Red Seal Auto Refinishing key terms

A permanent allergic reaction of the airways and skin caused by repeated exposure to isocyanate hardeners. Once sensitized, a worker may react to very low concentrations, so exposure control and medical surveillance are essential.

A respirator that delivers breathable air from a remote compressor or cylinder through a hose to a full facepiece. Required for spray painting isocyanates because cartridge respirators do not reliably remove them.

The controlled movement of filtered air through a booth that carries overspray and solvent vapour away from the painter. Measured as face velocity, it must be verified and documented to keep exposure within limits.

The mass of volatile organic compounds per volume of a coating, typically grams per litre. Regulations cap it, and it determines solvent odour, drying behaviour, and which thinners may legally be used.

A tracking document that accompanies waste solvent, leftover paint, and contaminated filters from the shop to a licensed disposal facility. It records quantities, hazards, and signatures confirming custody at each transfer.

A standardized document listing a product's hazards, ingredients, handling precautions, and emergency measures. It must be accessible to workers and referenced when mixing, storing, or disposing of refinish materials.

An enclosed unit that sprays solvent onto spray guns to clean them, capturing runoff and fumes. It reduces solvent exposure and collects waste liquid for proper disposal rather than sending it to drains.

A high-volume, low-pressure gun that atomizes paint with high air volume at low pressure, usually under 10 psi at the cap. It transfers more material to the panel and produces less overspray and solvent emission.

The interchangeable nozzle at the front of a spray gun that meters liquid paint flow. Its size is selected by material viscosity, with larger tips for primers and fillers and smaller tips for basecoats and clearcoats.

A matched needle, nozzle, and sometimes air cap combination sized as a set. Mixing components from different sets causes uneven atomization and incorrect fluid flow, so they are replaced together.

The front fitting of a spray gun that shapes the atomizing air and forms the spray pattern. Its horn holes and centre port determine pattern width and how well the material is broken into droplets.

A check made by spraying a burst onto a test card to confirm the pattern is even, centred, and free of tails or spitting. It verifies gun setup and cleanliness before committing to a panel.

The routine of flushing and wiping a gun after use so cured material does not block passages or distort the pattern. It includes cleaning the air cap, fluid tip, and needle without scratching their surfaces.

Scheduled replacement of intake and exhaust filters so airflow stays within specification and dust is not drawn onto wet paint. Clogged filters reduce face velocity and cause contamination and exposure problems.

Determining what a panel is made of and how it is coated, such as steel, aluminium, plastic, or factory finish. The result dictates abrasives, cleaning agents, primers, and whether flex additives are needed.

A gradual taper sanded at the border of a repaired area so the new coating blends into the surrounding finish without a visible ridge. It is checked by feel and with a guide coat.

A thin contrasting mist applied over primer or filler to reveal low spots, pinholes, and scratches during sanding. It is sanded away, showing where more levelling work is required.

The cleaning, sanding, and treating of a panel before any coating is applied. It removes wax, silicone, rust, and old finish so the new layers can bond reliably.

A resin-impregnated cloth used to pick up dust and lint from a prepared surface just before coating. It is wiped lightly so it does not leave residue that could cause adhesion or finish defects.

A cleaner formulated to dissolve wax, grease, and silicone from panels without attacking the existing finish. It is wiped on and off with clean cloths to lift contamination rather than spread it.

A factory-approved alternate version of a colour code that accounts for plant-to-plant or year-to-year differences. The painter compares spray-out cards against the vehicle to choose the best match.

A test panel sprayed with a mixed colour and compared against the vehicle under proper light. It shows how the colour behaves when applied and dried rather than how it looks in the mixing cup.

A concentrated pigment dispersion added in small measured amounts to adjust a mixed colour's hue, value, or chroma. Over-tinting is hard to reverse, so additions are weighed carefully and recorded.

The specified proportion of base, hardener, and thinner, usually given by volume or weight. Getting it wrong changes cure speed, gloss, adhesion, and pot life, so it must be measured accurately.

The working time a catalysed product remains usable after mixing. After it expires the material thickens and will not cure properly, so batches are mixed to match the job size.

A coating that builds film thickness and sands smooth to fill sanding scratches and minor imperfections before topcoat. It also improves adhesion and can be tinted to reduce topcoat coverage needed.

A thin coating applied over prepared or repaired areas to provide a uniform, sealed base that prevents bleed-through and promotes topcoat adhesion. It is often tinted to match the basecoat.

A barrier coating used over problematic substrates or old finishes that could bleed or lift. It seals the surface so solvents and pigments from below cannot migrate into the new topcoat.

A thin, acidic primer that promotes adhesion to bare metal such as aluminium and steel. It is applied sparingly because excess film can reduce corrosion resistance and interfere with later coats.

The colour coat in a basecoat/clearcoat system that provides hue and metallic or pearl effect. It dries matte and relies on the clearcoat above for gloss and protection.

The transparent topcoat that provides gloss, UV protection, and chemical resistance over a basecoat. Its film build and flow determine durability and appearance, so application technique matters greatly.

An adjacent undamaged panel onto which colour is faded to hide the repair boundary. Blending within the panel, rather than at a hard edge, makes a colour mismatch far less noticeable.

Airborne paint droplets that settle as a dry, rough film on surrounding surfaces. It wastes material, contaminates finishes, and creates health and cleanup concerns, so containment and correct gun settings are used.

A finish defect with a bumpy, citrus-like texture caused by poor atomization, incorrect thinner, too-fast drying, or improper gun distance. It is corrected by sanding and polishing or by improving application technique.

Small circular craters in a coating caused by silicone or oil contamination on the panel or in the air line. The finish pulls away from the contaminated spot, so thorough cleaning and filtration are the prevention.

Small blisters or pinholes formed when trapped solvent escapes too quickly from a coating that skinned over. It results from excessive film build, too little flash time, or overly fast thinner.

The waiting period between coats that allows solvents to evaporate before the next layer is applied. Too short a time traps solvent and causes popping, runs, or poor adhesion.

A solvent added to a coating to adjust viscosity for spraying. Its speed, temperature range, and VOC compliance must match the product and shop conditions to avoid defects.

A reactive curing agent used in clearcoats and some primers that crosslinks the film. It is a potent respiratory and skin sensitizer, so supplied-air protection and careful handling are mandatory.

A light source with a defined colour temperature used to judge a colour match under consistent conditions. Checking under more than one source helps reveal metamerism before the vehicle is delivered.

The written record of a repair describing the vehicle, damage, materials used, batch numbers, and customer approvals. It supports warranty claims, traceability, and clear communication if a dispute arises.

Documented approval from the vehicle owner or insurer before additional work or cost beyond the original estimate. It protects both parties and prevents disputes over unexpected charges or changed scope.