What is oxygen primer for a car?
An acid-based primer is a special primer that comes in cans or containers with liquid. The main application is to improve adhesion and anti-corrosion protection.
The product is suitable for treating car bodies and is used as an initial layer.
It is impossible to apply a paint coating or epoxy composition over this product, since additional painting suppresses the acidic properties of the primer.
Tips for use
Over a long period of using the primer mixture, experts have noted many features that make working with this tool easier.
Here are some of them:
- The primer can be applied to a rusted surface. In some cases, if it is necessary to treat a surface area with primer, rust may occur. In order not to waste a lot of time and materials on its processing, you can sand the surface with sandpaper, removing all fragile particles of rust. After this, you can apply primer.
- Masking tape is great for protecting certain areas of the surface that you don't want the mixture to come into contact with.
- If it is necessary to use a very small amount of primer, it can be removed from the can and applied with a special tool. To do this, you need to lean the sprayer against a jar or other container so that the stream hits the inner wall and flows to the bottom.
- It is necessary to work with primer in warm rooms. Work at temperatures below +10 and not above +30 degrees Celsius is unacceptable.
Primer in cans has many advantages and can be used for application to almost any surface.
For successful work, it is important to choose the right type of mixture and follow the tips for applying primer to the surface.
Main varieties
You can find 2 types of acid soil on sale:
- Based on 1 component.
- Based on 2 components.
One-component
Phosphate primer based on 1 component can be used without prior preparation. It can be purchased in cans for application without auxiliary equipment or in containers with a liquid solution. The second option is applied with a spray gun in 1 thin layer. When the coating acquires the required properties, it can be treated with acrylic with the inclusion of a hardener.
Two-component
Before applying the product to a metal surface, it should be properly prepared. The instructions mention the need to mix the main substance with the activator. The final consistency takes on both hard and soft forms. Experts advise choosing the first option, as it creates a strong and reliable film over the entire treated area. It is allowed to apply primer in 1, 2 or 3 layers, observing the proportions and basic recommendations of the manufacturer. There is a 5 minute pause between reuses.
Painting aluminum parts
Anyone who has painted aluminum knows that this is not a very easy task. If you paint aluminum products without preliminary preparation, the paint will lay down in an uneven layer, unevenly, and after a short period of time it will begin to peel off. Paint does not adhere very well without the use of a primer because:
- aluminum has a smooth surface. This metal has a peculiar crystal lattice, due to which the surface structure is very smooth. When painting, the smallest particles of paint have nothing to cling to, as a result of which they lie rather poorly on the base, and after some time they gradually fall off;
- high surface tension. Aluminum is a complex metal; its molecular bonds create strong tension on the surface, causing the surface to appear very slippery, and at the same time as if greasy. A high surface tension significantly reduces adhesion, that is, the adhesion of the base to the paint and varnish material;
- aluminum has an oxide film. This metal in its pure form reacts very quickly with oxygen contained in the air, as a result of which a durable layer of oxide film appears on the surface. This layer, which is visible to the naked eye, is manifested by corrosion, which has a heterogeneous structure and poor adhesion to other materials, including varnishes and paints.
Important! The more time passes, the thicker the oxide film becomes, it takes the form of peeling, loose corrosion foci, they slowly spread over the entire surface, while the aluminum becomes thinner, and the surface layer affected by corrosion will fall off along with the paint applied to it.
Pros of primer in cans
Primers in the form of aerosols have several important advantages:
- Ease of use. There is no need to use special equipment to distribute the soil.
- High quality finishing coating. The can ensures uniform distribution of the composition over the surface being treated.
In most cases, an aerosol primer is used for local application to metal products.
If you need to treat large areas, it is better to use an air gun.
Primer in the form of a spray is used by beginners who have not carried out body repairs before. Using an aerosol, you can level paintwork materials and get an even and beautiful coating.
Types of car paints for wheels
Large car paint manufacturers usually produce a full range of paints and varnishes - rubber, acrylic, powder. Kudo remains the most popular brand; its products are distinguished by high quality and durability. Paints eliminate minor scratches, chips on wheels and other car parts, as they contain chemicals that increase wear resistance.
Another well-known brand is Motip; it has long been recognized as the best by automotive repair and tuning professionals. A number of paints are used for wheels and the body, others are intended only for rims. Most of the paints of this brand are sold in spray cans and are characterized by low consumption.
Rubber paints
Liquid rubber, or rubber paint, has become popular due to its versatility. It is well suited for all types of discs - cast, stamped steel, forged, titanium, and plastic elements. Even wheel caps are covered with liquid rubber to give them a more beautiful appearance. This type of paint comes in glossy and matte finishes.
The advantage of rubber coatings is its ability to harden quickly, forming a durable layer like rubber. A unique property is the ability to remove this layer at any time without damaging the surface or using special tools. The disadvantages are the high cost of paint due to high consumption, as well as greater susceptibility to scratches compared to acrylic enamel.
Powder paints
Powder paint has the highest protective properties. This paintwork material copes well with corrosion, the action of salts, alkalis, acids, and reagents. The paint is not afraid of water, resistant to mechanical damage, does not fade, and is heat-resistant. It can be applied to titanium, steel, various alloys, except aluminum (they can be deformed).
The disadvantages of powdered formulations include the complexity of the application technology - they cannot be used at home. The method involves melting the product in a special chamber at a temperature of +200 degrees and then applying it to a sheet or disk or other product. Otherwise, the powder will not stick to the metal, and the necessary equipment is quite expensive. Often this type of coating is used by the disc manufacturers themselves.
Acrylic paints
Acrylic-based products are suitable for all types of rims, there are no exceptions. Even on aluminum, a durable and high-quality result is obtained in a short time, and the color palette is the richest. Acrylic paints are sold in cylinders, cans, and other containers, but the most convenient method of application is aerosol spraying.
The advantages of paints of this type are as follows:
- high quality coating;
- affordability;
- the ability to combine colors and create unusual designs;
- surface protection from corrosion, dirt, precipitation;
- long-term preservation of discs even with regular exposure to reagents;
- quick drying (only 15-20 minutes).
And yet, powder paints last much longer than acrylic and rubber paints. But for cosmetic repairs, acrylic will be the fastest and most affordable option.
Preparation stages
To obtain a high-quality surface, you should perform a number of preparatory actions and adhere to a strictly proven algorithm:
- First of all, you should prepare the room in which the body will be painted.
- Then you need to clean the surface from rust, dirt, dust and old putty.
- Next you need to inspect the machine and prepare a suitable enamel composition.
- After this, it is necessary to protect the body parts that do not need to be treated and degrease the surfaces.
- At the next stage, putty is applied and an anti-corrosion layer is formed.
Materials and equipment
· Sandpaper. You will need 4 sheets of fine and coarse sandpaper. It is better if it is immediately prepared for mounting on a grinding wheel installed in a drill.
· Two rolls of medium-width masking tape.
· Paint (preferably acrylic) – four cans, different colors possible if you intend to make an original tuning.
· Acrylic primer – 2 cans.
· One can of automotive varnish intended for exterior use.
· Respirator.
· Solvent and rags for degreasing disks and removing stains from them.
The color palette of acrylic paints is much richer than that of powder paints. Depending on the quality of paint and primer purchased, as well as the conditions under which painting will be done, the entire process takes from two to five days.
Application methods
Acid primer can be applied using several methods and tools:
- Simple brush.
- Spray gun.
- By lowering a metal product into a solution.
- Electrical spraying.
- Using electrodeposition technology.
In everyday life it is customary to use the first 2 tools. Immersion technology is used in factories.
Is it possible to apply paint to acidic soil?
Experts do not recommend applying paint over a layer of one-component acid primer. Otherwise, the components may cause a change in the shade of the paint due to the action of the yellow pigment.
Let's save the situation
In my understanding, sanding and polishing the surface after painting goes beyond the scope of “budget” DIY repairs. To do this, you need to have a polishing machine, wheels and polish, but the vast majority of ordinary car enthusiasts have nothing of the kind. Therefore, in fact, the mission to save money on painting can be considered a failure - of course, if you do not want to put up with the disgusting appearance of your car.
Nevertheless, four layers of paint gave me the opportunity to try to correct the situation.
P2000 sandpaper with water and two types of polish using wheels of varying hardness helped in this matter.
Almost all the imperfections have disappeared, and a more or less normal shine has appeared. Painted, albeit with nuances, the molding began to look much more presentable.
In general, after all the procedures, the rear of the car looks a little better, because the “bugs” on the trunk lid did not decorate the car at all. The final quality of painting is no worse than what some garages can offer. But don’t forget that there are places under the spoiler where the paint reacted.
In addition, you can notice the difference in shades.
Rating of the best brands
When choosing which primer to buy for a car, you should familiarize yourself with the following product brands:
- DUR 1:1. The reactive solution provides a durable film with improved adhesive properties. The advantage of the composition is the absence of chromates and the presence of a special reaction catalyst in the kit.
- Body 960 Wash primer. Suitable for different surfaces and consists of 2 components. During application it is mixed with hardener.
- Mobinel. A one-component product with high anti-corrosion characteristics. Suitable for stainless steel, galvanized and aluminum.
Necessary equipment and materials
Painting wheels yourself with powder paint in a regular garage requires expensive equipment. This is a sandblasting machine necessary for thoroughly removing the remnants of the old coating and perfectly leveling the surface. You will also need a heat chamber - after degreasing the surface, applying an anti-corrosion coating and powder coating, you will need to carry out heat treatment (“bake” it). If you do not do this constantly, then in a private garage it is very difficult to provide, properly equip and carry out this technological cycle. Therefore, let's look at a simpler option available in a regular garage - painting wheels using acrylic paints.
At home, sandblasting can be replaced with a drill with various additional attachments. Don't skimp when purchasing them, because... These attachments can also be used for other work, for example, for polishing a car body or glass with your own hands.
Also during the work we will need the following materials:
- Brush;
- Detergent (powder);
- Sandpaper of various abrasiveness (from 200 to 600);
- Automotive finishing putty;
- 2-3 cans of primer;
- 3-4 cans of special paint;
- 1 can of clear varnish;
- Bottle of solvent 646;
- Protective sealed glasses and gloves.
Our verdict
You can paint a car with a spray can, but achieving a really good result is almost impossible. And with a complex color, it will be even more difficult to hit it. It was possible to give the painted surface a more presentable appearance only after additional sanding and polishing.
The materials, excluding the purchase of polish and wheels, took about $20, as well as three evenings. I definitely wouldn’t risk painting the hood this way, for example. In three words - so-so pleasure. You can only spray paint thresholds made from construction foam and putty to pass inspection.
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