We avoid using aerosols in our workshop however it can come handy in some cases. We would use aerosol primer for spot repairs, say when you accidentally sand through the edge of the panel or have small stone chip filled in, aerosol primer comes in very handy to get that covered. Also black matt aerosol is perfect to spray some black plastics (moldings, sills, mirrors, handles). Plastic adhesion promoter/primer is a must for bare, untreated plastics and is very nice in aerosol form. However, we would never use aerosol lacquer even more metallic paint.
So how to Use Aerosol Paint?
Tips for using aerosols:
– aerosol paint is only good (not great) for minor jobs on small car parts.
mirror covers, bumper tow hook covers, and maybe some small lip spoilers if you are not very particular about the finish. NEVER attempt full panel repairs with aerosol
– never expect good results from metallic paint aerosol
– aerosol lacquer doesn’t give a high gloss finish and provides little protection for the paintwork.
– made by so many different manufacturers aerosol paint is never a good color match, so make sure to first spray a small sample
– aerosols have to dry gradually and don’t like heating when wet. that’s why it is best sprayed in thin coats letting it become tacky before reapplying
– always shake it well and get it warm before spraying
– aerosol primers are great for small spot repairs
– matt black aerosol is great for exterior plastics, just don’t forget to spray plastic primer first to provide adhesion.
– you can use metallic aerosol paint for touching up small marks and stone chip. simply spray a small bit into a cap, let it evaporate a little and use small brush or toothpick to fill in small marks. after it dries do the same with the lacquer.
– before spraying metallic paint aerosol do a sample first, needs to be at least playing card size, grab something with a gloss surface like a piece of cardboard with a gloss printed side. Spray paint and lacquer as you would on the panel, let it dry and check it against the car for colour match. If you can spot a colour difference on the small sample it will look very different on a bigger panel.
-never try to make the first coat perfect! The first coat is just a holder for a second one. It has to be light and doesn’t have to be even, it holds second coat to not let it run as easily. Let the first coat to evaporate until it’s very tacky and almost dry. Now second coat you have to make wet and as even as possible while trying to not let it become too heavy and runny. I know it takes some practice, especially with metallic paints. That’s why spraying samples is very important, first, you have to try it on something else before you spray it on your car. Metallic paint only shows its true colour when you spray lacquer on top, only then you will see how the finished panel will look like.
– don’t try to fix small marks and scratches by spraying paint or lacquer on top thinking it will mask it. That will never happen. Scratches and imperfections have to be filled in, primed and sanded before painting. The easy way is just to touch it up with the tiny brush as above.
– don’t think for a second I’m suggesting you start spraying your precious with aerosols, but just in case you decide to do some small tiny DIY, these little tips may help you. However, for the best quality, unnoticeable repair come to Hillside Car Spray.