What Tools Do I Need to Prime My Car for Paint?
Automotive primers provide an essential protective barrier between repaired areas on car panels and topcoats. They prevent corrosion and promote adhesion, and also assist with the wet flatting process, which entails rubbing down the primed surface with wet or dry abrasive paper to ensure a smooth and even working area.
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Masking Equipment
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The most common tools for priming a car are masking tape and masking paper. Typically, you also need a utility knife to trim the paper to size, and scissors for cutting out masking blocks for small apertures and windows. Covering the rest of the vehicle with polythene sheeting prevents overspray during priming.
Sanding Equipment
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Cars generally require light sanding before priming. If you're doing a spot repair, you may be able to sand it by hand with a piece of fine-grit sandpaper. For larger areas, you can save time and effort by using an electric buffer equipped with a soft sanding pad that adapts to the vehicle's contours.
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Spray Gun
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HVLP guns disperse a high volume of primer at low pressure, which promotes effective application. Check that the gun is fitted with the correct fluid tip and needle to ensure sufficient material flow. Use a mixing stick with ratio markings when adding hardener and thinners. Once you've activated the primer, add it to the gun. A high-build primer will provide a thicker application that covers minor discrepancies in any repair work.
Aerosol Primer
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Although paint guns are perfect for spraying complete panels, use an aerosol primer for any spot repairs. Avoid cellulose-based aerosol primers, as these have a tendency to react with the latest auto paint systems.
Templates
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Use of a template reduces overspray when you're priming spot repairs. You can make a template with a large piece of cardboard and a utility knife. Measure the area requiring spot repair, and use the knife to cut an appropriately sized hole in the cardboard. Lay the template against the vehicle panel before priming.
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References
- Photo Credit spray image by Dragana Petrovic from Fotolia.com
