Often when we are undertaking some type of project, we will briefly assess any possible dangers that need to be avoided. Accidents often happen though when we neglect to look at all the possible hazards. In cases where products or equipment are being used we need to take the ?what if? approach when gauging the safety factors.
When it comes to spray painting a car there are many safety factors you must take a look at. One area is for personal safety and the other for success of the job.
From the personal safety point of view, you must remember that you are going to be dealing with primers, paints and finishes. Some of these can be harmful to breath or flammable. Ideally, you should read all labels and instructions on every product you will be using. These will inform you as to what specific safety precautions you must take. It is very important that you follow them.
To begin with, you must make sure that you have the proper mask. There are various types but you would be best to have two types. One is for dust so when you are sanding rust spots for example you should wear the appropriate mask. The other type is for fumes. Now if you are working in a well ventilated area you may not need this one. They sure are handy to have, and why take chances. Some paints and products are stronger than others.
This includes some of the commercial paint strippers as well.
Wearing gloves may be something you have to consider, particularly if you are using any caustic products, which may include the pain stripper. By wearing gloves, you are ensuring your hands are going to stay paint free, which means you won't need a chemical to remove the paint from them once you are finished.
Many people find wearing safety goggles a nuisance. Make no mistake though they could save your eyesight should an unfortunate accident occur. A piece of rust or even a splash from one of the products can be easily stopped by these glasses.
Aside from the safety clothing, you must consider your surroundings as well. Attempt to keep your work area clean and orderly. If you have all kinds of items, lying around it could not only be detrimental to your personal safety, but could create a lot of mess that would require a big clean up.
Concentrate on your work, which means no distractions if possible. Above all, keep children and pets away from your work area.
When it comes to safety tips on the actual job there are a few things you might want to remind yourself about. Hopefully you have done some research on how to paint your car, so you know the basics. Some of the errors that can give you the most problems are not having the car totally clean before you start. Or you didn't take the time to sand down the rough or rusted spots. Remember to do several light coats and allow for drying in between.
Once you have decided that you are going to repaint your vehicle then you are going to need to learn the techniques involved in getting a long lasting finish. Of course, the product you are going to need is car spray paint. This comes in a variety of forms, but each one has its own unique way of applying it.
You will find the most common type of car spray paint utilizes compressed gas. Then compressed air is used to provide the ability to spray it. There are also a variety of spray guns on the market specifically designed for this type of painting chores.
If you are doing just touchup or a small job then you should find the regular canned spray paint adequate. These are aerosol cans of car spray paint that are highly pressurized. To apply you keep your arm moving as you quickly apply a light coat of the paint to the desired area. Do not hesitate in moving the can as you will end up with runs.
Then you have to the option of using the large spray guns. In this case, the spray gun will combine the paint with the air to acquire the needed pressure. Again, you will only want to apply a light coat and again keep your arm moving. If you don't keep an even sweep of the paint, you will end up with an inconsistent finish. There is a lot of over spray with this method as about 1/3 will go to the object while 2/3rds goes into the air.
Another type of technique you can use is with a High Volume Low Pressure sprayer. It is very similar to the conventional spray gun except the gun requires less pressure. In this case, though a higher volume of air is needed. This method if you use it properly will mean reduced over spray so more car spray paint will reach the target area. In this case 2/3 rds of the paint will be utilized with 1/3 going into the air. Opinions differ as to whether one like using the HVLP techniques.
For hard to reach areas you can use the electrostatic spray painting. Once again, this method is more efficient for the amount of car spray paint that hit's the target area.
There are several other methods that are very similar. In regards to techniques it primarily depends on the type of equipment you are using. Most of the equipment used for car spray paint will come with instructions and suggestions. In almost every case though it will recommend several light coats as opposed to one or two heavy ones. The basic techniques of keeping the paint moving will most likely be instructed.
If possible, you may want to practice a little with whatever equipment you decide on. Better to make your mistakes on another object besides your car. If you don't you could end up with a lot more work than you bargained for.
Mario Goldstein has sinced written about articles on various topics from Painting, Home Security and Cars. If you want to learn how to spray paint your car easily, visit: SprayPaintSecrets.com - Video Training Discover how the professionals spray paint an. Mario Goldstein's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.