Aerosol Paint Tips
Safety
While aerosol paints do not have isocyanides we still need to protect ourselves.
Use in a well ventilated area. Use proper health protective equipment consisting but not limited to a respirator, gloves, and proper skin protection. A paint suit will also keep your item that you are painting cleaner also.
Do not use near a open flame.
Disclaimer
I will be the first to tell you that a aerosol paint will never be as good as a catalyzed product out of a spray gun. Vintage Paints offer both Aerosol and Liquid paint which are both quality automobile quality products.
A hardener will help the gloss and improve chemical resistance including Gasoline, carburetor cleaner and other chemicals along with improve UV protection from the sun. There is no hardener in aerosol paint unless you get some very high tech 2K aerosol, now available also from Vintage Paint.
Color match should also be checked BEFORE painting.
Our Product
The paint that Vintage Paint supplies is a quality automotive grade enamel product. This will have higher solids which cover better than many "hardware store" type products.
These are Custom Filled Cans with high quality paint and quality reducer which aids in the painting process.
Vintage paint is not about choosing a "close enough" to the original color, but supplying accurate color that restoration specialists and hobbyists alike will be satisfied with.
Please read the Vintage Paint Color Information page before continuing.
The next equation for a quality product is the aerosol can itself. Vintage Paint has tried many aerosol paint can/nozzle set ups and is using the best that we can find, not the cheapest. You will find that this can/product combination sprays very much like a paint gun. A better can is also needed to spray higher solid products which we are supplying you.
The nozzle can be turned to move your pattern from a vertical position to a horizontal position if desired.
You will see a small amount of paint on the nozzle when you get the aerosol. The can is shaken and purged when it is filled. This cleans the pickup tube and verifies that the can has a proper charge before it is shipped.
I am now sending a spare nozzle for free with each can. This is a spare incase the first one gets plugged, but you will also notice a bit different spray pattern. Check out which one sprays best for your needs.
Tips for Success
The better the prep before painting, the better your results will be. Please read the Paint Tips Page.
Always tip the aerosol can upside down and purge paint out of the pick up tube when done. This will also help spitting if done in between coats.
The can MUST be shaken properly to thoroughly agitate the paint. The paint solids will settle and plug the pickup tube if not shaken properly. The aerosol can is now useless to you and the cans are not warranted for improper use. If the can is shaken properly, the bottom of the can should have small dents from the ball inside. Shaking between coats will help keep the product properly suspended during the painting process.
Do not use if the can is below 70 degrees. Warm can by soaking the lower 2/3 of the can in warm water, or setting in a warm area. This will allow the viscosity of the paint to be at it's best spraying temperature.
If your can is spitting and or plugging the nozzle, more than likely the can is too cold! (note the 2k epoxy will start plugging the nozzle when the paint is getting past it's prime, warming it may also help though)
Make sure what you are painting is at least 70 degree's also for best results. If the item that you are painting is cold, your paint will not flow properly, and your dry times will be increased a LOT.
Between coats and when finished painting, dipping your nozzle in lacquer thinner and then blowing it out will keep the nozzle from getting plugged. Extra nozzles are available for sale.
Making sure that paint does not build up in the nozzle cavity during the painting process can keep the can from dripping.
The can will work best in the upright position as the paint needs to cover the bottom of the material pickup tube.
Use over Vintage Sleds primer or test over other brands of primers before painting. Please read the Paint Tips Page. NOTE: Enamel paint cannot be put over lacquer primers.
Allow plenty of "flash" or dry time between coats. Rushing paint only causes headaches.
Apply thin coats not heavy coats.
Store in the upright position at normal room temperatures.
Warning, using a tip from a different can can cause the can to discharge it entire contents in a uncontrolled manner. Only use the tips supplied with the Aerosol can from Vintage Paint.