Painting & Refinishing Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of applying a primer-surfacer before basecoat?

Answer: To fill minor imperfections and provide a sandable, uniform surface

Primer-surfacer fills small scratches and sand marks and can be sanded smooth to level the surface before color.

A solvent that evaporates too quickly in hot conditions most commonly causes which defect?

Answer: Dry spray or poor flow

A reducer that flashes too fast prevents the paint from flowing out, leaving a rough, dry-spray texture.

What does the term 'flash time' refer to in refinishing?

Answer: The interval allowing solvents to evaporate between coats

Flash time is the period between coats that lets solvents escape before the next coat is applied.

Fish eyes in a fresh paint film are typically caused by what contaminant?

Answer: Silicone, oil, or wax on the surface

Silicone and oily contamination repels paint, creating crater-like fish eyes.

When color-matching, what is the purpose of spraying a 'let-down' or test panel?

Answer: To verify the color match and metallic appearance before painting the vehicle

A spray-out/let-down panel confirms the blended color matches before committing to the actual repair.

Which spray technique helps avoid mottling in metallic basecoats?

Answer: Consistent gun distance with proper overlap and adequate flash between coats

Even gun distance, correct overlap, and proper flash let the metallic flakes lay uniformly.

What is the function of a hardener (activator) in a two-component (2K) coating?

Answer: To chemically cross-link the resin so the film cures

The hardener triggers the chemical cross-linking reaction that cures 2K paints to a durable film.