"Discover How To Apply Auto Primers And Sealers"
Steps include:
Primer products are used generally on parts of body work that have sustained repair work or have very minor or shallow sheet metal scratches.
Never use primer as a substitute for body filler.
How To Apply Auto Primer
1. Mixing Auto Primer
Carefully mix the primer to ensure a proper application is achievable. Using a calibrated mixing cup makes mixing primer with the correct reducer simple. Always be sure to read the mixing instructions to verify the correct ratio. All brands and primers have different mixtures, don't sweat this, mixing is the easy part!
2. Filling your Automotive Spray Gun
After thoroughly mixing by stirring, place a paint strainer in your automotive spray gun cup and pour in the primer. It's best to ALWAYS use a strainer. It's just professional, get used to it.
Never pour any kind of paint product into an automotive spray gun cup without a strainer. Strainers are usually free from where you purchase your paint. By not using one you run the risk of ruining your automotive spray gun if a speck of dirt or debris gets lodged in a passageway and on to the surface of your panel.
3. Applying Auto Primer
Please note: With primer being sanded, there is no need to spray it in a spray booth. A clean, dust free area should be sufficient. There will be some overspray however, so the immediate area surrounding the repair area needs to be masked off, be sure to tape any seams in the masking paper.
Say that you are now getting ready for your 2nd coat of primer and you have already applied some glazing putty on your first coat of primer. to fill in scratches. Use 400 - 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper and flatten your galze spots down.
Have the area properly masked off, primer mixed and loaded into your automotive spray gun and your respirator on. You can now begin applying the primer.
Make sure that you always hold your paint spray gun perpendicular to the surface area being sprayed at all times, with the air line held back away from the vehicle.
When spraying the lower edges of the vehicle, it is essential to bend over or kneel down so you can see what you are actually spraying; ensuring an adequate coverage is achieved.
Spray two to three coats of primer onto the repair area, leaving sufficient time in between coats for the primer to dry.
Don't spray primer all the way up to the paint masking paper, as that would create a harsh line at that point. Instead, taper the primer from a heavier application on the actual repair area to a very thin dusting before reaching the masking line.
The Use of Seam Sealers
Many panels such as doors are made up of an outer skin lapped over an inner panel or framework.
Where these panels overlap, apply seam sealer to prevent moisture from seeping between the two panels and causing a rust problem. Apply seam sealer after all bodywork and sanding has been completed but prior to applying primers and paints.
4. Applying Automotive Paint Guide Coat
Once the final coat of primer has been applied and dried, to aid you in detecting the progress of primer sanding, spray a light layer of matte black automotive paint guide coat over the surface. Most novice auto painters should probably apply the automotive paint guide coat a little heavier. Remember, we have all of this training 'inside' of our famous auto body and paint VIP COURSE be sure to check it out.
Sanding will immediately remove this coating from high spots and highlight low spots. You don't have to find any special type of automotive paint guide coat; flat-black paint or any contrasting color will work.
5. Sanding Auto Primer
Now use 400 - 800 grit wet and dry paper to sand the surface.
If you find that two to three coats of primer did not produce the results you were expecting and very fine sanding scratches or a shallow low spot remains, apply a couple more light coats of primer and again, sand with 400 - 800-grit wet and dry sanding paper.
6. Removing Old Masking Paper, Surface Cleaning, Applying New Masking Paper & Now You're Ready For Paint Application
Due to the high solid content of primer, flakes of primer can easily flake off paint masking paper and land onto work surfaces. It is best practice therefore to remove masking sheets used during primer applications.
Sanding dust will get everywhere, this will require a complete cleaning with air pressure, wax and grease remover, auto glass cleaner and tack cloth before any color coats can be applied.
You can now begin masking for sealer and paint applications.
