AUTO BODY AND PAINT TERMS "A" PILLAR-the pillar that holds the front of the roof up, on either side of the windshield ATOMIZATION-breaking up of a liquid (paint) into a fine mist by introducing air - done with a spray gun "B" PILLAR-the pillar that holds the roof up just behind the front door and in front of the quarter window-on a 4 door it is between the front and rear doors BASE COAT-a color coat applied to a surface-it has low gloss and no protection from U.V. light and must be clear coated to achieve longevity and a glossy appearance BENCH-a frame machine-a dedicated fixture that a car is either rolled upon or attached to that uses hydraulic rams, clamps, chains and fixtures or a measuring system in order to realign and straighten collision damaged frames and unibodies BLEEDING-a color below that comes through a top coat BLEND-tapering coats of paint off to achieve a smooth transition between new paint and old paint BLOCK SAND-sanding a panel using a sanding block to back up the sandpaper, this makes it possible to smooth the material being sanded, creating a level surface BUILD-also known as film build-the thickness of material applied to a surface BUFF- AKA compound, polish, cut-to remove fine scratches or oxidation and level orange peel by using a buffing pad and compound or polish BUTT WELD-a joint where metal panels are joined edge to edge or "butted" together "C" PILLAR-the pillar that holds the rear of the roof up on either side of the rear glass CATALYST-a paint additive that creates a chemical reaction that lets a painted surface cure and improves its hardness and gloss CHARACTER LINE-a ridge or profile shape that runs down the side of a car or along a panel, it is what gives a flat panel structural strength CHECK-a small crack in a painted surface CLEAR COAT-a finish that has no pigments- It is transparent and is what gives a base coat its gloss and protects a base coat from U.V. damage COMPOUND- an super fine liquid abrasive that smoothes and polishes a paint surface COLOR SANDING-sanding a top coat with ultra fine grit sand paper to level orange peel and remove small dust particles and imperfections prior to polishing CONTAMINANT-anything on a surface that would adversely effect a finishes appearance or its ability to adhere to a surface-(ex: dust, wax, grease, silicone, tree sap) CURING-the complete drying of a paint where it reaches its full hardness through a chemical change DA-a dual action or random orbital air sander DOLLY-a solid slug of metal of various shapes used to receive the shock of the hammer blows to shape sheet metal-they can be heel, railroad, comma, toe, wedge etc. DOZER-a simple frame with a hydraulic ram attached that is used with clamps and chains for light sheet metal pulls to straighten minor collision damage ENAMEL-a type of paint that dries by evaporation of solvents and also cures by chemical reaction FAN- the pattern of atomized paint that is dispersed through a spray gun-also called spray pattern FEATHEREDGE-a smooth tapered paint edge from substrate to top coat that is achieved by sanding FISH EYES-small craters that form in a paint film, caused by paint being rejected at the surface-caused by the presence of contaminants FILLER-AKA plastic, mud or "Bondo" (a brand name),-it is a catalyzed polyester based, heavy bodied material used to fill low areas on a panel FLASH-the initial stage of drying where some of the solvents evaporate and material ceases to flow FLOW-the tendency of atomized paint to merge and melt together to form a smooth film when it strikes a surface FORCE DRY-to accelerate the drying process of paint by introducing heat and /or air flow FRAME-more common on trucks and older cars, it's the structural member that the body, engine suspension and most major components are bolted to-can also refer to the inner structure of a body part such as a door GAP-the space between adjoining panels GLOSS- the ability of a painted surface to reflect light GRIT-it refers to the size of the abrasive particles on sandpaper or grinding discs GUIDE COAT-a finely misted coat of paint, usually flat gloss, that is applied to a surface and allowed to dry, acting as a guide for sanding operations-used to show low spots, sand scratches and areas that still need sanding HAMMER-used to move metal-they can be pick, finishing, bumping, chisel, shrinking, dome head, cross peen, slap, dead blow etc. HIDING- the ability of a material to obscure the surface that it is applied to HINGE PILLAR-the part of a body that the door hinges are attached to HSLA-high strength low alloy steel, its what modern body panels are formed from HVLP-high volume low pressure LAP WELD- a joint where metal panels are overlapped slightly and then the seam is welded together MASKING-covering areas not to be painted with tape, papers, plastic or spray on masking agent METAL ETCH-an acid based metal cleaner used to promote adhesion of primers and primer surfacer METALLIC-a type of paint finish that contains small colored reflective flakes as well as pigments MOTTLING-a paint problem in metallics caused by metal flakes floating together to form spotty or striped effects O.E.M.-original equipment manufacturer, used to indicate factory applied finishes as well as factory original parts OIL CAN-a condition where a metal panel has lost its structural integrity and tends to move in and out when a slight force is applied, much like the bottom of an oil can ORANGE PEEL-a slightly rough texture on a paint finish caused by paint not flowing out or paint being applied too dry or with the incorrect solvent-most paint jobs have some degree of orange peel when first applied OVERSPRAY-an area of dried, sprayed paint where it is not wanted OXIDATION-when a paint fades and grows dull-caused by exposure to U.V. light (sunlight) PIGMENT-a solid that won't dissolve in liquid-it's what gives paint its color PINCH WELD-a spot welded seam where two sheets of metal come together flat to form a flange such as one found in a windshield opening-its what a windshield gasket wraps around or where a glued in windshield rests PRIMER-a base coat next to the metal or substrate that improves adhesion of the top coat PRIMER-SURFACER-a primer with a high solids content that will fill small imperfections REDUCER-the solvent used to thin or reduce enamel paints SANDING BLOCK-a block ranging from rigid to soft and flexible used to back sandpaper to level a surface and to impart an even tooth to promote paint adhesion SCUFF PAD-a non-woven plastic cloth, similar to a scouring pad, used to impart tooth on a material with minimal removal of material SEALER-a coat of material sprayed between primer and top coat to promote adhesion and prevent bleeding and sandscratch swelling SECTION-to replace a body panel or a part of a body panel by cutting and welding SHRINK-the forced compression of metal platelets used to remove high spots and strengthen a panel by use of serrated hammers, dollies, special slap hammers or controlled application of heat SILICONE-an ingredient in waxes and rubber protectants-the painters enemy-the primary cause of fish eyes SKIN-the exterior part of a body panel-usually a door panel SOLIDS-the percentage of solid material in a paint after solvents have evaporated SOLVENT-a liquid that dissolves another liquid or solid (ex: thinner, reducer, water) SOLVENT POPPING-tiny bubbles that form in a paint film due to improper evaporation of solvents-AKA trapped solvents SPOON-a steel tool of varying shapes used to push, pry, slap or otherwise move sheet metal SPOT WELD- fusing metal together in a small spot by applying pressure and heat-a weld made using a resistance type welder as from the factory, or a weld often done with a MIG welder (also called a plug weld) STRIKER-the post or pin that a door latch catches on to secure it closed STRIKER PILLAR-the part of a body that the striker is bolted to SUBSTRATE-the surface of a material to be painted-anything under a top coat TACK RAG- an piece of cheese cloth treated with a tacky substance, used to pick up dust and dirt particles prior to top coating TIE COAT-a sprayed application of a material that creates a chemical "tooth" that allows a paint or primer to bond to a substrate TOP COAT- the final coat of paint, clear or color, applied to a surface TOOTH- roughness of a substrate, usually achieved with sandpaper or a liquid abrasive, (compound), that allows a paint or primer to hang on to it and not peel off-can also be achieved through chemical application (called a tie coat) UNIBODY-unitized body construction, lacking a separate frame-most newer cars are made this way or are a combination of unibody and subframe U.V.-ultra violet radiation (light)- the enemy of painted surfaces, it is what causes paint finishes to fade, crack and peel VIXEN FILE-an adjustable flat file that is used to cut down high spots when doing hammer and dolly work WET SAND-using water, sponge and waterproof sandpaper to sand a material, the water acts as a lubricant and cleaner-it carries away sanding particulate, preventing clogging of sandpaper and making it possible to see where a panel has been sanded |
