scope:

The spray painting method for primers and enamels is a tried and proven technique which ensures that any overspray occuring falls on to a previously applied wet coat. The purpose of this standard is to obtain a complete wet coat on the entire outer vehicle surfaces, before any interior areas are attempted.

Paint overspray is capable of being totally absorbed by a freshly applied wet coat, such that after baking it is non-evident in the painted surface.

If however, overspray is permitted to fall on to dry surfaces, dry spray and surface irregularities will be evident after baking in the painted surface.

Poorly primed surfaces resulting from incorrect spray application may result in the primer film remaining porous after sanding and leading to primer defects such as "sinkage" which is visible after enamel application.

When spraying horizontal exterior surfaces, such as hood, roof or decklid, both operators should start at the same time, same place and spray simultaneously in the same direction. By maintaining this technique deposits of overspray on adjacent areas can be avoided. Larger areas such as hood, roof and decklid should always be sprayed from the centre outwards. Outside edges and corners should be sprayed last. Carrying out this operation in reverse order i.e. edges before centre will almost certainly result in orange peel in the baked film.

Interior surfaces must be sprayed after the exterior as this is the only way to ensure that unavoidable overspray is absorbed by the wet exterior coat. The first coat of paint must fully cover the body and be of sufficient wetness to absorb overspray, Care should be taken to avoid sags and runs.