Urethane Basecoat

Urethane Basecoat

Choosing the Best Type of Auto Paint for Your Car

There's no one answer that covers every situation rather answers or suggestions that are dependent on each situation in a refinishing job. There are many factors that go into choosing which is the best type of paint for your needs but final appearance, ease of use, cost, and durability are the biggest factors most consider. If we focus on these considerations and walk you through the process hopefully we will have helped you make the right decision for your situation.

To Prime or Not to Prime?

The short answer to this question is always use the proper primer system whenever you can afford to do so. Most car owners are unaware of the process of finishing a car to a "class A" finish. The first step to ensuring a quality paint job that lasts is the proper selection and use of a primer. Primer is a broad category encompassing anti-corrosive primers which prevent metal surfaces from corroding, primer surfacers which fill small dings, dents and scratches, primer sealers which seal off undercoats in preparation for applying color coats, and adhesion primers whose primary function is to ensure adhesion to a particular surface. This may seem overwhelming to the beginner but bear in mind that not all of those types of primers are always required and many primer products will function in multiple roles. We'll give more detail on which primers are best in our next section. If you are on a really tight budget and your paint is in pretty good condition (no cracking, peeling, severe gloss loss, fading etc) then primer may not be necessary. However, you should check with the manufacturer of the paint brand you select to confirm they recommend use without a primer.

What kind of primer should I buy?

As we discussed in the previous section there are a lot of primer options available. Choosing the right primer is depends on the condition of your vehicle but we'll do our best to distill it down to a few of the best options. If you have any bare metal on your vehicle we strongly recommend a 2K (2 part) epoxy primer. Epoxy primer is the best for adhesion to metal and providing corrosion resistance. It's likely you don't have bare metal on your car to begin with but part of the refinishing process typically would involve sanding areas smooth and applying body filler as needed which will likely expose some bare metal. Often only a quart or two is needed to spot prime areas where bare metal is exposed. However, serious restoration projects often involve priming the entire vehicle with epoxy primer as added insurance for corrosion resistance and adhesion. On areas where there is a lot of small dings, scratches or body filler it's a good idea to use a 2K (two part) urethane primer surfacer. Urethane primers typically offer better filling and sanding than epoxy primer so a combination of epoxy primer for the adhesion and corrosion to metal followed by a good urethane primer for filling and sanding is the perfect "one two punch" for preparing your vehicle for painting. If your vehicle is in pretty good shape already, (meaning it doesn't have a lot of dings, scratches, flaking etc), a 2K urethane sealer is a great option for providing a good foundation for your color coats. Some paint manufacturers offer urethane sealer in a wide range of colors so you can match the color of your primer closer to the color of your final finish. Matching the color of your primer closer to the color of your final finish reduces the amount of color coats (usually the most expensive part) needed and when those inevitable stone chips or scratches happen they are less visible over a color keyed primer than over just a typical grey primer in most cases. For primer selection we generally recommend avoiding lacquer type primers, aerosol or spray bomb primers, and enamel primers due to potential issues with recoatability, and durability long term.

What kind of color coat should I use?

There are a lot of color coat options available to auto paint refinishers today with varying performance and costs. Knowing the durability, appearance performance, and general cost of these various types of product I would highly recommend either purchasing a 2K (2 part) urethane single stage topcoat or, preferentially, a urethane basecoat/clearcoat system. A urethane single stage is a product that provides both the color of your finish and the gloss sheen in one product while a basecoat/clearcoat system consists of a color layer (the basecoat) and an additional layer (called clearcoat) to provide the final gloss appearance. It may appear the urethane single stage is the obvious route because it requires only one product to achieve both gloss and color, however, despite the added cost and extra steps, a vast majority of all cars rolling off assembly lines today are painted with a basecoat/clearcoat process. Basecoat/Clearcoat offers enhanced metallic and pearlescent application and effect and generally last longer than single stage finishes. Early in the finish life cycle basecoat/clearcoat and single stage finishes may have similar appearance but as time goes on the basecoat/clearcoat finish will require less maintenance (ie waxing and detailing) to maintain the high gloss finish. Costs are higher for a base/clear system versus a single stage system but the overall service life improvements will reduce maintenance cost and likely preserve a greater resale value for your vehicle. Savvy shoppers are finding deals online for basecoar/clearcoat kits that are comparable or even less in cost than many single stage finishes.

For more details on the various types of auto paints available and pros and cons of each visit our web site here: Types of Auto Paint

William Purvis is the Director of Technology for Bayou Innovations, LLC, a firm that specializes in the development, and marketing of specialty paints and coatings.

 

About the Author

Gerson Company GRS20001B 2000 Basecoat / Clearcoat Tack Cloth $80.58 Features and Benefits Compatible with all paints including lacquers acrylic enamels urethane epoxies and waterborne Wax/silicone free Full 18 x 36 per cloth Non toxic works on all metal wood plastic and fiberglass Made from surgical grade bleached gauzeLow dry tack designed for multicoat automotive paint systems. Manufactured from the finest heatset resins to assure complete removal of particulates without leaving harmful residue. Approved by leading OEM s.nbsp; 12 cloths per box/ 12 boxes per case.

X-Metals basecoat $6.46 Add style to a bike, scooter, wagon, metal basket, or skateboard with X metals. Turn ordinary metal into the coolest metal colors. Anodized colors formulated to work over shiny, bar chrome. Resists heat up to 500 degrees F intermittent. Use basecoat first over painted surfaces.X-Metals come in 11 oz. spray cans.

Iwata IWA5662 LPH400134LVX Extreme Basecoat Spray Gun With 700 ML Cup $897.09 The LVX eXtreme basecoat technology was developed for use with 9095 percent of basecoat colors and engineered to provide increased productivity in application with solvent or waterborne basecoats. The LPH400LVX is much faster than the competition and has an ultra smooth application with no technique change. This model is shipped with 700ml cup. LV technology for a 11.8 inch tulip pattern thus more material in pattern and less overspray. Applicable in solvent or waterborne products. Low air consumption. Superior atomization. Center post gravity HVLP spray gun.

Iwata IWA5673 LPH400144LVX Extreme Basecoat Spray Gun With 1000ML Cup $897.09 The LVX eXtreme basecoat technology was developed for use with 9095 percent of basecoat colors and engineered to provide increased productivity in application with solvent or waterborne basecoats. The LPH400LVX is much faster than the competition and has an ultra smooth application with no technique change. This model is shipped with the gun and 1000ml cup and has a 1.4 nozzle size. LV Technology for less overspray and fine atomization. LVX air cap designed for 95 percent of all base coats where productivity and speed are a must. Applicable in clear coat solvent and waterborne products. Low air consumption operates on 9.5 CFM. Ultra smooth application with no technique change.

Iwata IWA5672 LPH400144LVX Extreme Basecoat Spray Gun With 700ML Cup $897.09 The LVX eXtreme basecoat technology was developed for use with 9095 percent of basecoat colors and engineered to provide increased productivity in application with solvent or waterborne basecoats. The LPH400LVX is much faster than the competition and has an ultra smooth application with no technique change. This model is shipped with the gun and 700ml cup and has a 1.4 nozzle size. LV technology for less overspray and fine atomization. LVX cap designed for 95 percent of mid range base coats where productivity and speed are a must. Applicable in clear coat all solvent and waterborne products. Low air consumption operates on 9.5 CFM. Ultra smooth application with no technique change.

Iwata IWA5660 LPH400134LVX Extreme Basecoat Gun Only 1.3MM $805.14 The LVX eXtreme basecoat technology was developed for use with 9095 percent of basecoat colors and engineered to provide increased productivity in application with solvent or waterborne basecoats. The LPH400LVX is much faster than the competition and has an ultra smooth application with no technique change. This model is shipped with the gun only. LV technology for a 11.8 inch tulip pattern thus more material in pattern and less overspray. Applicable in solvent or waterborne products. LVX air cap designed for all midrange colors where productivity and speed are a must. Allows for no technique change. Low air consumption.

Urethane Transmission Mount by Rubicon Express $49.99 Transmission Mount; Urethane;

Iwata LPH400-134LVX eXtreme Basecoat Spray Gun. Each $585.94 Manufacturer: Iwata. Each. Features and Benefits: LV technology for a 11.8 inch tulip pattern thus more material in pattern and less overspray Applicable in solvent or waterborne products LVX air cap designed for all midrange colors where productivity an

Iwata LPH400-144LVX eXtreme Basecoat Spray Gun. Each $571.49 Manufacturer: Iwata. Each. Features and Benefits: LV Technology for less overspray and fine atomization LVX cap designed for 95% of mid range colors where productivity and speed are a must Low air consumption Applicable in solvent or waterborne products

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Win Body Kits - Urethane Sideskirts [2003-2006 Infiniti G35 2dr] $325 Urethane WinSideskirts

Urethane C Bushing $151.99 Urethane C Bushing; 6 Deg.; Tracking Arm And Strut Arm;

Extreme Dimensions Standard Urethane Rollpan [97-03 F150] $169 Urethane Roll Pan

Sarona Eyebrows - Urethane [97-02 Ford Expedition] $71 Sarona Eyebrows - Urethane

KBD Wiper Cowls - Urethane [99-02 Chevrolet Silverado] $88 KBD Wiper Cowls - Urethane

KBD Roll Pans - Urethane [97-02 Ford F150] $104 KBD Roll Pans - Urethane

KBD Roll Pans - Urethane [94-99 Chevrolet S10] $104 KBD Roll Pans - Urethane

KBD Wiper Cowls - Urethane [94-99 Chevrolet S10] $88 KBD Wiper Cowls - Urethane

KBD Roll Pans - Urethane [99-02 Chevrolet Silverado] $104 KBD Roll Pans - Urethane

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Colt Body Kits - Urethane Side Skirt [1999-2004 Ford Mustang] $349 Urethane Colt Side Skirt

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Colt Body Kits - Urethane Front Bumper [1999-2004 Ford Mustang] $349 Urethane Colt Front Bumper

Extreme Dimensions Urethane M-1 Speed Body Kits - Urethane Sideskirts [2004-2008 Mazda Rx-8] $349 Urethane M-1 Speed Sideskirts

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Win Body Kits - Urethane Rear Lip [2003-2006 Infiniti G35 2dr] $349 Urethane WinRear Lip

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Win Body Kits - Urethane Front Lip [2003-2006 Infiniti G35 2dr] $349 Urethane WinFront Lip

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Win Body Kits - Urethane Front Lip [2005-2006 Infiniti G35 4dr] $349 Urethane WinFront lip

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Colt Body Kits - Urethane Rear Bumper [1999-2004 Ford Mustang] $349 Urethane Colt Rear Bumper

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Colt Body Kits - Urethane Full Kit [1999-2004 Ford Mustang] $949 Urethane Colt Body Kit

Extreme Dimensions Urethane RS Body Kits - Urethane Front Lip [1992-1995 Honda Civic 2dr/HB] $199 Urethane RS Front Lip

Extreme Dimensions Urethane Spoone Body Kits - Urethane Front Lip [1992-1995 Honda Civic 2dr/HB] $249 Urethane Spoone Front Lip

Urethane Wheel Spacers $99.95 Moose Racing Urethane Wheel Spacers Made from Urethane elastomer with titanium and graphite for added strength Wheel spacers will give your ATV more stability and better handling Sold in pairs Made in the USA

Urethane Bushings; Body Bushing $87.29 Fits 2002 TJ Wrangler;Black;Urethane body bushing JEEP WRANGLER (97-06TJ) SAHARA SE SPORT X 2002 2.5L (150) 4L Power Tech (242) GAS Urethane Bushings; Body Bushing

Pro-Style Urethane Dumbbells $711.04 Hampton's New Pro-Style Urethane Dumbbell is backed by a Five Year Commercial Warranty; A new twist on the classic pro-style fixed dumbbell, which is extremely efficient and effective for any health club environment. The Urethane Plates are secured by our patented DURA-LOCK end cap system, therefore, virtually Maintenance-free. The Pro-Style Urethane Dumbbell is equipped with three handle options: the Urethane Coated Snug-Grip, Contoured Steel, and Straight Steel. Sizes available from 5-lbs. to 130-lbs.