Varieties of anti-gravel paints for cars and how to paint with your own hands
The anti-gravel coating is able to replace the standard paint and varnish materials with which the body is treated. This material provides complete protection for the metal and also improves the sound insulation characteristics. When choosing an anti-gravel for a car, several important parameters should be taken into account, including the degree of adhesion and granulation. The service life of the coating depends on it.
Anti-gravel functions
The body stone chip treatment is designed to provide the following characteristics:
- increased corrosion protection;
- increased resistance of metal to aggressive chemicals;
- improving the resistance to mechanical stress;
- improved protection against noise and vibration from inside the car.
Anti-gravel coatings were originally created to increase the protection of the car's underbody and underbody from the negative effects of the environment.
The characteristics of this material include a high level of adhesion to various surfaces, including painted ones. After drying, the composition forms a dense layer, comparable in characteristics to rubber.Due to this, after anti-gravel treatment, small stones bounce off the car body while driving.
Anti-Gravel Selection Rules
When choosing an anti-gravel coating, you should pay attention to the following features:
- Scope. For the treatment of the body, universal compounds are used, which, after drying, create a transparent film. To protect the bottom, sills and other parts, specialized anti-gravel materials are used. Such compositions after polymerization better protect the metal from mechanical stresses.
- Feature. This parameter is determined by the type of additives that are part of the anti-gravel. Most of the materials produced protect against corrosion and improve interior sound insulation. In addition, it is not uncommon for such products to contain components that prevent the negative impact of reagents. At the same time, if a large protective area is indicated on the package, which is provided by the composition, this anti-gravel should be discarded.
- Application process. This parameter determines the material consumption rate. For body care, it is recommended to purchase anti-gravel products in aerosol cans. But when creating a protective layer on the sills and bottom, the material is applied in several layers. In this case, consumption increases regardless of the form of rejection.
- Granularity. This parameter should be guided taking into account the area of future work. Coarse-grained compounds are used to protect plastic parts (castings, etc.), fine-grained metal surfaces.
- The degree of adhesion. This parameter is important if, after applying the anti-gravel, it is planned to paint the body. The higher the adhesion, the better the material adheres to the surface.
To increase the degree of protection of the body from external influences, it is recommended to purchase anti-gravel shoes with a stingray effect. This means a special composition, which after drying forms a rough layer, which increases the service life of the coating.
The best anti-gravel paints
As mentioned, when choosing an anti-gravel coating, it is recommended to take into account the current working area. For finishing the underbody, side sills and wheel arches, you need to purchase special compounds that provide the best protection for the metal.
Aerosol
This last drawback is not typical of all aerosols.
For sprayer
When choosing paints for a firearm, it should be borne in mind that some of these compounds do not protect the metal well from corrosion.
Type of movie
As in the case of other anti-chip agents, the characteristics of film-type paints directly depend on the type of components included in the composition.
Film-type anti-gravel, after gluing, creates a matte or glossy surface.
How to prepare the surface for application
Before applying the anti-gravel, the surface to be treated must be completely cleaned. For this you need:
- remove traces of corrosion;
- remove grease with a solvent;
- remove contamination with soapy water.
If defects are found, all cracks must be filled. After that, the surface is cleaned with fine-grained emery paper. Thanks to this treatment, the adhesion of the anti-gravel is increased. If necessary, the surface is also primed, which improves the adhesion of the protective layer to the metal.
DIY painting technology
At home, it is recommended to use anti-gravel for cars, produced in an aerosol can. In this case, the body painting is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- After preparing the metal, the areas that will not be treated are closed with adhesive tape.
- The box is shaken for 3-5 minutes.
- The box is exposed at a distance of 20-25 centimeters from the metal. When spraying, it is recommended to move smoothly, without stopping in one place. Otherwise, a darker spot will form on the surface. Also, when spraying, you need to get to the masking tape.
Anti-gravel should be applied in several layers (up to three), each time waiting for the previous one to dry completely. At the end of the procedure, the paint can be applied. This must be done the next day after the anti-gravel coating has dried.However, if it is planned to paint the entire body, and not just the processed parts, the material can be applied after the protective layer has dried.
Techniques, tricks and subtleties
If the bottom, sills and arches are being processed, then before starting the procedure, the wheels and discs should be sealed with tape. The composition should not fall on those areas that do not require a similar color. To protect the windows and headlights, it is recommended to use an anti-chip film.
In the event that the material falls into an area that does not require treatment, the composition can be removed using:
- solvent 646;
- pure acetone;
- White spirit;
- means for removing bitumen stains.
Before treating pure (gray) metal, it is recommended to first apply an acid primer to the surface, then an acrylic primer. Thanks to this combination, the adhesion of the anti-gravel coating increases and, consequently, the service life of the protective layer.
If a spray gun is used to treat bodywork, it is recommended that a small amount of material be applied to an inconspicuous area before beginning the procedure. In cases where the composition is too thick, the original mixture should be diluted with a solvent. If the product flows after application, the pressure in the compressor must be changed.
To change the degree of roughness, the composition must be mixed with a thinner. To reproduce the texture of the factory coating, the anti-gravel must first be applied to the cardboard. Then you can achieve the desired effect by changing the distance to the surface, the pressure in the compressor or the feed rate of the composition.
Solve common problems
The most common problems that craftsmen face when processing a body - the composition spreads and hardens for a long time. To avoid such consequences, it is recommended to purchase high-quality and expensive products.
Another common mistake is the use of universal background treatment compounds. It is recommended to paint these areas with bituminous materials.
Also, an important condition for creating a reliable and durable layer is the completion of all surface preparation procedures.