Londons Autobody

A Closer Look Into Painting

Each and every spray systems is made up of three crucial parts: a compressor to pressurize the paint, a container to hold the material and a spray gun to spread it across the required surface through its nozzle in a fine mist. The process of painting by use of compressed spray gun is very simple. On pressing the trigger switch, Ventury effect gets formed, and the paint combines with the compressed air releases itself into the surface as a fine mist.

Different spray painting techniques are employed to paint the surface of a car and all of them use compressed air or fluid or air pressure to discharge and direct the spray. Spray guns are commonly used for spraying cars. Spray guns have two main classifications: suction fed and gravity fed. Both are easily identifiable from its shape and the way it is arranged. In suction fed spray guns, the paint container is fixed below the air gun and compressed air is used to attain the desired spread. It also has a dedicated air cap to generate low vacuum. In gravity fed, the container is at the top of the gun and the major force acting on the system is gravity though compressed air is used to a lesser extent. Gravity fed spray guns are capable of giving good performance than suction fed guns, as it uses less compressed air and has less weight.

Another process is the HVLP or High Volume Low Pressure system. Though akin to spray guns as far as the compressed air is concerned, the gun works at low pressure. The effect is that wastage is minimized to a large extent.

A third process uses Low Volume Low Pressure or LVLP system, and is an improvement of the HVLP system of painting. Here wastage is further controlled and the intended surface gets more paint. Both HVLP and LVLP system need high capacity compressors and may not be ideal for every day use.

In Electrostatic Spray painting, paint powder is used in this technique. When the paint is discharged from the gun, it is so arranged that it develops an electrostatic charge and is sprayed to the oppositely charged surface. As the minute paint particles repulse each other, the area covered by the paint is much more than other systems.

It is important to adhere to safety norms as fine mists of paint are formed and gets released into the air.

Tags: Compressor, gravity feed paint guns, HVLP, painting, spray guns, Spray paint, spray patterns, suction feed spray guns

Autobody And Paint – From Beginning To Perfection

http://www.beginautobody.com

Does painting a car seem like a job only the pros can do? Well relax,  I’m here to tell you different.  If you have the desire and a few simple techniques and tools, I will encourage you that you can do this like the pros too.  At London’s Autobody I will explain the do’s and don’ts, give you the shortcuts (yes there are many) to succeed at all things pertaining to BEGIN AUTOBODY and paint.  You need not fret anymore, for if I could do it by my humble means, you can too.

I first began in 1992 as a backyard body-man having the desire to do what I only had admired previously.  I saw the pros doing paint and autobody and admired their talents, thinking this is only for them, they made it look easy.  Well is it?  It can be.  I thought I would need a ton of schooling, which who has the time or the money for?  I know I didn’t so I set myself to learn.  I basically taught myself early on, asked alot of questions and got what seemed to be answers that were a little to technical, complicated, and out of my reach.  I eventually worked with some of the best body men in the area at the local shops and quickly learned the tools of the trade.  If you are looking for someone to give it to you straight, you’re at the right place.  Shortcuts and attention to detail are key, and are within your reach. I would love to share the autobody man’s secrets to flawless paint jobs that you can do at home or wherever you chose.  Their are a few things I’ll tell you in these articles that you MUST ALWAYS DO TO SUCCEED.  But don’t fret, you can do this and you can do this well; right now.

Looking to do some autobody work also.  Maybe your car or truck or motorcycles or even you’re big rig semi needs a little straitening out.  I’ll explain the basics of bondo (body fillers) fiberglass, rust repair, sheet metal  basics, basic and advanced dent pulling, buffing, detailing, color sanding (for that mirror finish) and just about everything else pertaining to autobody and paint. You can and will have the confidence to paint a car yourself, and yes, right where you are.  You don’t need a $250k shop for any of this, just a few simple tools paired with the desire and ambition to learn.  The tools of the trade are many, but you’ll be able to receive the results you desire with only a few.  If you desire to begin autobody whether it’s painting or autobody repair and tired of the “this is for the professionals only” quandary, you’ve found a great place to start right here at  London’s Autobody.

Tags: autobody techniques, body filler, Bondo, dolly, fiberglass repair, grinders, hammer, how to pull dents, painting, semi repair, slide hammer

Autobody Basic Essentials

Autobody & paint may certainly have one of life’s greatest rewards, but not without the basic essentials; so let’s live to tell about it.  The smell of paint and bondo to some may have a sweet smell that will linger in their minds the rest of their lives, but they also get to walk out of the bodyshop.  The painter doesn’t really have that luxury, since leaving the job midway through  would be devestating.  You certainly need to think preservation and about the basic essentials to assure yourself and your loved ones, you’ll make it home alive. I’m not trying to scare you but it happens, I’ve witnessed this once already and that says it all to me.  You must not only protect yourself, but also the environment, and those around you.  It never fails that when you are getting ready to do the days tasks, that you forget to have your basic essentials.  By basic essentials I mean items you’ll certainly need and want.  You’ll certainly want a decent pair of safety glasses (I know it but you gotta protect those eyes), a good quality dust mask and a paint respirator (full face OSHA approved).  Make sure you have the right size mask as they come in all sizes.  Other things you’ll desire to have is a box of latex gloves, they won’t last long but it’s better than trying to remove paint or bondo etc from your hands or worse yet your face.  It can be a daunting task.  Thinner works to remove them, but your blood, skin and the eyes really don’t care for it.  You’ll probably want a comfortable pair of work gloves as well as ear plugs.  Autobody and paint can be a “in your face battle” and you’ll be glad you got prepared.  These items should be available at your local autobody (parts) store (preferably the one that will mix your paint). 

Next thing you’re gonna want to do is research the tools you need and what you already have. If you are only repainting your car your probably not gonna need a welder or grinder, sander, cut-off wheel, die grinder etc. For painting a car or truck etc you’ll be glad to know you need only a few things to get you started.  Locating a place to paint and do autobody work is an essential thing to consider of course, you can do it outside I suppose, if you’re in California, but either way you’re gonna need yourself a good air compressor, at least a 5-6 hp with a holding capacity of 60 gallons min.  You’ll be painting and sanding sometimes for an hour or longer, granted there are breaks, but let’s not wreck the air compressor today, so keep that in mind. I’ll go further into detail in a later article.  Get yourself ready, your autobody and paint basic essentials have now made you ready to begin autobody.

Tags: autobody safety, Bondo, dust mask, grinders, how to autobody, paint respirator, painting, safety glasses, welders