Painting with aerosols allows for a quick application, minimal setting up and gives a great finish. We have spent lots of time researching into the best aerosols, nozzles and paint to go inside them. All of the paint provided in aerosols is now our Ultraspeed formula.

Deciding on quantities is important so that you don’t have to purchase multiple batches of paint. We recommend doing 2 coats. One aerosol will cover 1sqm with 2 good coats; this makes it much easier to work out quantities. We do recommend over estimating a little bit, just in case!

We have based the coverage on doing 2 coats… if you were to do 1 coat you would get 10sqm coverage from 5 aerosols.

Preparation

First up is the most important part of any painting process, prep. We have lots of articles on the preparation for painting. This process is the same no matter which application method you choose. But, it does depend on the surface that you are painting on to.

Click below for the surface specific preparation guides:

• Painting bare metal
• Painting a pre-painted surface
• Painting wood
• Painting fiberglass

You will need Prep Clean, Tack Cloths and lots of Wet & Dry or Scotch Brite for your prep – this is all included in our ‘Aerosol Starter Packs’.

Paint application

Shake aerosol for at least 2 minutes after the agitator ball is free. Due to our tints being high quality, it can make them heavy, meaning they can settle quickly. So, shaking enough is important to ensure you get the correct shade.

Before you apply your aerosol, make sure to squirt a little bit onto something which isn’t your project (we use cardboard). This will just ensure the nozzle is clear and ready to spray.

Applying the aerosols in cross coats at a distance of approximately 250mm from the object is what works best for us. However, trialing your paint application on a panel is a great idea so you can get the correct technique first. We do stock aerosol hand grip attachments which can give your finger a break from the nozzle when painting large areas!

Leave the paint to dry for 20 minutes. Our Ultraspeed formula has a 20 minute flash off time when applied at 20 degrees. If you are applying in different temperatures, ensure you take this into consideration.

After 20 minutes, you can apply your next coat of topcoat. IF you leave your paint for longer than this flash off time, you will have to leave it to dry for a full 24 hours, and then de-nib the surface. The de-nibbing process between coats left longer than the flash off time is so important to ensure the surface is keyed and won’t peel off in the future.

Painting Hints & tips

• Another tip worthy of noting – try not to overspray a previously sprayed area (such as edges or fiddly areas) as this could create a thick area of coating which may result in sagging (a long run).
• If you find a run or sag when the paint is initially dry/drying don’t rub it down as it is likely to still be wet underneath. Instead slice the top off it with a sharp blade and leave it to dry again. The next day you will be able to rub it down successfully and re-coat either the immediate area or if required the whole panel.
• Generally speaking, most primers are porous in nature. If your vehicle or component has been living outside or exposed to the weather for any length of time in damp conditions painted only in primer, moisture may have penetrated the primer and cause problems later. You are best to remove it or flat it back and start fresh to prevent any risk of moisture coming out when the top coat has been applied. This can lead to micro-blistering of the paint work.
• If you have a galvanised surface, we recommend using a T wash before applying a primer.
• Use appropriate safety equipment, such as gloves and a mask, to protect yourself from fumes and chemicals.
• Work in a well-ventilated area to ensure proper drying and to avoid inhaling harmful vapours.

Weather/Atmosphere Hints & Tips

• You don’t want to apply your paint when the atmosphere is damp as this could produce problems in the future such as micro-blistering.
• If painting in cold conditions where heat is required use dry heaters only, avoid paraffin heaters. They can cause condensation which could cause the paint to ‘bloom’.  Keep the temperature as even as possible, leaving any heating on until the paint is dry.
• Always avoid painting in direct sunlight, breezy, or windy conditions.
• Wherever possible work indoors if you can where you can control the air movement and temperature. If the area you are working in is dusty, clean it thoroughly and wet the floors before starting to paint. This will minimise the risk of dust settling on your newly painted surface during the application or drying period.

For more hints and tips visit our Knowledge Base.