Car Painting Course

Lesson 1 • Automotive Paint Systems Overview

Covers lacquer, enamel, basecoat-clearcoat, and waterborne systems. Establishes vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Tools and Equipment Identification

Introduces spray guns, compressors, mixing scales, and measuring cups. Correct tool selection underpins every technique taught later.

Lesson 3 • Workspace Setup and Organisation

Teaches spray booth layout, lighting standards, and contamination prevention. A properly organised workspace reduces defects introduced in later stages.

Lesson 1 • Primer Types and Application

Distinguishes etch, epoxy, and high-build primers and their correct use cases. Proper primer selection seals the substrate and builds the foundation for topcoats.

Lesson 2 • Masking and Tape Application

Covers masking tape grades, paper vs. film, and edge-sealing methods. Precise masking defines clean paint lines and protects adjacent surfaces.

Lesson 3 • Panel Inspection and Damage Assessment

Teaches visual and tactile inspection to locate rust, dents, and previous repairs. Accurate assessment drives the correct prep sequence.

Lesson 4 • Cleaning and Degreasing Techniques

Covers solvent wipe-down, soap wash, and clay bar decontamination. Contamination removed here prevents fisheye and adhesion failures later.

Lesson 1 • Gun Cleaning and Maintenance

Details solvent flushing, disassembly, and component inspection routines. Proper maintenance extends gun life and prevents contamination in future jobs.

Lesson 2 • Spray Pattern Testing and Adjustment

Uses test panels and spray-out cards to evaluate pattern shape and distribution. Pattern analysis guides adjustments before applying product to the vehicle.

Lesson 3 • Spray Gun Anatomy and Components

Identifies fluid tip, air cap, needle, and trigger components and their functions. Understanding parts enables accurate setup and troubleshooting.

Lesson 4 • Air Pressure and Fluid Adjustment

Teaches inlet pressure, atomisation pressure, and fluid flow calibration. Balanced settings produce correct droplet size and film thickness.

Lesson 1 • Tinting and Formula Adjustment

Teaches tinting bases to shift hue, value, or chroma towards a target colour. Controlled tinting reduces material waste and rework time.

Lesson 2 • Spray-Out Cards and Visual Evaluation

Produces spray-out cards at correct film build for side-by-side colour comparison. Evaluation under multiple light sources confirms match before panel application.

Lesson 3 • Colour Theory for Automotive Refinishing

Explains hue, value, chroma, and metamerism as applied to vehicle colour. Colour theory knowledge guides mixing adjustments and match evaluation.

Lesson 1 • Panel Blending Fundamentals

Introduces blending zones, reducer selection, and melt-in technique for partial repairs. Blending minimises colour mismatch at repair boundaries on adjacent panels.

Lesson 2 • Basecoat Defect Recognition

Identifies mottling, striping, and poor hiding at the basecoat stage before clearcoat is applied. Early defect detection prevents costly rework after clear application.

Lesson 3 • Metallic Basecoat Control

Addresses flake orientation, gun distance, and final orientation coats for metallics. Consistent flake lay prevents light-dark mottling visible in the final finish.

Lesson 4 • Pearl and Tri-Coat Basecoat Application

Explains pearl pigment behaviour and the three-stage tri-coat system. Correct layer sequencing achieves the depth and colour shift of OEM pearl finishes.

Lesson 1 • Clearcoat Application Sequence

Details tack coat, full wet coats, and film build targets in microns. Consistent sequencing produces the depth and gloss required before polishing.

Lesson 2 • Clearcoat Chemistry and Selection

Compares 2K urethane, waterborne, and ceramic-infused clears by performance and application window. Correct clear selection matches the repair environment and customer expectation.

Lesson 3 • Curing Methods and Times

Covers ambient, forced-air, and infrared curing with correct temperature and time parameters. Proper cure ensures hardness and chemical resistance before compounding.

Lesson 1 • Machine Polisher Types and Pad Selection

Compares rotary and dual-action polishers and matches pad type to compound grade. Correct machine and pad pairing maximises cut while minimising swirl risk.

Lesson 2 • Abrasive Finishing Fundamentals

Explains cut, polish, and finish compound grades and their effect on clear film. Selecting the correct abrasive level prevents unnecessary film removal.

Lesson 3 • Paint Protection and Final Detailing

Applies sealant or wax to protect the fresh finish and complete the job. Final detailing steps ensure a clean, professional delivery condition.

Lesson 4 • Polishing and Swirl Removal

Applies finishing polish to remove compound haze and micro-scratches. Final polish step produces the gloss depth required for customer delivery.

Lesson 1 • Full Vehicle Spray Sequence

Establishes the correct panel spray order to minimise overspray contamination. Systematic sequencing maintains wet edges and consistent film build across all panels.

Lesson 2 • Quality Control Checkpoints

Implements inspection gates at primer, basecoat, and clearcoat stages. Checkpoint discipline catches defects early and reduces total rework time.

Lesson 3 • Job Planning and Material Estimation

Calculates paint volume, primer, and consumable quantities for a full vehicle. Accurate estimation prevents mid-job shortages and controls material cost.

Lesson 4 • Reassembly and Customer Delivery

Guides trim reinstallation, final detailing, and customer walkthrough procedures. Professional delivery builds customer confidence and reduces comeback claims.