AUT-AUX9350 - Auto Restoration: Paint Systems
Course Description
This course is designed for DIY restorers and classic-car enthusiasts who want to achieve professional-looking paint finishes in a home shop or garage. Students are introduced to modern automotive paint systems and learn how to safely set up and operate spray equipment, including HVLP guns and basic mixing tools. Hands-on practice focuses on real-world refinishing skills such as color matching, applying basecoat and clearcoat, and blending repairs for a seamless appearance.
Along the way, students learn how to avoid common problems like runs, orange peel, and fish-eyes—and how to fix them if they happen. Special finishes such as pearls, metallics, and matte coatings are explored to help hobbyists personalize their projects. By the end of the course, learners will have the confidence to refinish panels or entire vehicles with durable, glossy results that bring restoration projects to life.
***IN ORDER TO SIGN UP FOR THIS COURSE, YOU MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE AUT-AUX9340 PRIOR TO REGISTRATION ***
Course Outline
- Unit 1: Introduction to Automotive Paint Systems
- Evolution of automotive coatings: lacquer, enamel, urethane, waterborne
- Paint chemistry basics (solvents, binders, pigments, additives)
- VOC regulations and environmental considerations
- OEM vs. refinish coatings
- Unit 2: Paint Shop Safety & Equipment
- Spray booth design and airflow
- Respiratory protection & PPE for painters
- Spray gun types (gravity, HVLP, RP) and setup
- Cleaning and maintaining spray guns
- Unit 3: Color Theory & Mixing
- Color wheel basics and automotive refinishing applications
- Factory codes and paint mixing systems
- Tinting, shading, and color matching
- Digital tools: spectrophotometers and mixing software
- Unit 4: Basecoats & Single-Stage Systems
- Differences between single-stage, basecoat-clearcoat, and tri-coat systems
- Solventborne vs. waterborne basecoats
- Spray gun setup for basecoat application
- Achieving even coverage and avoiding mottling/striping
- Unit 5: Clearcoats & Protective Finishes
- Role of clearcoat in protection and appearance
- Mixing ratios and curing times
- Spray techniques for gloss and depth
- Avoiding orange peel and runs
- Unit 6: Blending & Spot Repair
- Blending vs. full panel refinishing
- Techniques for color fade-out and clear blending
- Spot repair best practices
- Edge blending and feathering for seamless finish
- Unit 7: Common Paint Defects & Solutions
- Causes and fixes for runs, sags, fisheyes, solvent pop, dry spray, overspray
- Corrective techniques: nib sanding, polishing, buffing, and spot repair
- Identifying underlying prep vs. application errors
- Unit 8: Advanced Systems & Final Assessment
- Special finishes: pearls, metallics, candy, matte coatings
- OEM refinishing procedures
- Quality inspection and customer-ready finish
- Capstone Project
Learner Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and describe modern automotive paint systems and their chemistry.
- Safely set up and operate spray equipment in compliance with VOC and safety regulations.
- Mix and match colors using factory codes and digital tools.
- Apply basecoats, clearcoats, and single-stage paints with proper technique.
- Perform blending and spot repairs to achieve seamless refinishes.
- Inspect, identify, and correct paint defects for a professional finish.