Procedure allowing paint outThe first step is to analyze the initial condition of the coatings in detail, since applying a new pigment to damaged skin or cracked plastic without prior restoration will lead to detachment of the coating after a couple of months of operation. Professional colorists and masters of delimiting emphasize that the successful change in the color of the interior by 90% depends on the quality of degreasing and grinding, and not on the brand of the aerosol used. Unlike bodywork, where perfect polishing is important, adhesion to complex surfaces such as Teflon impregnations or factory lacquer layers is critical.
Choosing a method to change the color of the interior elements, the owner often faces a dilemma: full retraction or painting. If the structure of the material is intact, then painting becomes a cost-effective solution that allows you to implement complex design ideas, for example, to make a two-tone interior or add contrasting inserts. Modern. acrylic and polyurethane compositions have high elasticity, which allows the stained parts to bend and stretch without forming microcracks.
It is necessary to immediately tune in to the fact that the work will require dismantling most elements, since it is almost impossible to paint the cabin qualitatively without removing the seats and panels without the risk of dusting adjacent areas. Deep cleaning of porous materials from dirt, skin fat and silicone polyroles is a mandatory step, the neglect of which negates all efforts. Only after mechanical preparation of the surface ready to accept a new layer of paint, which will radically change the perception of the internal space of the machine.
Selection of materials for painting different surfaces
The autotuning chemistry market offers specialized solutions for each type of material, and there is no universal composition that holds equally well on fabric, leather and hard plastic. For leather seats and steering wheels, water-dispersion are considered the best choice. dyes polyurethane-based, which after drying form a strong but elastic film. Such compositions do not clog the pores of natural skin, allowing the material to "breathe", and have high resistance to abrasion and ultraviolet radiation.
For plastic elements of torpedo, door cards and central tonique, more aggressive solutions are used, often containing adhesive additives that provide adhesion to smooth surfaces. ABS plastic. It is important to distinguish between hard plastic and soft-touch coatings, since the latter require pre-treatment by special primers, otherwise the paint will simply peel off at the first touch. Fabric inserts such as alcantara or velour are painted by another technique, often using airbrushing and subsequent fixation of color with steam or special fixers.
⚠️ Warning: Never use conventional enamel or nitro paint to paint the cabin, as they do not have the necessary elasticity and when heated in the sun or compressed material is guaranteed to crack.
When selecting a shade, it is worth considering that the final color may differ from the one stated in the catalog due to the texture of the base and the number of layers applied. Experts recommend conducting a test staining on an inconspicuous area or on a sample of material to assess the final result and material consumption. It is also important to purchase compatible solvents and fixers from one manufacturer so that the chemical composition of all layers is uniform.
- 🎨 Water-based acrylic paints - ideal for the skin, environmentally friendly, quickly dry and do not have a sharp smell.
- 💧 Polyurethane lacquers - used to create a protective finish layer that increases wear resistance.
- 🧪 Adhesive soils - necessary for plastic parts with a complex surface structure.
- 🖌️ Pigment pastes - allow you to color the base base in any unique shade over the RAL or NCS fan.
Technology of surface preparation for painting
High-quality surface preparation takes up to 70% of the time allotted to work, and is the foundation of the durability of the new coating. The first stage is always a deep chemical cleaning using alkaline cleaners, which remove ingrained dirt, fat spots and remnants of factory protective compounds. After washing, the surface must be thoroughly dried, since the presence of moisture under the paint layer will lead to swelling and defects.
Mechanical processing involves the use of abrasive materials of various grains, for example, scotch brights or small sandpaper. P800-P1200. The goal of this stage is to create micro scratches that will increase the contact area of the paint with the base, providing a reliable grip. Glossy plastic parts require mandatory matting, otherwise the paint layer will be held solely by surface tension and quickly move away with the film.
Degreasing is the final step before applying soil or paint, and special anti-silicone solvents are used for this. This procedure should be carried out in gloves so as not to leave on the surface new fatty traces from the fingers, which can manifest themselves after drying the coating. Cleanliness of the workplace also plays a role, as dust deposited on a sticky layer of paint will spoil the appearance of the part.
☑️ Checklist of salon preparation
In the process of preparation, it is important not to overdo it with abrasives on soft skin, so as not to damage the facial layer of the material. For delicate surfaces, it is better to use special cleaners and light Scotch Brights, which only lift the pile or remove gloss, without violating the integrity of the structure. Properly prepared surface should be matte, clean and slightly rough to the touch.
Paint and drying process
The technology of applying paint in a garage or workshop requires the use of a spray gun with a properly selected duse, usually from 1.3 to 1.5 mm, which allows you to create a torch with optimal spraying. The paint should be applied in thin layers, allowing each previous layer to dry for 10-15 minutes to avoid sweating and uneven distribution of the pigment. The first layer is often made "dust", creating a base for clutch, and the subsequent is applied more saturatedly to overlap the original color.
Painting hard-to-reach places, such as seat seams or relief areas of plastic, may require the use of an airbrush or even special brushes for art painting, if it is about fine details. It is important to keep a distance to the surface, which is usually 15-20 cm, and keep the tool perpendylyarno plane part. Violation of the angle of inclination can lead to the formation of a "shagrene" structure or dry spraying.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to accelerate drying with industrial dryers at high temperatures, as this can lead to boiling of the solvent inside the layer and the formation of bubbles.
Drying of painted parts should take place in conditions that exclude dust and direct sunlight, at an air temperature of +18 to +25 degrees Celsius. Full polymerization of modern acrylic formulations takes from 24 to 48 hours, during which it is not recommended to operate the car or expose parts to mechanical action. Some formulations require the application of a fixing varnish to give matteness or gloss and additional protection.
Safety Techniques for Painting
Work should be carried out in a well-ventilated room or use exhaust ventilation. It is necessary to use a respirator with carbon filters and protective glasses, since solvent pairs and aerosol suspension are toxic to the respiratory system and mucous membranes. Clothing should cover exposed areas of skin, and hands should be protected with nitrile gloves.
If defects are found in the process, such as dust or minor irregularities, they can be eliminated by polishing after drying completely using fine-abrasive polishes. However, it is better to prevent their appearance by ensuring cleanliness in the paint chamber. A professional approach involves controlling humidity and temperature, since high humidity can cause clouding of the lacquer layer.
Features of painting leather seats
Painting leather seats is the most difficult stage due to the constant deformation of the material during operation and contact with the clothes of passengers. Skin is a living material that stretches and contracts, so the paint must have exceptional elasticity comparable to the base itself. To achieve this result, the method of applying several thin layers with mandatory intermediate drying and fixation is often used.
Before starting work, covers are often removed from the seats to be able to paint them from all sides and avoid getting paint on the foam, which can absorb solvents and change its properties. Seams on leather products require special attention: they often accumulate paint, forming unaesthetic floods, so the masters use the technique of “stretching” or carefully work with a brush. After painting, the seams may require additional processing to preserve the relief.
Finishing the skin involves applying a protective top coat that gives the material the desired degree of shine (from super mat to gloss) and tactile softness. Without such a layer, the stained skin may appear “plastic” and sticky to the touch, which reduces comfort. Quality top koat also protects the pigment from fading under the influence of ultraviolet light and abrasion by denim fabric.
- 🧵 Preservation of perforation It is important not to fill the holes in the skin with paint, using minimal pressure when sprayed.
- 👐 Tactile properties The final coating should be pleasant to the touch and not stick to the skin in hot weather.
- 🛡️ Seam protection - crosslinking places of parts are most susceptible to abrasion and require enhanced color fixing.
- 🌡️ Heat resistance The material must withstand heating up to +80 degrees without changing color and stickiness.
The main secret of durability of skin painting is the use of specialized elastic soil, which creates a binder layer between the oily skin base and the pigment.
Restoration and painting of plastic elements
Plastic in the car is subject to fading and scratching, so painting is often combined with the restoration of chipped and cracks. For deep damage, two-component putty for plastic is used, which after drying are polished in level with the main surface. Smooth plastic requires the mandatory use of adhesive soil, since many car plastics have low surface energy and paint on them simply does not hold.
A special approach requires soft plastics with coating Soft-touchAnd they start to get stuck and get stuck over time. In such cases, the old coating is completely removed by special washes or mechanically to a solid base, after which the surface is ground and painted in the desired color, often mimicking carbon or wood. This allows you to breathe new life into the worn interior elements without expensive replacement.
When painting plastic panels, it is important to take into account their texture: if the factory texture ("shagren") should be preserved, then the paint is applied very thinly so as not to fill the relief. If you plan to create a smooth glossy surface, then a thicker layer of soil-filler and subsequent grinding is required. The correct selection of layer thickness allows you to hide small defects of casting plastic.
| Type of plastic | Necessary soil | Type of paint | Finishing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard ABS. | akri |