In the field of car painting, the choice of paint is crucial. The paint on the surface of the car not only determines the beauty of the vehicle, but also affects the protective performance of the car body. When choosing paint, professional car painters usually consider its durability, color retention ability, ease of construction, and weather resistance of the vehicle exposed to the external environment for a long time.
So, which paints are the first choice of professional car painters? This article will analyze in detail from many aspects the types of paints commonly used by professional painters, their applicable scenarios and advantages and disadvantages.
The basis of car painting: primer and topcoat
Car painting generally includes two steps: primer and topcoat. Primer is used to protect the metal surface, enhance the adhesion of the topcoat, and provide corrosion resistance; topcoat determines the appearance of the car, including color, gloss and overall visual effect. Depending on the specific needs and usage scenarios, professional painters may choose different combinations of primer and topcoat to achieve the best results.
What is the role of primer?
Primer is an indispensable part of the car painting process. Its main function is to provide a smooth and highly adhesive base for the topcoat. Common automotive primers include epoxy primers, polyurethane primers, and zinc-rich primers. Different types of primers have their own characteristics and advantages, and professional spray painters choose the most suitable primer according to the specific situation.
What is the role of topcoat?
Topcoat is the second layer of car painting, which directly determines the appearance of the car. Topcoats are usually divided into single-layer paint and multi-layer paint (such as pearl paint or metallic paint). Professional spray painters need to choose the appropriate type of topcoat according to the requirements of the owner and the use environment of the car.
What are the types of paints commonly used by professional automotive spray painters?
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a common type of paint in the automotive industry, which is popular for its ease of use, fast drying speed and high gloss effect. Acrylic paint usually exists in one-component or two-component form. Two-component acrylic paint needs to be mixed with a curing agent for curing to improve its durability and scratch resistance.
Advantages of acrylic paint:
● Acrylic paint dries quickly, and the vehicle can be processed in a short time after application, which is very important for efficient workshop operation.
● Acrylic paint has good UV stability and is not easy to fade when exposed to sunlight for a long time.
● Acrylic paint is relatively affordable and suitable for a large number of applications.
Disadvantages of acrylic paint:
● Compared with other high-performance paints, acrylic paint has poor abrasion resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, and is prone to scratches in long-term use.
● Acrylic paint has average gloss retention ability and requires regular waxing or polishing to maintain brightness.
Acrylic paint is often used to repair or refurbish cars with limited budgets. It is a cost-effective option, especially for vehicles that do not need to be exposed to harsh environments for a long time.
Polyurethane Paint
Polyurethane paint is another type of paint commonly used in automotive painting. It occupies an important position in high-end automotive spray painting due to its excellent weather resistance and UV resistance. Two-component polyurethane paint is formed by mixing polyurethane resin with curing agent. The coating is very hard and has high abrasion and chemical resistance.
Advantages of polyurethane paint:
● The coating of polyurethane paint is very tough and can provide excellent scratch resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, which is suitable for vehicles exposed to outdoor environments for a long time.
● Polyurethane paint has excellent gloss and gloss retention, and can maintain a bright appearance after years of use.
● Polyurethane paint has excellent UV resistance and is not easy to fade when exposed to sunlight.
Disadvantages of polyurethane paint:
● Polyurethane paint is relatively expensive and is usually used in high-end models or vehicles with strict requirements on appearance.
● Compared with other paints, polyurethane paint has higher construction requirements and requires professional equipment and technicians to achieve the best results.
Polyurethane paint is often used in high-end cars or vehicles that need to be used outdoors for a long time because of its excellent performance and superior visual effects. It not only provides good protection, but also ensures that the car body maintains a bright appearance after long-term use.
Epoxy Paint
Epoxy paint is mainly used as a primer because it has extremely strong adhesion and excellent anti-corrosion properties, especially suitable for coating metal surfaces. Epoxy paint also has excellent wear and chemical resistance, so it is widely used in the primer of automotive painting.
Advantages of epoxy paint:
● Epoxy paint has very high adhesion and can adhere firmly to the metal surface to prevent rust and corrosion.
● Epoxy paint has excellent chemical resistance and can resist corrosion from gasoline, acid and alkali substances.
● Epoxy paint has good wear resistance and can provide an additional layer of protection for the car.
Disadvantages of epoxy paint:
● Epoxy paint itself is not suitable for use as a topcoat because its color selection is limited and the gloss is not high.
● Although epoxy paint has excellent anti-corrosion properties, it may fade or chalk when exposed to sunlight for a long time.
In the process of automotive painting, epoxy paint is often used to protect metal substrates, especially for parts of the car body that require long-term corrosion protection. Its superior anti-corrosion properties make it an important tool for painters.
Metallic Paint
Metallic paint is a topcoat that is often used for luxury models or personalized modified vehicles because of its metallic luster and special visual effects. Metallic paint usually contains tiny aluminum powder or other metal particles that can reflect light in the sun and present a shiny metallic texture.
Advantages of metallic paint:
● Metallic paint has a unique visual effect and can add a high-end and personalized element to the vehicle.
● Metallic paint can produce gloss and depth changes in the sun, giving the car body a three-dimensional feel.
Disadvantages of metallic paint:
● The construction of metallic paint is difficult and requires professional spraying equipment and technology.
● Metallic paint is difficult to repair. If scratches or peeling occur, it is difficult to achieve seamless repair.
● The price of metallic paint is high and is usually only suitable for vehicles with specific needs.
For car owners who pursue a personalized appearance or luxury, metallic paint is an ideal choice. Metallic paint not only enhances the visual effect of the car, but also improves the weather resistance of the car body to a certain extent.
Pearlescent Paint
Pearlescent paint is another high-end automotive topcoat that creates a rich color change effect by adding mother-of-pearl or other tiny reflective particles. Compared with metallic paint, pearl paint has a softer luster, but the color change is deeper.
Advantages of pearl paint:
● Pearl paint has rich color changes and can show different colors and depths at different angles and light.
● Pearl paint has good weather resistance and UV resistance, suitable for long-term outdoor use.
Disadvantages of pearl paint:
● Pearl paint is extremely difficult to apply and requires professional equipment and technicians for spraying.
● Like metallic paint, pearl paint is difficult to repair.
● Pearl paint is expensive and is usually used for luxury cars or high-end modified cars.
Pearl paint is widely used in the painting of luxury models and custom modified cars due to its unique color changes and high-end feel. For car owners who pursue a unique look, pearl paint is undoubtedly an excellent choice.
How to choose the right paint?
Depending on the type of car, the needs of the owner, and the use environment of the vehicle, professional painters will choose different paint types. Here are some selection criteria:
1. The owner's budget: Acrylic paint is economical, while polyurethane paint, metallic paint and pearl paint are relatively expensive and suitable for owners with a higher budget.
2. Vehicle use environment: If the vehicle needs to be exposed to the outdoors for a long time, polyurethane paint or pearl paint with strong UV resistance is a better choice; if the vehicle is mainly used indoors or in a milder environment, acrylic paint can also provide good protection.
3. Vehicle appearance requirements: Car owners who pursue personalized appearance or high-end visual effects can choose metallic paint or pearl paint, while car owners who focus on durability and cost-effectiveness can consider acrylic paint or polyurethane paint.
As a leading manufacturer of paints and resins, Huaren Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products at competitive prices. Founded in 1994, the company operates 30 advanced production lines for paints and 6 for resins, with an annual production capacity of over 20,000 tons. Our products include a wide array of coatings such as anti-corrosion paints, epoxy paints, acrylic coatings, and water-based industrial paints, all designed for use in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, and mechanical equipment. If you're looking to purchase low-price, high-quality paints, buy wholesale, or need customized solutions, Huaren is the trusted supplier for your business needs. We also offer discounts and promotions for large-scale orders. Contact us for quotes today!
