How to Paint in Tri-Color Paint With a Spray Gun

Tri-color paints involve the use of two mid-coats between the base and clear.

Tri-color paint is applied in the same way that regular paint is applied, except that it uses a base coat of paint with between one and three layers of color pigment between the base coat and the clear top coat. A two-color flip is achieved with a base coat combined with a single coat of color pigment. Tri-color paint is achieved using the same base coat combined with two-color pigment coats.

Things You'll Need

• Soap and water
• Clean rags
• Gray automotive scuff pad
• Wax and grease remover
• Paint strainer
• Air compressor with air lines
• Spray gun cleaner

Instructions

1. Clean and prep the vehicle to be painted by first washing it with soap and water, then drying it with a clean rag. After the vehicle is clean, wipe the surface with wax and grease remover applied to a different clean rag. This removes additional road-tar and wax that may contaminate the paint.

2. Scuff the surface to be painted using the gray automotive scuff pad. Because the paint will not stick to glossy surfaces, it is important to completely remove all traces of gloss from the paint surface. If the vehicle is already painted a dark color, such as black or dark blue, you may omit applying the base coat.

3. Mask off areas of the vehicle with masking tape and paper that you do not wish to apply paint to. These areas include the windows, wheels and tires, engine and plastic trim parts.

4. Fill the spray gun's paint cup with the base coat by placing the strainer over the paint cup opening and pouring the base paint in through the mesh strainer. Install the lid of the cup, then insert the air-line fitting into the fitting at the base of the spray gun. Set the spray gun's spray pattern to its widest setting, using the knob located on the side of the spray gun. Next, set the air pressure for the gun to 20 pounds-per-square-inch, using the knob located at the base of the gun. Set the fluid control valve, located at the top of the spray gun, to its medium setting. These settings are used throughout the painting process.

5. Apply the base coat to the vehicle, overlapping each pass with the spray gun by 1/2 of the spray pattern to ensure proper coverage and avoid lines or streaks in the base coat. Allow the base coat to tack up for 10 minutes before applying the first mid-coat.

6. Clean out the spray gun thoroughly using spray gun cleaner, then load the first mid-coat into the spray gun cup as you did the base coat. Apply the first mid-coat onto the base coat of paint, and then allow it to tack up for 10 minutes before applying the second mid-coat.

7. Clean out the spray gun once again with cleaner, then load the spray gun cup with the second mid-coat. Apply this mid-coat on top of the first mid-coat, and then allow it to tack up for 15 to 20 minutes before applying the clear top coat. If you are painting on a cool day, with the temperature below 60 degrees, allow the mid-coat to tack up for 30 minutes before applying the clear top coat. On hot, low-humidity days, the top coat can be applied within 10 minutes of spraying the second mid-coat.

8. Clean the spray gun thoroughly once again, and then fill the paint cup with the clear top coat, again using a strainer to prevent debris from entering the top coat. Spray the clear top coat onto the vehicle, working slowly but evenly to avoid runs or dry areas in the clear top coat. Allow the clear coat to tack up for five minutes between coats, and apply three coats of clear. Allow the clear to dry overnight before sanding an buffing the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose color shifts that complement or match the interior colors of your vehicle.

References

• "Automotive Paint Handbook"; John Pfanstiehl; 1998
• "How to Paint Your Car"; Dennis Parks; 2003
• "Painting and Finishing Techniques"; Gary Edmundson; 2010