Automotive Paint and Clear Coat – How to choose the right paint system?
The final result of automotive painting is fundamentally determined by the quality of the paint system used and the proper combination of the individual products. It is not enough to simply choose the right colour automotive paint: the primer, paint, clear coat, hardener and thinner must form a compatible system. In addition, the right spray gun and precise application technique also play an important role.
But how is a professional automotive paint system structured, and what should you consider when choosing the individual products? In this guide, we will cover the most important aspects.
What does an automotive painting system consist of?
A modern automotive painting system consists of several layers built on top of each other. Putty, filler or primer can be applied to a properly prepared bodywork surface, followed by the paint layer that provides the colour, and finally the automotive clear coat that protects the surface and provides its gloss.
Additional materials may also be required for the individual layers, such as hardeners, thinners and various additives. These should not be treated as independent products. In a properly assembled system, the individual components work together and support each other’s performance.
Primer and filler – the foundation of a good paint finish
The purpose of the primer is to provide proper adhesion for the subsequent layers and contribute to protecting the bodywork surface. Fillers, on the other hand, primarily play an important role in levelling minor surface imperfections and creating an intermediate layer that can be properly sanded.
The right product always depends on the specific repair task and the condition of the surface. A minor repair may require a different layer structure than a larger body panel or a complete vehicle respray.
How to choose the right automotive paint?
When choosing automotive paint, one of the most important considerations is, of course, finding the correct colour and shade. Colour accuracy is particularly important for repair painting, as the newly painted panel must match the vehicle’s existing paintwork.
In addition to colour, the type of paint system, coverage, application properties and the other components being used must also be taken into account. For professional work, it is therefore advisable to think in terms of a complete paint system.
LECHLER premium automotive paint systems
LECHLER automotive paints and paint systems offer professional solutions for automotive painting applications. One of the advantages of a well-assembled paint system is that compatible products can be used throughout the entire process, from priming and the colour coat through to clear coating.
This is important not only for the quality of the final result, but can also make the workflow more predictable. In a professional workshop, it is particularly important that the materials used provide consistent and reproducible results.
Choosing automotive clear coat: 2K, HS or UHS?
Choosing the right automotive clear coat is at least as important as choosing the paint itself. The clear coat determines a significant part of the final appearance of the paintwork while protecting the colour layer underneath from external environmental influences.
The range includes 2K clear coats, HS and UHS clear coats. In 2K, or two-component systems, the appropriate hardener must be used with the clear coat. The HS (High Solid) and UHS (Ultra High Solid) designations refer to systems with a higher solids content.
The ideal clear coat may depend on the size of the repair, the application technology, the desired surface quality and the available drying conditions.
Why are the right hardener and thinner important?
For two-component products, the hardener is an essential part of the system. The correct mixing ratio and the use of the components specified by the manufacturer fundamentally affect the curing and final properties of the coating.
The thinner also affects the material’s workability and spraying properties. It is therefore not advisable to choose a hardener or thinner based solely on price. The product recommended for the specific paint, primer or clear coat system should always be used.
The right spray gun also matters
A carefully selected paint and clear coat alone do not guarantee a perfect finish. The spray gun’s atomisation properties, nozzle size, air pressure, material flow and spray pattern settings all affect the final result.
DeVilbiss premium spray guns offer solutions for professional painting applications. When choosing the right gun, it is also worth considering what material you intend to apply with it, as primers, basecoats and clear coats may have different requirements.
Thinking in systems is the key to professional painting
When it comes to automotive painting, the quality of the work is not determined by a single product. The properly prepared surface, primer or filler, automotive paint, automotive clear coat, hardener and thinner, together with the tools used for application, form a complete system.
At the Color Market webshop, you can choose from a wide range of materials and tools for the various stages of automotive painting. From LECHLER paint systems and automotive clear coats to DeVilbiss spray guns, you can find the professional solutions you may need for demanding painting work.