Painting & Refinishing Flashcards

Orange peel texture in a clearcoat is most often the result of what?

Answer: Improper atomization, high viscosity, or insufficient flow-out

Poor atomization or thick material prevents the clear from leveling, leaving a peel-like texture.

Before applying basecoat, why is a tack cloth used?

Answer: To remove dust and lint from the surface

A tack cloth lifts loose dust and lint just before painting to prevent contamination in the finish.

What does HVLP stand for in spray gun technology?

Answer: High Volume Low Pressure

HVLP guns deliver a high volume of air at low pressure for better transfer efficiency and less overspray.

Solvent popping (small craters) in a cured film usually indicates what?

Answer: Solvents trapped under the surface from coats too heavy or baked too soon

Heavy coats or premature baking trap solvent that bursts through, causing pinholes and craters.

When blending a basecoat into an adjacent panel, the main goal is to:

Answer: Gradually feather the new color so the transition is invisible

Blending feathers the color outward so the eye cannot detect where new meets old.

Which factor most directly affects how a metallic color appears lighter or darker?

Answer: Air pressure, gun distance, and the amount of reducer

Spray variables like pressure, distance, and reduction change flake orientation, shifting the color lighter or darker.

What is the purpose of a sealer applied over primer before basecoat?

Answer: To provide uniform color holdout and improve adhesion and hide

Sealer creates a uniform foundation that improves color holdout, adhesion, and hides primer differences.