PRO PAINT TIPS

FORGET TAGGING, PAINT CARS

AEROSOLS ARE often viewed as an inferior method of painting panels. They shouldn’t be. While that stereotype may have been correct twenty years ago, aerosol technology has now advanced substantially. They are no longer the preserve of undiscerning hobbyists or bodge-it-and-scarper motor traders.

If modern aerosols are used properly, the quality can be just as good as paint applied with a compressor and spray gun. They’re widely used in professional body shops.

The ease of set-up and lack of cleaning up afterwards means they’re often the most convenient and cost-effective solution for individual panels or multiple small repairs.

All this means they’re ideal for DIY use. They enable you to achieve professional results without specialist equipment.

The range of coatings is extensive: etch primers, weld-through primers, red-oxide primer in colours other than red, high-build primers in any colour you fancy, guide coats and, of course, a huge array of top-coat and lacquer systems. Car paint specialists and some Autobarn and Supercheap Auto branches can mix top-coats from colour codes or from existing paintwork and offer advice on the best systems to use in specific situations.

Perfect results are achieved through meticulous preparation and good spraying technique. Practice is the only way to become a master of the art-form, but following this guide will enable you to get good results from your first attempt.