Automotive paint is pricey, so it solely is sensible to make use of it as effectively as doable. Earlier than diving into your subsequent paint job, contemplate methods to get essentially the most out of your paint materials finances by eliminating waste. Under are a number of small steps that, when used collectively will help guarantee extra of the supplies you bought find yourself on the automobile.
Order solely what you want
Earlier than you order your primer, base coat, or clear, work out how a lot or every materials you’re going to wish. Calculate the whole sq. footage you intend to color, factoring in jambs, underhood, truck mattress, or different particulars. Add one other 10-20% for security in case you’ve miscalculated or make a mistake within the course of.
As soon as you already know the world to be painted, multiply that by the variety of coats of every materials to be sprayed. You may select to use two coats of primer, two coats of base, and three coats of clear, for instance. Every product can have totally different protection as soon as lowered and catalyzed, so determine the protection per gallon for every coat to get your complete materials want. Relying in your materials, you’ll be able to typically order in pint-, quart-, or gallon-sized portions.
Plan your challenge
To enhance paint effectivity in addition to productiveness, plan the sequence of your work prematurely
There’s no sense mixing quite a few small batches of fabric if you happen to can shoot full coats of every in a single session. Spray all of your primer surfaces earlier than transferring to paint, and so forth. Combine as soon as and spray all the pieces collectively at any time when doable. As a bonus, you’ll seemingly get higher colour and texture consistency this fashion as properly.
Think about eradicating physique elements like doorways and lids from the automobile earlier than portray. You might be able to save masking time and supplies, however you’ll additionally be capable of spray extra effectively. That is notably true on the hinged edge the place it might be troublesome to spray precisely with an open panel.
Improve to an HVLP Gun
Should you’re nonetheless spraying with an old-style gravity feed gun, you’re going to waste some paint. Trendy HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) spray weapons extra successfully atomize paint, guaranteeing even protection with minimal overspray. Select one which’s suitable along with your air provide’s capabilities in addition to the kind of materials you’ll be taking pictures.
{Most professional} painters will use a unique gun for primers than for base or clear. Many entry-level HVLP weapons shall be obtainable with interchangeable nozzles and ideas for various supplies. For many primers, a tip between 1.8 and a pair of.0 mm is required. Base coat ideas usually vary from 1.2 to 1.4 mm, whereas clears are inclined to work greatest with 1.4 to 1.8 mm ideas.
Combine precisely
When mixing in reducers and activators, all the time use correct measuring gear. Skilled paint and physique outlets measure out supplies on a scale, however a graduated paint mixing cup can also be efficient. These will be cleaned and reused many occasions as properly, lowering the price of conserving them available. Once more, combine solely what you intend to spray. Saving catalyzed paint for a later spray often leads to wasted materials that may’t be used.
Use disposable cups or gun liners
Each time you pour paint from one container to a different, you doubtlessly depart an oz. or so of paint within the container. Mixing your paint in graduated, disposable gun liners can remove waste from transferring between containers. Even disposable cups enable for sooner gun cleansing and require a lot much less solvent within the course of. Each drop prices one thing.
Seal containers to cut back evaporative loss
This may appear to be an insignificant suggestion however you’ll want to preserve tight lids on all supplies. A free lid could cause paint and different supplies to dry out between makes use of, lowering their total protection.
Keep your spray gear
Keep your air provide gear. Change inline filters and drain moisture separators commonly to forestall losing materials on account of poor air high quality. Don’t overlook to scrub your spray gun totally after every use and retailer it correctly between sprayings. Soiled needles and nozzles can create poor spray patterns or trigger the gun to stay, losing supplies.
Share your experiences
We will all study from one another. If there’s one thing you do this saves materials and price, we’d love to listen to it. Share your ideas within the feedback beneath.
