Painting a Vehicle — Tips & Tricks

Our kits are pre-measured for your vehicle size. Motorcycle/bike: 1–2 quarts basecoat. Small car: 3–4 quarts. Medium car: 4–5 quarts. Large car/truck: 5–8 quarts. Single panel: 1 pint to 1 quart. When in doubt, always size UP — more product is much better than running out mid-project.

Every kit includes: AP-7541 DTM Primer/Sealer, your chosen basecoat color, urethane reducer matched to your spray temperature, activator/hardener for primer and clearcoat, Alpha 2K clearcoat, and step-by-step instructions. 3-stage colors also include the correct undercoat. Optional add-ons: masking tape/paper, body filler, finishing glaze, OptiGrit sandpaper, scuff pads, Sprayway Cleaning Spray, tack cloths.

As a sealer (most common for kits): 4:1:2 — 4 parts AP-7541, 1 part AH-7105 activator, 2 parts AR-30XX reducer. Use a 1.4mm needle at 25–30 PSI. Spray 1 medium wet coat, wet-on-wet. Topcoat in 15–20 minutes.
As high build: 4:1:1 — same but less reducer. Use a 1.8–2.0mm needle at 20–25 PSI. Spray 3–4 coats. Must sand after 3 hours if not topcoated.

Our basecoat comes Ready To Spray: spray it as supplied, with no reducer. Only if you ordered it unreduced, mix it 1:1 — equal parts basecoat to Alpha Urethane Reducer (example: 1 quart basecoat + 1 quart reducer). Choose reducer speed based on your spray temperature: AR-3070 (Medium, up to about 80°F) or AR-3080 (Slow, above 80°F).

2:1 — 2 parts AC-4521 clearcoat to 1 part AH-71XX activator. Choose activator by temperature: AH-7105 (Medium, 70–85°F), AH-7107 (Slow, 85–95°F+). No reducer needed, but you can add up to 10% AR-30XX if it's too thick for your spray style. Pot life is 1 hour at 68°F, so only mix what you can spray in that window.

At 70°F or warmer, spray clear 30 minutes to 1 hour after the entire surface, even cracks and crevices, is completely dry to the touch. Important 8-Hour Rule: If basecoat sits uncoated for more than 8 hours, you must scuff with 600–800 grit before applying clearcoat.

Recoat when the previous coat is "fingerprinting" — meaning when you touch the overspray on your masking tape and it leaves a fingerprint. This is typically 8–10 minutes. Spray 2–3 full wet coats total.

Ideal painting temperature is 65–85°F. Most projects are sprayed in 71–90°F. The temperature determines which reducer and activator speed you need. Don't spray below 55°F. Avoid painting in direct sunlight or above 80% humidity.

Yes, you need an HVLP spray gun with a 1.3mm nozzle for basecoat and a 1.4–1.5mm nozzle for clearcoat. For high-build primer, use a 1.8–2.0mm nozzle. You also need an air compressor: 12+ CFM at 40 PSI with at least a 60 gallon tank (30 gallon bare minimum for panels only). Must have a moisture separator, desiccant dryer, and regulator with water trap. Drain the tank after every use.

Fisheyes are caused by silicone, wax, grease, oil, or contaminated air. They CANNOT be buffed out. You must sand back completely with 800–1200 grit, clean thoroughly, and repaint. Prevention: clean with wax & grease remover before primer (isopropyl alcohol or Sprayway Cleaning Spray once 1K products are on), install a moisture separator on your air line, and keep all silicone-based products far from your spray area.

Yes. Wait 12 hours for AC-4521 to fully cure, then wet sand with 1500 grit (horizontal strokes until uniformly flat), then 2000 grit (vertical, 90° to previous direction), optionally 3000 grit, then compound with a DA polisher, and finish with a finishing polish. Watch the edges — clearcoat is thinnest there. If you see color on your sandpaper, stop immediately.

Metal Up: Stripped to bare metal and restored from scratch — full primer, sealer, basecoat, clearcoat. Light Body Work: Vehicle is overall in good shape but has some areas needing filler and spot priming. Scuff & Shoot: Vehicle is in mint condition or it's a budget build — just scuff the existing finish and paint over it. No body work or heavy primer needed.

Highly recommended. Seeing the color in person under different lighting and angles will make you 100% sure before buying a full kit. All OEM colors should be blended into surrounding panels since your original paint has aged/faded.

Yes — we offer the same Alpha formulas in aerosol cans. Great for wheels, bumpers, panels, helmets, and RC cars. Shake for 45–60 seconds, hold the can 5–6 inches away, 2–4 medium coats with 10 minutes (or until matte) between coats. Our 2K clearcoat cans have about a 24 hour pot life after activation. You can wet sand and polish spray can clear just like spray gun application.

2K clear contains isocyanates. Spray with good airflow, and wear a paint-rated respirator, gloves and goggles every time.