What is the best way to paint my car? Have you been thinking about repainting your car? And did all the terms confuse you?
Never feel that feeling ever again! Because we’ve done all the homework for you so you don’t have to read multiple blogs just to try and understand the car paint lingo. But if you’re an expert and wanted a brush up, hey, this is also perfect for you.
Let’s start our express class with…
WHAT IS IT MADE OF?
Automotive paint is made out of 5 components;
- pigment(s) – prime pigments to impart colour and opacity
- binder (resin) – a polymer, often referred to as resin, forming a matrix to hold the pigment in place
- extender – larger pigment particles added to improve adhesion, strengthen the film and save binder
- solvent (sometimes called a thinner) – either an organic solvent or water is used to reduce the viscosity of the paint for better application. Water-borne are replacing some paints that use volatile organic compounds such as the hydrocarbons which are harmful to the atmosphere
- additives – used to modify the properties of the liquid paint or dry film
TYPES OF CAR PAINT MATERIAL
There are 2 types of car paint material in the market; waterborne & solvent-based. As the names suggest, one has water-based properties while the later has solvent-based properties. For easier comparison, we’ll use a table.
| Waterborne |
|
Solvent-based |
| Low VOC of around 10%, fewer odor problem |
VOC solvent |
High VOC of around 84%, odor problem |
| Environmentally friendly, less health risk |
Safety |
High risk of irritation, damage & may cause cancer |
| Typically made from acrylic resin (water-based lacquer) or an acrylic urethane (sold as water-based polyurethane) |
Content |
Typically made from lacquer, urethane or enamel |
As we can see in the table, waterborne are much safe for the environment and ourselves. There’s no wonder that this type of paint is the preferred choice for most car paint shops nowadays.
TYPES OF CAR PAINT APPLICATION
There are two types of application when it comes to automotive paints. Both use primer which is a bonding agent.
This means that primer creates a bond between the surface underneath it and the paint that will be sprayed on top.
- Single stage – an all-in-one paint that gets the job done in just one sitting. Has the gloss and the color mixed together and applied to the car as a unit.
- Two-stage – have a base coat with the color applied before a layer of clear coat is added to protect the color and give you a long lasting finish for years of service. It is, of course, applied in layers with several dry times and is labor intensive.
TYPES OF CAR PAINT FINISH
Moving onto the fun part! This is where you get to choose how boujee your car will look. Solid, metallic, pearlescent, matte, special paint, you name ’em. So what does the name mean and how will your car look on the streets when the tyres are rolling?
1. Solid: Usually applied in single step, this type of finish has very limited shades. But, if you’re a fan of solid colours, this is the right type for you.
2. Metallic: Almost similar to how solid paint is, the difference lies in the powdered metal added into the paint. This gives the finishing an appealing shine. Plus, it helps hide bits of defect and scratches from afar.
3. Pearlescent: Pearlescent paint uses “mica” in the mixture to give that depth and shimmer in the end product. Sure is fantastic to look at but your bank better be a sea of dollars.
4. Matte: As the name suggests, this is not about the shine but instead about the classic look of cars from the 1930s. But it’s a lot trickier to apply than a regular paint, because you can’t buff out any imperfections.
5. Special: It’s not exactly one paint in particular but a mixture of multi paints layered on top of each other. It’s worth a note of caution that though this effect is quite cool, it’s hard to achieve the same kind of shine that you get with metallic or pearlescent paint and it goes without saying that it’s both phenomenally expensive to buy and to repair.
So once you’re done choosing your new paint, how about coating it to protect the longevity? High quality paint + high quality coating = high resale value, if ever you wanna sell your baby.
About IGL Coatings
Established in 2015, IGL Coatings quickly become one of the most trusted names in the automotive detailing industry worldwide. IGL’s reach and worldwide success can be attributed to its commitment and dedication towards innovation, sustainability, customer satisfaction and technology.
IGL Coatings is a global market leader in the development and manufacturing of
innovative surface protection solutions. With a strong commitment to research and development. IGL Coatings creates industry-leading coatings that deliver exceptional durability, enhanced aesthetics, and environmental sustainability. Trusted by professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. IGL Coatings dedicates itself to revolutionizing the automotive, marine, and industrial sectors with cutting-edge technologies and unparalleled customer support.
For more information about our products, services, and partnerships, please visit our website iglcoatings.com or contact us via
marketing@iglcoatings.com
