3 modern ways to select car paint

Methods for selecting paintwork

To answer the question: “How to choose paint?”, consider each of the following several ways to choose it:

Tinting car enamels is the process of making paint based on a sample.

1. If you need to match the paint for a car that is painted in the factory color, the easiest way is to look for a plate or sticker with the corresponding information on the body. At the paint and varnish composition factory, each car enamel contains a certain ratio of components. Selection of paint by code is a technique for quickly finding the required shade. But you will not find a sticker indicating the paintwork tone for a car according to a special designation on every car. Selecting paint according to the code is not suitable for everyone - if a car owner wants to repaint individual car parts with a combination of paintwork, difficulties sometimes arise.
2. Try to choose the paint for your car using your eye meter. This option does not require financial costs. Remove one component that is convenient to transport (usually the gas tank cap). Choose a shade using this method yourself or with the help of a colorist in a store, but keep in mind that the likelihood of making a mistake here is greatest. Partial selection of paint colors often due to errors requires more expense due to repainting. And sometimes the paint tint on a car needs to be removed and reapplied.
3. The selection of paints by color is performed by a spectrophotometer device.
4. Car paint is selected using computer technology. Special programs for determining the shade of automotive paints on cars are offered on a number of Russian and foreign websites. In some programs, you upload a photo of your vehicle, and an algorithm for determining the shade of car paints will compare saturation, contrast and other parameters with the proposed options. The programs determine the tone of the paint for a car, regardless of how long ago it was applied, the year of manufacture of the car, or fading of the composition due to exposure to sunlight.

The difference between alkyd paint and acrylic paint

Consumers are often interested in the question: which paint is better - alkyd or acrylic enamel and what is their difference.
In order to get an answer to these questions, you need to familiarize yourself with the purpose of each option, their differences in composition, as well as positive and negative qualities. Acrylic paint consists largely of acrylic, which, due to its chemical properties, is called a polymer emulsion. To give a substance color, color pigments are added. The main difference between enamel is the absence of the pungent odor characteristic of other substances, which is due to the use of water as a solvent. The composition also includes special additions that affect the material’s resistance to temperature changes and improve its viscosity.

Alkyd paint consists largely of alkyd varnish, color pigments and a kerosene-based solvent. Some paints contain additives that have fire-fighting, antifungal and antiseptic effects. That is why such enamels are often used for woodworking.

Where is the VIN code?

A VIN code is a unique combination of Latin letters and Arabic numbers that is assigned to each vehicle. From it you can find out the main characteristics of the car, including the paint number.

Most manufacturers indicate both the VIN and the paint code on the vehicle and in the PTS (color name without code). Therefore, it is better to check the information on the body and decipher it correctly: the paint number and the required shade will be indicated there.

On different cars, the VIN code is located in different parts of the car. For new cars, information about the VIN code will be provided to you by dealers; for used cars, you will have to look for the nameplate yourself.

Traditional nameplate with VIN code can be located:

• at the center pillar on the driver's side;
• under any seat (passenger or driver);
• on the windshield (in the lower left part in a special window);
• at the bottom of the trunk;
• under the hood.

Note! During theft and major repairs, the car may be completely repainted, and its color will not match the factory one. Therefore, when buying a used car, always check these parameters

Individual approach

A mediocre colorist doesn't go into detail. Given a color sample (for example, a gas filler flap), he uses the existing color matching program to obtain the most suitable shade. In addition to the main paint code, systems offer several varieties of it - the tone is slightly darker or lighter. These are so-called service formulas, which take into account the effect of different barrels at the plant. In reality, this approach is ineffective.

Methods for selecting car paint

Visual selection of paint for a car

Visual selection of paint seems to be the simplest and least expensive. However, the result of painting after drying may differ greatly from the sample declared by the manufacturer, and will require additional costs to eliminate coating defects, such as spots of inappropriate color, rough transitions, and even peeling of the repair composition. You can also choose a can of spray paint yourself if the car owner wants to tune the car with airbrushing or highlight individual elements of the car body. But we should not forget that work of this level also requires certain skills and artistic talent of the master.

Computer selection of paint for a car

Being an innovation, this computer technology, using special programs, selects the required color shade according to a code often engraved on permanent body parts during factory assembly. At the same time, the visual characteristics of the original coating are compared with the proposed options from the database of factory paintwork of cars of the same brand, taking into account the model of your car, modifications and year of manufacture.

Computer selection of paint for cars

A number of advantages of computer selection make this method very popular among car owners:

• The method does not require expensive equipment, which means the cost of the service is relatively low;
• There is no need for complete painting if the car has a short lifespan, since the result is highly likely to please you;
• In some cases, this method allows you to avoid dismantling the damaged part and keep the factory assembly in its original form;
• The colorist carries out all the necessary test paints and, if necessary, adjusts the paint composition until it is completely similar to the original body color.

Mixing paint to desired color

The computer program for selecting car enamel has many functions and capabilities, so the desired color is selected regardless of the age of the car. The colorist also visually compares the samples obtained from different angles (especially if the paint contains reflective particles), and sometimes even under different lighting conditions.

Program for selecting paint for a car

When selecting enamel, the colorist is often left with the gas tank flap or another part of the car body. It should be noted that on some cars the body is made of metal, and small parts are made of plastic. At the same time, the difference between the factory painting of such parts and the main body color can be noticeable to the naked eye.

The use of materials from different companies will have a negative impact on the painting result. If this condition is not met, the manufacturer does not guarantee that the result will be a high-quality, even coating of high strength and without defects.

Selection of paint by car VIN code

The VIN code (Vehicle Identification Number) of your car allows you to easily obtain a comprehensive amount of information about the device and features of the vehicle. Also, the combination of code characters serves as reliable protection of the car from illegal and unauthorized actions (theft, repainting, risky modifications). Please note that the code does not directly indicate the color of the car, but the code is unique. Special computer programs make it possible to determine, by a combination of code characters, the most suitable color of automobile enamel from the list of proposed options in the car manufacturers' databases.

An example of car paint identification by VIN number

Selecting paint for a car using a spectrophotometer

The spectrophotometer is a device for efficient and high-precision selection of paint coatings. With the help of such equipment, the process becomes less time-consuming and allows you to avoid unnecessary waste of material in the process of making paint according to a recipe. Advantages of this method:

• No body code is required to select the desired shade. The fact is that not all cars have an individual code, or such a code may become irrelevant as a result of repainting the body.
• The spectrophotometer also allows you to take into account the burnout of the pigment of the original coating.
• This method allows you to avoid the negative influence of the human factor. Since the color perception of the colorist and the car owner can differ significantly, choosing paint can become problematic for both parties.

The method of selecting auto enamel using a spectrophotometer is quite expensive, but it allows you to find the right paint recipe with high accuracy, even for so-called problem colors.

Selecting paint for a car using a spectrophotometer

In a reputable workshop, before painting the body parts, the colorist will give you a test paint with your paint. If two-layer painting is necessary, the test plate is additionally coated with varnish. In addition, the colorist will inform you about the method of applying paint, the intensity (spray gun pressure) and the color of the base coat. In colors such as pearl, metallic and xerallic, the method of applying the paint (wet, semi-wet and dry) is also of great importance.

Test paint for a car

If the selection and production of paint was carried out in one service, and you want to paint the car in another workshop, the painter must also do preliminary test paints. Ideally, the paint plates made by the colorist and the painter should match.

If you need to leave the car to select paint, then this should be done in sunny weather, in good sunlight

This is especially important for repairing dark metallic, pearlescent and three-layer coated vehicles.

Of course, you should contact professionals who will not only select the recipe and produce the paint, but also carry out the coloring using the required technology. When doing local repairs to the coating in several places on the body, professionals carry out the selection individually, because the color fades on the car body unevenly. It happens that a tandem of a colorist and a painter produces not just one repair composition, but 2-3 paint and varnish mixtures, barely distinguishable in shades. Especially when the car is stationary in an open space for a long time and one side burns out more strongly.

Advice! If you are faced with the need to select paintwork for the first time, remember or write down the date you contacted the workshop or the serial number of the order. In case of repeated contact, finishing the coloring and adjusting the finished recipe (if necessary) will take less time.

Car painting: expert advice

The reason for painting a car could be an accident, the appearance of pockets of corrosion, or simply a desire to refresh the appearance of the body. In any case, you will have to fork out a decent amount, and it will be a shame if the paint does not last long and all efforts and finances are wasted

Mikhail Ozherelyev
Before taking the car to a specialized workshop, it would not hurt the car owner to once again study what, in fact, makes up a high-quality paint job. In general, painting is divided into complete, partial (elements) and local (transitions). And as a rule, appropriate materials and technologies are selected for each painting method.

MATERIALS

All paint and varnish materials used in car repair are usually divided into basic (paints, enamels, primers and putties) and auxiliary (solvents, thinners, removers, compositions for preparation for painting).

If we talk about basic materials, then first of all we should mention putties. Applying putty is necessary if there are uneven surfaces on the surface to be treated. It is believed that putty is the only product that is intended to restore the shape of a damaged part of an automobile body or cabin, although more recently, when the number of putties had not yet reached the required level, low-melting solders were used for the same purpose. Due to very low manufacturability, this material is now almost never used by anyone. It was replaced by polyester putties, which are included in all the numerous systems of repair materials used by car painters. These two-component products consist of a putty compound - an unsaturated polyester resin with various fillers and additives.

Test coating samples are dried in such a cabinet.

In the assortment of companies specializing in the production of auxiliary materials, you can find a good dozen putties with different properties, but only 3-4 of them are most often used when repairing cars. For example, fiberglass-reinforced putties can be used to level out deep dents (allowing a thick layer to be obtained in one pass), and universal putties are used both as a filler and as a finishing material. Sprayed putties are also widely used in body repair. They are applied with a spray gun in thick layers and therefore allow you to effectively treat large surfaces. The high solids content gives these products special filling properties and also guarantees fast drying and no pores.

The air intended for the spray gun undergoes additional filtration

Regardless of the type of putty used, leveled surfaces must be primed before painting. When choosing a primer, you must take into account the color of the paint. For example, when using black, the primer should be dark, and when painting silver, it should be light. In some branded paint systems, there are special primers for painting the area between the repaired area and the new coating using the “transition” method. This technique ensures proper orientation of the effective pigments.

Now about enamels. The enamel selected for painting must not only satisfy decorative requirements (color, gloss), but also have certain physical and mechanical properties (hardness, elasticity, strength), which are determined by the chemical composition of the product. According to the chemical composition, all modern automotive enamels can be divided into three groups: alkyd, melamine-alkyd (ML), acrylic.

Alkyd paints and varnishes made on the basis of acids and polyhydric alcohols are usually called alkyd. Alkyd enamels (also called resin enamels) appeared in the 1950s. Their main feature is polymerization at room temperature under the influence of oxygen contained in the air. It is believed that due to the thicker layer than nitro enamels, this material has better covering ability and is more resistant to our bad weather and frost. For the production of alkyd paints and varnishes, glypthal or pentaphthalic resins can be used, which are designated on the label as GF and PF, respectively. The latter are still widely used for painting trucks and public transport. They provide a coating of lower quality than nitrocellulose enamels, but dry at high temperatures in the chamber (120–135 degrees) in just a few minutes and require the application of only two layers - “developing” and the main one, which has significantly simplified the technology and accelerated manufacturing process. The main advantages of alkyd enamels include ease of use, low cost and, most importantly, resistance to chemical and physical influences. Among the disadvantages is the length of the drying process. However, this parameter can be improved with the help of a hardener, provided that it is the same brand as the enamel. Among alkyd enamels, Sadolin (Filand) and Mobihel (Slovenia) are well known today.

The spray booth provides not only the required temperature and air exchange parameters, but also compliance with environmental standards

Melamine-alkyd enamels belonging to the second group do not require either atmospheric air or an additional substance - a hardener - for polymerization; the coating is already quite reliable, hard and at the same time elastic. Films based on ML enamels are superior to glypthal and pentaphthalic ones in weather resistance, have good gloss without polishing, high hardness and elasticity. The only drawback of ML automotive enamels is that they harden at temperatures above 100 degrees, which means that their use is impossible outside of special spray booths. These enamels are represented by the Yaroslavl-developed products ML-1110 and ML-111, which dry at 130 degrees in 30 minutes.

As for the representatives of the third group - acrylic enamels, their appearance opened a new era in the auto repair business. Acrylic enamels are water-dispersion paints based on polyacrylates (mainly polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl acrylates), as well as their copolymers as film formers. Their advantages, compared to alkyd enamels, are a higher dry residue (low content of harmful volatile substances) and, as a result, less enamel consumption to obtain a coating of the required thickness. Acrylic paints are usually applied in two stages, when the color of the coating is given by the so-called base layer, and the remaining functions of the enamel film are performed by a layer of transparent varnish applied to the base. By the way, according to the dry matter content, varnishes are divided into two classes - MS (Medium Solid) and HS (Hight Solid). The first group with an average dry matter content is classical materials, which contain many volatile organic compounds. They are applied in two layers with mandatory interlayer aging. The second group is products with a high solids content (the amount of harmful volatile substances does not exceed 400 g/l). These materials can be applied in one and a half layers with minimal interlayer aging. HS class varnishes are not only safer for the environment, but also easy to use, which is why they are becoming increasingly widespread in auto repair shops and service stations.

A pair of infrared spotlights with short-wave lamps can heat a surface area of ​​2.8 m2

The main manufacturers of acrylic car enamels are the Dutch Akzo Nobel (Sikkens brand), the American DuPont (Cromax), and the German BASF. Domestic acrylic enamels are represented by the Vika brand (for example, AK-1301 enamel). They have high physical, mechanical and decorative properties, increased wear resistance, and most importantly, a lower drying temperature (at 80 degrees - 30 minutes, at 20 degrees - 24 hours). Surfaces coated with these enamels are distinguished by their special shine, resistance to any weather conditions, as well as oil and gasoline resistance, due to which the appearance of the coating is preserved for a long time. If we compare acrylic enamel in terms of drying temperature with the usual melamine-alkyd enamel, then the advantages will be on the side of acrylic.

TECHNOLOGIES

There is no doubt that the quality of a car’s painting is affected not only by the chosen auto enamel, but also by the painting and drying equipment used. What is the list of this equipment? To understand, let's consider the technological chain, starting with the process of applying primer and ending with final drying. To apply primer and enamel to the surfaces being treated, airborne, airless and electrostatic spraying is used (based on the physical phenomenon of the transfer of charged particles in an electric field). The last two are not of practical interest to us, since they are used mainly on an industrial scale, but it’s worth dwelling on pneumatic spraying in more detail. Agree that a spray gun is one of the main tools used in car refinishing. To obtain high-quality coatings, it is necessary to correctly select the desired sprayer model and its operating mode.

Applying putty is necessary if there are uneven surfaces on the surface to be treated.

So, today there are three main types of spray guns on the market, differing in material spraying systems. HP (High Pressure) spray guns are considered a classic for the auto repair industry. The paint gun of this system sprays the material at high pressure; at the outlet of the head it is about 1.2–1.5 atm. Air consumption when working with such paint sprayers can be considered quite low - from 100 to 300 l/min. A wide torch promotes uniform application of the material at a relatively high speed. The disadvantages of HP system spray guns include a low percentage of paint transfer (approximately 45%, the rest ricochets off the surface and turns into fog) and increased air turbulence, which leads to high contamination of the painted surface.

The second type of hand-held spray gun, the HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) system, was developed in the 1980s to protect the environment. The highlight of the design is the special structure of the air channels of the gun, thanks to which paint is sprayed at a low outlet pressure (about 0.7 atm) and a fairly high inlet pressure (2.5–3.0 atm). Due to the new design of the sprayer, it was possible to achieve increased material transfer rates (over 70%), which gives the right to consider the HVLP system not only economical, but also environmentally friendly. The other side of the coin is the high consumption of compressed air (from 360 l/min), which must be taken into account when choosing a compressor. Since the material should be applied with such a spray gun quite close to the surface to be painted, approximately 12–15 cm, high professionalism is required from the painter.

A mixing installation is a mandatory attribute of a modern laboratory for the selection of auto enamels.

Finally, the third system we are considering is abbreviated LVLP (Low Volume Low Pressure). This fairly recent development is a compromise between HVLP and HP. The designers have tried to eliminate the disadvantages inherent in the above spray systems. Having a pressure of 0.7–1.2 atm at the outlet and about 2 atm at the inlet, we obtain paint transfer of 65% with a relatively low air flow. Increasing the distance from the gun to the surface when applying paint-varnish to 25 cm makes it easier to paint hard-to-reach places.

The colorist's lamp is used as a universal light source for work related to the selection of paints

As can be seen from the information above, sprayers with an LVLP material transfer system are most suitable for garage repair requirements, but at the same time there are many more nuances that influence the choice. This includes the manufacturer, the cost, and, of course, the compressor with which a particular spray gun will work.

A separate and very important issue concerns the preparation of the room in which painting will be done. An ordinary repair box, where there is a lot of dust and dirt, is hardly acceptable in this case, because problems with the roughness of a freshly painted surface cannot be avoided. The ideal option is to use a special spray booth with forced side or bottom air exhaust (air circulation is designed in such a way as to avoid possible turbulence) and special lighting. Such equipment is most often used in conjunction with a drying chamber.

Depending on the method of transferring heat to the painted part, there are three types of drying chambers: convective, radiation and combined. The operating principle of the convection chamber is based on heat transfer by convection. The air is heated using a heater using water or steam as a coolant. Air circulation is carried out by fans. The disadvantage of this type of drying is the different degrees of drying of the paint: the top layer dries faster than the inner ones. In turn, the thermoradiation chamber is a drying process using infrared rays emanating from lamp, panel or tubular emitters. The drying process in a thermoradiation chamber proceeds several times faster, while the heating of painted surfaces is more uniform, since infrared radiation penetrates into the coating.

A pneumatic spray gun is one of the main tools for car repair painting.

To dry individual painted areas, if it is necessary to quickly correct a defect on small surfaces, mobile boards with lamp emitters are used. A typical mobile panel with lamp emitters has six lamps with reflectors with a total power of 3 kW. The lamps are placed on panels in a casing on a common frame. The hinged mount allows you to install the frame at any angle to the heated surface. In addition, panels with lamps can be moved both horizontally and vertically, as well as rotated at an angle of 15 degrees, which allows drying painted products of various shapes.

Finally, it should be recalled that ideal painting of a car body is achieved only with strict adherence to technology. And that the painter’s kit should consist of materials from one company in order to avoid rejection of “non-native” components.

FROM A SPRAY CAN

There is another, cheapest way to paint a car. This is a do it yourself painting using a spray can. You just need to purchase a can of enamel of the required color and treat the damaged surface with it. As practice shows, the problem of choosing paint in this case is not worth it at all. Today, acrylic and alkyd, simple and two-component enamels are sold in aerosols, capable of providing any color, even metallic. Moreover, there is a special service on the market - pumping pre-selected paint into aerosol cans. With its low cost, a special spray can can easily replace a spray gun. True, painting the entire body or cabin in this way is very problematic, but putting individual parts or elements of the body in order is quite possible. And one more thing - you can resort to this method of painting only if you are not interested in a fundamentally uniform and smooth application of paint. In general, don't expect excellent results.

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Matte coloring

Matte red coloring is used to highlight the car body elements of those cars that have something to show off. Individual car parts are often painted this way. The advantage of this type of painting is that the non-shiny transparent varnish will perfectly match any color without changing it.

Method Application Advantages It is traditional to add matte impurities to regular varnish. The amount of these mixtures added to the varnish forms the dullness of the color. Disadvantage: this variation is one of the most labor-intensive, and the varnish is susceptible to environmental influences. The impurity is transparent

It is successfully used in airbrushing, which attracts the attention of not only men. Application of varnish with soft-touch effect

As in the previous version, the varnish is transparent, but it has a velvety feel to the touch. Good wear resistance and resistance to external influences. Such a surface is less likely to be scratched and dirty. It is easier to care for: it is simply wiped with dry material rather than washed. Another method is painting with a base color. The ability to adjust color and haze levels is limited. Such tuning is very expensive. However, there are high-quality imitations of this color using a special yellow-red film glued to the surface of the car. This is a kind of lamination, which, in addition to the yellow-red matte color, creates additional protection from mechanical and weather influences.

How to care

It has already been proven that the best protection for the body from chips and scratches is not only careful driving, but also timely care for it. If you regularly and properly wash and polish your car, you can significantly extend the life of the paintwork as a whole.

The fact is that as soon as a microcrack appears, dirt and dust begin to get into it. Over time, this leads to an increase in the crack and its deep penetration into the layers. With regular washing, dirt is washed out, and polishing allows you to fill microcracks with a special substance. In addition, polishing allows you to create an effective protective barrier against exposure to sunlight, which affects the color.

BMW 535i car treated with Liquid Glass protective polish, liquid glass

There are other means that help preserve paintwork in a car:

• liquid glass - a water-alkaline solution with sodium and potassium, which within a week crystallizes on the surface of the body and creates a transparent barrier;
• vinyl film;
• fabric cover;
• plastic deflector - installed on the hood and side planes.

Covering the car body with matte transparent vinyl film

Subtleties of applying a two-layer metallic shade

Painting a car yourself with light gray or any other metallic is quite a responsible undertaking. To achieve the desired result, you must strictly follow all recommendations and the order of work.

First of all, you should prepare the required surface for painting. It all depends on the scope of the problems or what goals are being pursued. If this is local or partial painting, then the surface must be cleaned from the old coating to the base metal.

Next, the surface is straightened and puttied to restore the original geometry. Next, a layer of primer is applied to ensure the necessary adhesion to the paint.

After this, the actual painting of the car begins. In the case of a two-layer metallic, the base is applied first, and after some time the finishing varnish is applied. Basic gray paint is applied in 2-3 layers.

There is a pause between layers to allow the coating to dry. An additional indicator of readiness can be a matte color - this means that the solvent has evaporated. The varnish is also applied in 2-3 approaches, which allows each layer to dry.

Preparing for work

Before work, remove tires, plastic caps and plugs that will interfere with quality painting. Further preparation includes the following steps:

• thoroughly rinse the products from dirt using ordinary household chemicals or special automotive products, as well as a brush with plastic bristles;
• sand the disc to remove minimal chips and scratches (first you can use coarser sandpaper, then fine sandpaper);
• if there are deep chips, use putty;
• degrease the discs with acetone or another solvent;
• wrap the wheel nipples with masking tape if the rims have not been removed;
• You can start priming.

Auto enamel of which company to choose

The car market is saturated with a variety of products for various purposes. One of them is enamels, necessary for repairing the bodies of light and heavy vehicles. These compounds are produced by large and small, well-known and not so well-known companies.

The following manufacturers are popular with buyers:

1. Vika

2. DuPont

3. Mobihel

DuPont is the world's largest American company, founded in 1802. It produces chemical products, including high-quality paints and varnishes. The inexpensive line is represented by Duxone auto enamels.

Vika is a brand under which Yaroslavl has been selling paint and varnish materials since 2001.

Mobihel is a leading manufacturer of paints and varnishes in Central Europe. Its facilities are located in Slovenia.

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How to calculate car enamel consumption

On average, the following amount of thick, undiluted paint (in cans) is required for painting:

• bumper – 250 gr.;
• wing – 200 gr.;
• hood – 350 gr.;
• door – 200 gr.

If 3 layers are required, the obtained values ​​are doubled. The enamel is diluted with a special composition for enamels or metallics in a ratio of 2:1 (2 parts paint + 1 part thinner).

The consumption of varnish is exactly the same as that of thick undiluted paint, diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply it in 2 layers.

How to paint and how long it takes to dry

It is clear that a brush in this case is not the best tool. For application, use a spray gun or airbrush (painting small areas or applying drawings). In this case, you need to understand how to properly dilute the composition so that there are no drips and it dries evenly. As a rule, they are diluted in a ratio of 4:1 with thinner and + 10% hardener, but each manufacturer gives its own recommendations!

If you don’t have a spray gun, it’s convenient to use aerosol cans that are already ready for application. First, shake the container for 2 minutes until the balls make a distinct sound. If all the paint is not used up, be sure to clean the nozzles of the bottle - turn it over and press the pedal for a few seconds until clean air comes out.

One of the convenient ways to locally restore the coating is with a pencil. It is convenient to use immediately after discovering a scratch or chip.

Popular gray colors and selection methods

The classification based on color is much broader. The problem of choosing the color and shade of paint affects every motorist who, either forced or of his own free will, decides to paint body parts.

Obviously, the most problems arise when local or partial staining is required. In this case, the paint has to be selected to match the existing paint coating, and this is a rather difficult task.

In practice, there are three main ways to determine color:

1. Approximately. A special palette is used to compare shades. The chance of making a wrong choice in this case is quite high.
2. By VIN code, body number. The color and type of coating are usually included in the identification number located on a special plate (nameplate), which is unique for each car.
3. In a special software environment. Mathematical algorithms allow you to most accurately determine the required color, hue, depth, and saturation.

Light or dark gray is the most problematic color to select, so a computer program is indispensable.

Painting parts

The technological process of painting individual parts directly depends on their size. It is recommended to apply enamel to the roof, starting from the center, painting the vertical part from above. The distance from the gun and the viscosity of the enamel are greatly influenced. It is necessary to take into account that very diluted material will leak a little, and using a dry hardener and a small amount of solvent, the paint dries faster.

Sometimes the thickness of the layer can give a different shade, but in relation to materials based on alkyds, this is not so effective. Thus, the technology of painting parts with alkyd paint consists in their identical location in relation to the positions they occupy in the car. In this case, all changes that are associated with pressure and conditions are the same for all parts.

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Classification of automotive enamels

There are two main ways to systematize automotive enamels and varnishes:

• by chemical composition (type of binder);
• by the nature of film formation.

With the first, everything is more or less clear: the main types of car repair enamels, depending on the type of base, are nitro enamels, alkyd, melamine-alkyd, acrylic, as well as base enamels (most often they are a combination of polyester, melamine-formaldehyde resin and cellulose acetobutyrate).

Now we are more interested in the second point - the nature of film formation. Based on this feature, all enamels can be divided into two groups:

• drying as a result of natural physical processes (solvent evaporation);
• cured as a result of a chemical reaction.

The drying mechanism for enamels of the first group is purely physical. The film of these paints is formed solely by the evaporation of solvents, without changing the chemical composition of the binder. The resulting film after drying can be dissolved again in a solvent, which is why it is called reversible. Such materials belong to the class of thermoplastics.

A typical representative is enamels based on cellulose nitrate (nitro enamels), used at the early stage of development of the automotive industry.

Drying as a result of evaporation of solvents (nitro enamels, oil paints)

Curing of enamels of the second group occurs differently. Evaporation of solvents, of course, also occurs. But, unlike the enamels of the previous group, here another process is launched in parallel: the chemical transformation of binder molecules into a network polymer. The resulting film has new physical and chemical properties; after complete curing, it is impossible to dissolve such a film, therefore it is called irreversible (thermosetting materials).

The reaction of “crosslinking” molecules itself can be triggered in different ways. If we recall alkyd enamels, then the curing of their films occurs as a result of a reaction with oxygen. In melamine alkyd materials (“synthetics”), the reaction is triggered by heating.

Curing by oxygen oxidation (alkyd enamels)

Films of modern acrylic enamels and varnishes are cured by reaction with a hardener, which is added to the material immediately before use.

Curing by reaction with hardener (acrylic materials)

Materials consisting of two parts that are mixed before use are called two-component (2K). In paint and varnish terminology, in relation to them you can also find the term “two-pack” (because they are supplied in two packages). And vice versa - materials produced in one package are usually called one-component (1K).

It is impossible to consider all the nuances associated with auto enamels in a short article. Their physical and chemical properties, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of certain types, remain behind the scenes. We will return to these questions in the next article.

Why paint wheels?

The parts of the car that often suffer from various damages are the disks (you can less often hear the name “rims”). Increased wear, regular mechanical, and in winter, chemical influences that negatively affect the appearance of the structure - this is what is inevitable when operating a car. Painting becomes an option for protecting the metal base of the wheel. Painting will be needed in the following cases:

• The car has been in use for a long time, so numerous chips are visible;
• used discs were purchased;
• the part received a serious defect and was restored;
• chemical reagents for treating road surfaces have corroded the old surface;
• the old paint layer has been knocked off as a result of regular washing using high-pressure technology;
• the car will have a long trip off-road (for protection purposes);
• the driver wants to make his car stand out from others due to its eye-catching wheels.

Painting a wheel rim is a way to extend the life of the part. The paint layer will take on protective functions and minimize chips and scratches on the metal. Painting provides anti-corrosion protection. If the casting is painted, the brake calipers are also refinished - they are also painted.

What do you know about car paint?

All car paint belongs to the group of enamels, the composition of which necessarily includes varnish and various pigment substances. It must be remembered that when applying such paint to any surface, it may dry unevenly - so it is better not to touch the car until it is completely dry. As soon as this happened, the surface of the body was not only transformed, but acquired a protective layer from corrosion and other destructive negative influences.

Selecting paint for a car cannot be called a simple process: today there is a huge variety of colors with hundreds of shades that are barely visible to the eye. To obtain a particular color that will be 100% identical to the original, you have to mix from two to ten colors in strict proportions. A minimum of deviations - and you get a completely different result.

What does it contain?

Henry Ford once said that a customer could buy a car in any color, but for now his requirement was black. These are not manifestations of Ford's temper and eccentricities. In fact, everything is much simpler - in those years, only one quick-drying material was produced, suitable for painting work on a conveyor belt. It was a black, natural-based varnish made in Japan.

Also, the main function of car enamel at that time was protection against corrosion, and not aesthetic appearance. But then the situation began to change, and other types of paint for cars appeared - for example, Ford did not even dream of dyes that would glow.

The physical characteristics of modern automotive paints, namely density, hardness and elasticity, can affect the protective properties and attractive appearance of the car. The composition of modern coatings includes the following components:

• A binder is a pure or dispersion solution, the main function of which is to bind the paint and varnish material;
• The film former is a pure and natural natural component, but the substance can also be synthetic;
• Solvents – designed to adjust the viscosity of paint;
• Coloring pigment - it gives color;
• Specialist. pigments – with their help you can obtain effects such as “metallic”, “mother of pearl”, “chameleon”, luminous surface effects in three-component compositions;
• Fillers - these substances create the final volume and density.

But the content of all these components is not necessary. Powder paint contains no solvents, and clear varnish contains no coloring pigment. However, binders are the main part of any paintwork material.

Functions and general composition of modern car paints

Car paint is often called enamel or paintwork. It is not difficult to understand what kind of layer this is in a car, since the abbreviation stands for paint coating.

Both the concept of auto enamel and the abbreviated name of a car’s paintwork are completely interchangeable terms among car enthusiasts.

Thanks to these properties, paints and varnishes perform the following functions:

• protect metal from corrosion and aggressive external influences;
• extend the service life of the body and spare parts;
• personalize the vehicle by providing a color scheme.

Each car enthusiast has his own color preferences, which can be realized using car paint of a certain shade. In addition, different types of paints have the ability to enhance the effect of color on a person. This effect is the result of specially selected components of the car’s paintwork.

Features of the composition of car paints

All types of paints contain pigments and film-forming substances. And the type of paintwork on a car is determined by the ingredients that make up its base.

The decorative and performance characteristics of automotive paints are provided by such components as:

• A film former is a substance that binds all the components of the painting material. Holds the coating on the surface of the car. An additional function is the creation of a protective glossy layer after the paintwork has dried. Consists of natural or synthetic resins and vegetable oils. The type of binding element determines the type and name of the car paint - alkyd, acrylic, etc.;
• pigments are elements that determine the color of car paints. Along with the decorative function, they are responsible for improving the performance characteristics of the paintwork on the car. Consist of natural or artificial oxides, metal salts or pigments of organic origin;
• solvent is an organic product that helps maintain the liquid consistency and fluidity of car paint. The main types of solvents that are part of paintwork are alcohol, ether, hydrocarbon, ketone;
• fillers - natural minerals: gypsum, talc, chalk, kaolin, asbestos, mica. Their task is to reduce the overall cost of the material. An additional function is to increase the strength and resistance of the coating to damage and high temperatures.
• additives are functional target components. Antioxidants, for example, increase resistance to aging. Fire retardants improve the fire resistance of car paint. Plasticizers are used to increase the elasticity of the material, etc. There are also a number of additives that are added to the paintwork of a car immediately before its use - to speed up drying or as a matting agent.

Types of paints by visual effect

Thanks to modern technologies, you can get an absolutely amazing visual effect from painting and make your car unique. Moreover, individualization of a vehicle is one of the ways to protect against theft.

Matte

The matte tone gives the car a special elegance and chic.

To obtain a matte surface, use a special alkyd enamel. Matting products provide durability and additional protection of the coating from adverse factors. As a rule, matte enamels are sold ready-made and do not require the addition of a solvent or drying activators.

Popular colors: black, gray, blue, white, deep green or purple, as well as shades: “khaki”, “white night”.

Metallic

The metallic effect is achieved by using special paints and varnishes that contain mica. This mineral has reflective properties. When the sun's rays reach the deep layers of the coating, a visual effect of depth occurs. The intensity of the effect depends on the brightness of the lighting.

Popular colors: “Snow Queen”, “Safari”, “Milky Way”.

Gloss

The glossy surface of the car is obtained if it is painted with an acrylic composition. Gloss gives the painted surface richness and depth of tone. But when painting, you should remember that glossy paint can only be applied to a very flat surface in order to avoid the appearance of a distorted visual effect of the coating.

Chromium

Nowadays, the chrome plating effect is used not only for stainless car parts, but also when painting its surfaces. To achieve the result, first apply a layer of special paint with aluminum particles, then a translucent and transparent varnish layer. The easiest way to get a mirror-like surface is to apply the paint material on a dark base that creates contrast.

Chameleon

The paint, called “chameleon”, actually has the ability to change its color under different lighting conditions. This effect became possible thanks to the addition of special microparticles to the composition. Each of the faces of these particles reflects light and from different angles of view or lighting these shades will be perceived in a new way.

Glowing

When luminous car paint appeared on the market, the functionality of modern paints and varnishes expanded significantly.

The effect of luminous enamels is based on the ability to react to light in a certain way. There are two types of such compositions - fluorescent and phosphor.

Fluorescent paints , when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, acquire extraordinary saturation and brightness, which is why their shade becomes acidic.

Phosphor paints absorb light during the daytime and emit light in the dark. Therefore, at night, phosphor coatings glow blue or greenish. The light-accumulating pigment is capable of giving off light for 36 hours. During the day, the luminescent coating is shiny but transparent.

Nacre

The mother-of-pearl effect is provided by inclusions of muscovite or potassium mica in the coloring composition. Microscopic particles (flakes) reflect light in one plane, forming a silvery tint. To increase the reflective properties, sparkles are treated with special compounds.

Popular colors: white pearl, dark cherry, titanium, graphite.

Xirallic

Xeralic is a type of paint with mother-of-pearl that provides a powerful shimmering effect of light on the surface of the car. These paints contain aluminum particles with machined edges. Therefore, light is reflected in four planes at once.

Painting with Xerallic involves the simultaneous use of several colors. The basic variations are grey, yellow, green, blue, red, gold, purple, black and white.

When choosing a xerallic, it is better to choose a shade that is as close as possible to the main color scheme.

Candy

Candy - in American, these are lollipops, sweets, loved by children all over the world. It is for the bright, often orange, lemon or raspberry color and texture of the coating, similar to sweet icing, that the paints received the name candy.

Oddly enough, such paints and varnishes do not contain large quantities of coloring pigments. But those particles that are present have such a high level of pigment intensity that they provide a 3D effect. One gets the impression that the car is covered in real sugar icing, like candy.

Glypthal paints

This type of paint has been known for quite a long time. Its difference from the cellulose variety lies in the formation of a thicker layer of film, while its texture is perfectly smooth. In other words, after drying, such paint does not require polishing, and one coat is enough to obtain an even color.

But their main drawback is the long hardening time. Thus, at a temperature of 20-25°C, polymerization of the top layer occurs in about a day, but for another two to four weeks the coating remains sensitive to mechanical stress and chemically active substances.

Raising the drying temperature to 800°C (or adding hardeners and polymerization activators) can significantly reduce the hardening time, but this is an extra resource expenditure that increases the cost of this method of painting cars. For this reason, this type of car paint is becoming less and less popular every year.

Airbrush and other types of decorative painting

Today, a common type of increasing the attractiveness of a car is airbrushing - applying deep 3D patterns to the surface of parts. You can make a small design on the wing or hood, or you can cover the entire car body, including even the bumper, with the composition.

It is important to choose a suitable composition that will complement your car and give it individuality. Of course, only people with a sufficient sense of artistic style can carry out airbrush work on a car. If you can’t paint, it’s better to entrust this kind of car painting to specialists with a guarantee of a good result.

The best basic metallic car enamels

Basic car enamels differ in that after they are applied and completely dry, the surface to be treated is additionally coated with varnish

When choosing the latter, you should pay attention to its compatibility with a particular enamel

This paint contains aluminum powder, which gives the car a specific shade and metallic effect.

Duxone Basecoat

4.8

★★★★★ editorial assessment

90% of buyers recommend this product

Duxone Basecoat is a one-component basecoat designed for painting all types of vehicles, while providing a high-gloss mechanically and chemically resistant finish. The product can be applied to metal and plastic. The average cost of car enamel is 3 thousand rubles.

Advantages:

• ease of use;
• fast polymerization;
• neutralization of the harmful effects of chemicals;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• good shine.

Flaws:

high probability of smudges if applied carelessly.

Duxone Basecoat auto enamel is used for spot, panel or complete repair of the existing coating on a car. You can apply varnish over Duxone Basecoat 3 days after painting.

Colomix Metallic Basecoat

4.7

★★★★★ editorial assessment

84% of buyers recommend this product

One-component base car enamel in ready-made colors Colomix Metallic Basecoat with a metallic effect has a base of acrylic resins, aluminum paste and high-quality light-resistant pigments. The base, coated with colorless acrylic varnish, provides a glossy finish that is resistant to mechanical and chemical damage.

Advantages:

• dries quickly;
• low consumption 8-9 m2/1 liter;
• dry film thickness 30-40 microns;
• reasonable price (1400 rubles).

Flaws:

does not always cover the previous color well.

Colomix Metallic Basecoat auto enamel is applied in 4 layers: the first is thin, the second and third are normal, the fourth is thin again. To prevent dripping and “boiling” of the varnish, it is recommended to dry between coats for at least 15 minutes.

Methods of applying auto enamel

• Using special equipment

The equipment used for applying enamel is a spray gun (for large volumes of work) or an airbrush (for covering small areas or applying designs).

• No equipment required

Often, the car owner does not have the necessary painting equipment, or the painting area is so small that its use is impractical. Car paint manufacturers took this point into account and launched the production of enamel in various containers:

• Aerosol

Aerosol paint is very convenient to use, since its application to a carefully prepared car surface does not cause difficulties. The enamel adheres well, but in order to avoid smudges, you need to follow the manufacturer's instructions and spray the product from the optimal distance from the surface. Most often, acrylic and alkyd automotive enamels are packaged in such containers.

• Pencil

A pencil is a very convenient tool for painting over small chips or scratches. Car owners appreciate such containers, since the pencil can be used immediately after damage is caused (or when it is detected), without waiting for return to the garage. The only problem is that owners of cars of rare colors will have to work hard to find a pencil with the required enamel, because even when ordering online, the waiting period can reach two to three months. As for the reviews of people who use the pencil in practice, they all recommend using such containers when masking small defects - then the pencil copes with its task most effectively. If the damage is large, then no matter how much you paint, the difference with the untouched coating will be very noticeable. [ya_bo]

Future Developments

• In the future, colors will continue to change. The main driving forces behind improvements in automotive paints are quality, cost and environmental regulations. Quality in this context refers to anti-corrosion protection and long lasting shine. The wear resistance of varnishes will improve, as will the adhesion and colors of paints. Production speed will also always be a driving force in the development of paint systems. Even insurance companies pay for repairs based on standard hours spent, which requires faster painting processes and the use of appropriate materials.
• In the near future, automotive paint systems will evolve and receive the following improvements:
• UV curing, scratch resistant varnishes. Incredibly fast drying times are already possible today thanks to the use of UV-catalyzed resins in workshops. This technology will continue to develop in the future. Standard varnishes have a bond density of 8–12 MPa. With UV curing, a much higher bond density of varnish particles can be achieved. Bond density above 30 MPa will give good scratch resistance. The high bond density of UV varnishes will provide good resistance to scratches and chemical elements. While regular curing varnishes heat up to 140 degrees for 20 minutes, UV curing varnishes can fully cure in seconds when exposed to UV light. This will greatly speed up the overall painting process. The limitation is that not all areas of the body will be exposed to direct UV light, which causes uncured areas. This limitation has led to the development of a combination technology that allows the inclusion of an additional curing reaction in locations without exposure to UV light. When visible areas of the vehicle's exterior reach complete polymerization under the influence of UV light and additional chemicals. reactions, areas of the interior where light does not reach will polymerize due to a chemical reaction with the catalyst.
• Water-soluble primers and varnishes will be used both when painting new cars and when repairing emergency vehicles.
• Painting process without primer. The base coat is usually applied in two stages. For primerless technology, isocyanate with additives will be added at the first stage of paint application. This additive activator will modify the characteristics of the base layer so that it acts as a primer. This will speed up the dyeing process and reduce the amount of material used.
• One of the new directions is the development and use of smart coatings, which can significantly improve the wear resistance of the surface and add additional functions and properties, such as super hydrophobicity, oleophobicity (repels oil-based liquids), self-cleaning, self-healing.
• Self-healing can be achieved by using polymers with shape memory, which is activated by exposure to temperature and humidity or UV radiation. As a specific example, we can cite the use of special montmorillonite clay in paints and varnishes, which has the ability to swell greatly when exposed to moisture.
• Varnishes are scratch resistant. In recent years, paint manufacturers have been developing and testing scratch-resistant varnishes. Scratches are especially noticeable on cars with dark shades. One of the concepts for producing scratch-resistant varnish is based on the introduction of solid nanoparticles into a flexible polymer matrix.

Necessary materials and equipment

In order for the job to be done efficiently, you should not skimp on paint. It is also important to check the expiration date of enamel and other materials. The technician will need automotive primer and varnish, acetone or another solvent, and car putty (if there are defects).

Tools and consumables you need:

• fine grain sandpaper;
• gloves;
• respirator;
• Sander;
• construction hairdryer

When purchasing paint, it is better to immediately purchase primer and putty of the same brand to improve compatibility and, accordingly, the final result. An electric drill with a special attachment (for removing old coating and traces of corrosion) is suitable as a replacement for a grinding machine. A construction hair dryer, if necessary, is replaced with a heat gun. These tools are needed to dry the paint as quickly as possible, but many types of enamels dry well at room temperature. If you purchased paint in a can, no tools are required. When using other forms, you need to buy a roller, brush and spray gun.

How does alkyd paint differ from acrylic paint and which is better?

With all the variety of paints and varnishes, we mainly have to deal with the two most common bases for paints and varnishes - alkyd and acrylic. Let's try to figure out what the difference is and what you need to know before going to the store. Alkyd paints and varnishes have long occupied a leading position, while acrylics were developed much later, but are becoming increasingly widespread.

Alkyd is a budget option

Alkyd paints and varnishes differ in composition from acrylic ones. They use polyhydric alcohol and orthophthalic acid. When dried, an inelastic film is formed. To fix this, natural oils are added to the composition.

The composition of alkyds is polyhydric alcohols and orthophthalic acid. The alcohol component varies, so paint is divided into pentaphthalic and glyphthalic.

Advantages

The main advantage is low price. Thanks to it, you can paint a large area on a small budget. You also do not need to have any special skills to use this type.

Dries quickly - in a few days. Moreover, after 60 minutes you can already apply the second layer. The surface painted with alkyd paint is resistant to chemicals and adverse environments.

Flaws

Although this variety is resistant to chemical attack, it is not resistant enough to mechanical damage. Therefore it is short-lived. This becomes visible when the paint turns yellow and cracks after a year and a half. This instability extends to solar exposure. Due to ultraviolet radiation, paint fades over time. Therefore, it is not advisable to use it for painting facades. It is also harmful to health and has a pungent odor. The room needs to be ventilated and the smell will completely go away within a day.

Cleaning the spray gun after spraying water-soluble paints

After spraying water-soluble paints, the spray gun must not be washed with solvent. Also, paints cannot be washed off with plain water and soap, as can be done with water-based household paints, since they contain a certain percentage of solvents.

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It is better to use a mixture of water and household cleaners containing ammonia. It is not advisable to store the spray gun with residual water inside. To completely remove water from the spray gun, you can pour a little isopropyl alcohol into the tank and spray it.

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Manufacturers of spray paint - choosing the best brand

There are dozens of manufacturers who offer quality products on the market. Several dozen more offer frankly low-quality solutions with minimal effect and a very short service life. You should choose only those solutions that are really suitable for your car and the quality of the varnish on the body. It is worth searching by manufacturer and giving preference to the following iconic brands in the world of aerosol paints for cars:

• MOTIP
  is one of the best manufacturers that offers a simply huge range of products with incredible solutions for your car, excellent quality of material;
• KUDO
  is the second most popular brand of aerosol car paints in the professional world, a very reliable paint layer with good operating properties;
• Molotow
  is a simple material, but the quality is also high, the cost is quite high, and there are several significant advantages over its competitors;
• MTN
  is a fairly affordable and quite presentable material with good color quality, with excellent tone matching on the cap and when actually applied to a metal surface;
• Trane
  is a little-known, but quite presentable paint, which is often used to treat car bodies; there are a number of advantages in comparing the cost and quality of the material.

You can also find other manufacturers whose products offer decent solutions to problems. You can find many interesting solutions that will really be an excellent option for solving problems with the body of your car. However, the choice of manufacturer should be taken seriously. Read reviews and get more information about what materials a particular brand actually provides in this segment.

Working with individual elements

Particular attention should be paid to plastic parts. Painting bumpers, door handles, etc. in a matte color should be done separately. To do this, you can use a spray gun, or you can also use a regular aerosol can.

The plastic is prepared in the same way, that is, first the old layer is carefully removed, then degreased and then painted matte black. In the photo you can see the work on the plastic:

Leveling the surface

Surfaces can be leveled by grinding or straightening. Straightening a car involves applying a layer of putty to all deformed areas. Sometimes you have to “pull out” some elements, that is, align them by heating. In general, you need to align and display each element separately, paying attention to all the flaws.

After applying the putty and allowing it to dry completely, the surface is sanded with sandpaper, ensuring both the evenness and smoothness of the surface.

It would be a good idea to apply a layer of primer on top of the putty.

Effects created by auto enamel

In order to paint a car you need a base car enamel. Each type of classification has special effects that are reflected on the body.

Glossy

Glossy surface is available on almost all car enamels. Alkyd paints are just not capable of creating a glossy effect. The gloss is formed due to the rapid polymerization that occurs when drying.

Matte

Applying enamels to cars without shine is called a matte effect. For a car, this type is not used on the entire body, but only to highlight a particular area. The best enamel with a matte effect is alkyd.

Nacre

The pearlescent effect is achieved by absorbing sunlight during the day. Thanks to this, the car shines and attracts special attention with its appearance.

Metallic

Metallic is achieved in the form of enamel, which has a reflective pigment. This car painting is difficult to achieve due to the need to mix it with pigments. Therefore, this matter must be trusted to professionals who know their business. You can achieve this effect even if the surface of a part of the car is matte.

Chameleon

This effect is very popular among car enthusiasts. It is achieved with three-layer painting, only thanks to “chameleon” enamel. If you look at the car from different angles, it seems that it is painted in different colors.

Chirallic

This effect is called artificial pearlescent. To do this, you need to paint it with the appropriate auto enamel, which will ensure long exposure. Can only be applied to a surface that is free of dirt and rust. The basic colors used for painting are red and blue. These are the 2 most elegant and beautiful colors in this model.

Sandy effect

Kandy coating is the most difficult job for a professional. Difficulty in work is replaced by incredible beauty and efficiency. The color and tone of the car will fascinate and catch your eye. There are approximately 20 types of colors. The only disadvantage of this type is that the staining layer is too small.

Phosphor

Duminofor is a chemical substance that is resistant to external influences. In addition to the fact that it protects the car from corrosion, the paint will last for 20 years or more. This paint has a luminous effect and can glow in the dark.

Important. The effects of various auto enamels depend on the method of application and the chemical composition of the enamel itself. To achieve the desired effect, you need to know how to use the paint, in what proportions to apply it, and adhere to a certain intensity.

What is the difference between alkyd and acrylic paint: comparative analysis of characteristics

Acrylic enamel for floor

Same level of properties:

• water resistance;
• resistance to solvents, acids and alkalis;
• heat resistance;
• hardness;
• Application of paint by brush, pneumatic and airless spray.

Properties in which alkyd binders are superior to acrylic ones:

• wear resistance;
• applying paint with a roller;
• time to fully gain strength.

Properties in which acrylic binders are superior to alkyd ones:

• transparency and colorlessness;
• gloss durability;
• weather resistance (light fastness, resistance to ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes);
• resistance to water vapor, diluted acids and alkalis;
• elasticity, resistance to impact and bending;
• durability, resistance to aging;
• environmental friendliness;
• good grinding and polishing ability.

It should be borne in mind that the evaluation characteristics are general in nature, so in some cases the properties may not correspond to the given data, for example, acrylic floor varnish has very good wear resistance.

Use of enamels for cars

Now let's look at what enamel to use for cars: alkyd or acrylic? And what is the difference between alkyd paint and acrylic paint?

The place of primacy in this area is deservedly given to acrylic material. This is due to the fact that the product has good reflective characteristics and resistance to mechanical stress. In addition, the applied product dries quickly and gives minimal shrinkage.

Alkyd enamel for a car is not the best because it has a long drying period and does not provide such a uniform shine as an acrylic coating. The disadvantages of such auto enamel are compensated by its low cost. Also, here it is possible to apply one thick layer of alkyd, while acrylic auto enamel needs to be gradually painted in thin layers, each of which must dry well.