Automotive Painting: The Guide To Automotive Paint Types

Automotive Painting Guide for Technicians

When you look at a car, one of the first things you probably notice is the color and condition of its paint. A shiny, even layer of paint makes a vehicle much more desirable, whereas faded, chipped paint can instantly lower the value of a car.

Painting a car might seem like a simple task, but it’s actually quite a complex process. Collision repair technicians must know about the various types of car paint and how they should be used, whether a vehicle is being painted for the first time, or whether the paint is being repaired after a collision or from fading due to wear and tear.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of car paint and how they apply to the career of a collision repair technician.

Key points:

• Car paint serves both protective and aesthetic purposes, with modern paints designed to resist fading and damage from environmental factors. The application process has evolved to be more efficient, with several coats drying in just a few hours.
• There are various types of car paint, including acrylic polyurethane enamel with a primer, basecoat and clear topcoat. Paint can come in spray, liquid or powder form, with options for both removable and nonremovable applications. 
• Common automotive paint types include lacquer (used historically and for classic car restorations), single-stage paint (combining color and gloss, often used on commercial vehicles) and basecoat clearcoat paint (a two-stage system offering shine and protection).
• Tri-coat or multi-stage paint systems are used for high-end vehicles, involving a basecoat, a mid-coat with additives for depth, and a clearcoat for protection. Waterborne paint systems are environmentally friendly alternatives to solvent-borne systems, reducing VOC emissions.
• Collision repair technicians need to understand the different types of car paint and their applications. Training programs like the Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program at Universal Technical Institute prepare students with the necessary skills and offer opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials.¹

What Is Automotive Paint Made Of

Automotive paint is made of several components that work together to provide color, adhesion, durability and a high-quality finish. The primary elements include pigments, binders, solvents and additives.

• Pigments are responsible for the color of the paint, offering a wide range of hues and shades.
• Binders, also known as resins, play a crucial role in forming a solid film that sticks to the vehicle's surface, ensuring the paint's durability and resistance to environmental factors.
• Solvents are used to dissolve the pigments and binders, making the paint easy to apply while allowing it to dry and cure properly.
• Additives are incorporated to enhance specific properties such as UV resistance, flexibility and surface smoothness, contributing to the overall performance and longevity of the paint.

What Kind of Paint Is Used on Cars?

Car paint is used to protect vehicles while also being pleasing to the eye. Adding color to a car gives it a sense of personalization — and for many drivers, it’s a way of expressing themselves.

As with many automotive components, the quality of car paint has evolved over the years. In the past, car paint would fade and chip much quicker, and it would be much more susceptible to different elements like acid rain, dust, tree sap and bird droppings.

The process used to paint vehicles has also changed. When cars were new to the scene, paint was applied manually and had to dry for weeks at room temperature. However, as more and more cars were manufactured, this became inefficient. Today, paint is applied in several coats and dries in just a few hours.

Read: What Damages Car Paint? 13 Things To Look Out For

What Types of Car Paint Are There?

Most modern vehicles use an acrylic polyurethane “enamel” with a primer, basecoat and clear topcoat. Paint comes in several different forms, including:

• Spray: This type of paint is ideal for someone painting their own car.
• Liquid: Polyurethane paints are often in liquid form and require a compressor to apply.
• Powder or “powder coating”: This is essentially paint with the solvent part removed. The coating is applied electrostatically and then cured under heat, which causes it to form a kind of “skin.” Usually, powder is used to coat metals, but there are many potential applications.

Car paint also comes in removable and nonremovable forms. Removable paint is used to customize vehicles and puts a rubberized coating, or “wrap,” on the vehicle that can be peeled off later. Nonremovable paint is typically used when initially painting a vehicle or doing touch-ups.

Read: How To Restore Faded Car Paint

A Breakdown of Automotive Paint Types

There are many kinds of paint that can be applied to a vehicle. Each type comes with pros and cons, and the choice is made depending on the make of the car and the desired look. Some paints are more difficult than others to apply and will require special equipment.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most common types of automotive paint:

Lacquer

In the early days of vehicle painting, lacquer was a common paint choice. However, it’s been discontinued by many manufacturers as brands continue to release new paints that offer better shine and surface protection. In some cases, owners of antique and classic cars will look to have their vehicles restored using lacquer paint to mimic their original look.

Single-stage paint

This type of paint mixes the color and gloss into one formula. Single-stage paint usually comes in a solid color and is often used on commercial vehicles and trucks. Typically, single-stage paint comes in nonmetallic colors like red or white, but it can be found in metallic shades. The application technique varies based on whether a metallic or nonmetallic shade is used.

Basecoat clearcoat paint

This is a two-stage paint system that includes a coat of colored paint (solid or metallic) followed by a separate clearcoat. This process is more complex; however, it provides both shine and protection for the vehicle. The clearcoat is designed to be durable to provide high shine and keep the paint underneath intact. For example, it contains UV inhibitors to prevent oxidation and fading.

Tri-coat or multi-stage paint

This paint system is commonly used for high-end vehicles. It starts with a basecoat, followed by a mid-coat that is translucent and contains pearls or another additive to enhance the solid color underneath. Lastly, a clear coat is applied to protect the color and add luster and shine.

Waterborne and solvent-borne paint systems

Solvent-borne paint systems have been used in the automotive industry for years. However, they contain large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which present both environmental and health concerns. To solve this, waterborne paint systems were introduced, which are a much better alternative for the planet.

Waterborne paints attach to particles of water rather than solvents and provide great results without harming the environment. As solvent-borne paints have become banned in some areas, there are now plenty of options when it comes to using waterborne paints, like water-based acrylic and polyurethane paints (not to be confused with polypropylene used in automotive plastic repair).

What Automotive Paint Technicians Need To Know

Understanding the different types of car paint and their applications is essential for collision repair technicians to know. In Universal Technical Institute’s Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program, students learn how to properly apply and repair waterborne and solvent-borne paint systems.

Students also have the chance to take courses on a variety of other topics, including:

• Exterior panel alignment and repair
• Welding and cutting
• Structural damage analysis
• Introduction to refinishing
• Vehicle preparation for painting
• Finish applications
• Power systems & controls

The CRRT program is unique in that it gives students the opportunity to earn I-CAR credentials, which are highly valued in the industry and recognized by employers. Thanks to UTI’s industry relationships, students can train on equipment from leading brands like 3M, Axalta and Chief Automotive Technologies.

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