, are very thin, can be laid flat, and the transparency required for a flat surface is low. The size of the flake coatings ranges from 0.002 inch ultramicro flakes to 0.62 inch bass boat size large flakes. The most popular sheet size is 0.15 inches. Spraying flakes requires a very large nozzle size (1.7 or larger) in the spray gun. The mixing ratio of the flakes should be about two tablespoons of flakes per quart of clear primer that is mixed and reduced.

The two biggest problems with paint flake color are the rough surface of the newly applied flake paint and the confusion caused by the application. The flakes are best sprayed on metal substrates of similar colors, because the metal flake coatings are difficult to cover completely.

Try to find a very rough metal base that is almost the same color as your flakes, but slightly darker. Spray the metallic coating and then apply several medium to wet flake coatings. Likewise, testing your paint can have a major impact on your success, because you can know what will happen and you can adjust your paint and technique as needed.

Sheet coatings are usually applied to panels to match the base color of the car.

The flakes will tend to settle in the paint booth of the gravity feed spray gun. Therefore, before spraying each coating, place a cotton cloth on the nozzle and gently trigger the spray gun. This will cause air to flow backwards through the spray gun and remove any stuck material. But don't pull the trigger completely back, just pull it lightly.

Before spraying the polyurethane varnish, make sure to allow enough time for the primer/sheet layer to deflate. Apply three to four coats of polyurethane varnish on the sheet layer, and then thoroughly cure for a few days. Then wet sand and apply your finishing polyurethane varnish. Be careful when sanding the clear coating on the flakes. You want to make the surface flat, but try not to sand and cut into thin slices. Sometimes a second round of varnish is needed to level the surface.

Sheets are very heavy, and unless you are using a downdraft compartment (a compartment with an exhaust filter on the floor under the car), it will be troublesome to clean up. The flakes are heavier than metallic or pearl, and they tend to fall anywhere. The floor will be covered by them.

Lowrider cars are known for their heinous flaky paint work.

One technique to help control the flakes is to cover the floor with masking paper to catch any loose flakes. Just roll up the paper when you are done. If you want to spray flakes in the garage, go out and get some disposable rags and cover them on everything. In fact, if you choose to spray any paint in your garage, cover everything with a rag and cover the walls with plastic.

How much paint do you need?

For solid colors or metallic colors, a gallon of primer is usually required for an average-sized car. When spraying the three-layer coating, plan to use a gallon of metal base and a gallon of candy. If you want to paint the door jam, luggage compartment and engine compartment, you need to order more paint. It's always better to have too much at the end of the work instead of running out. This can cause serious problems because if you use polyurethane paint, repainting the windows is very strict.

This is what the primer is all about. Next time, we will introduce polyurethane varnishes and how to get the best results when spraying the most expensive items on the paint list. Good luck to all your painting projects!

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