Whether you're refinishing or painting a car, having the right spray gun technique is good for your car paint job. Before you ever pull the trigger, it's important to understand your spray gun setup.
Mastering the Equipment Setup
First, let's talk about air pressure. Most automotive paint applications require an air pressure range of 20-30 PSI at the gun. Too low, and you'll struggle with uneven coverage; too high, and you risk excessive overspray and paint waste.
Adjust the fluid flow. This setting controls the amount of paint material released from the nozzle. For light layers like base coats, a lower fluid flow is ideal, while heavier layers like clear coats may require a higher setting.
Set the fan pattern to your preference. A wider pattern provides quicker coverage but can be more challenging to control, while a narrower pattern offers more precision but requires more passes. Vertically oriented patterns are typical for painting vehicle sides, while horizontal patterns work well for hoods, trunks, and roof areas.
Applying Trim Masking
When painting areas that butt up against trim pieces, use an ultra-thin precision spray pattern to minimize the need for masking. Adjust your air pressure up and fluid flow down for a knifed laminar spray pattern.
Then, angle the spray gun at about 75-85 degrees to the surface. This allows you to delicately apply paint right up to the trim edge with minimal overspray. Masking tape may still be needed, but you can minimize its use.
Getting Into Tight Areas
For areas like door jambs and gas tank indentations, you'll need to utilize a downward kick spray direction. Since you can't keep the gun perfectly perpendicular, you'll be shooting at an angle into the area.
Reduce your fluid flow slightly and increase the air pressure for a tighter spray pattern. Position the gun 3-4 inches away, angled about 30-45 degrees downwards. Walk the gun along the area for complete coverage.
For very tight areas, you may need to reduce the fluid flow even further and increase air pressure to maintain a tight pattern. Increase the angle so you're aiming more directly into the area.
Covering Edges
Any exposed edges like underside areas and wheel wells require a different technique. With the gun 6-8 inches away, walk it along the edge while fanning it in an arc between 30-45 degrees in each direction.
This applies a fanned, overlapping coat around the edge for full coverage. You may need to make a second pass while fanning the gun in the opposite arc direction.
The fanned edge technique takes practice to master. If you end up with dry spots, simply adjust the gun's distance and angle and make another overlapping pass or two.
Layering and Drying Times
Achieving a professional-grade finish is all about strategic layering and properly observing drying times between coats.
Base Coats: Apply base coats in light, even layers, allowing each one to become hand-slick (no paint transfer when touched) before applying the next. This process helps build an even foundation and prevents potential problems like cracking or hazing down the line.
Clear Coats: After your final base coat has fully cured (typically 16-24 hours), you can begin clear coating. Clear coats provide depth, gloss, and protection, but they must be applied carefully in two phases: a haze coat followed by a final flow coat.
The haze coat is a very light layer that helps establish an even, transparent base. Once fully dried (usually 20-30 minutes), apply the final flow coat in a single, wet pass to achieve a deep, glossy finish.
The AEROPRO A608 High Efficiency Spray Gun was purpose-built for professionals who aim for perfection in every coating application.
The ergonomic handle lessens user fatigue for comfort during high-volume jobs. Easy cleaning, it’s made of hard anodized aluminium and can be disassembled and cleaned separately. Lighter weight, painters will get a sense of more control and experience less fatigue during work.
Great for Automobile finish painting, optimized stainless steel nozzle design for various spray distances and inlet pressure.
Type of Feed: Gravity
Standard Nozzle:1.3mm
Recommended air pressure: 2.0bar(29psi)
Recommended spraying distance: 200mm
Pattern Width:Width:50-70mm,length:260-320mm
Paint Capacity:600cc
Air Inlet:1/4''
Max.temperature of the spray medium:50℃
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