Premium products for lasting results

• Superior quality
  1^st Klass is a brand recognized for the high quality of its products, providing professional and durable results.

• Wide range of products
  The brand offers a broad variety of products, from lacquers and paints to masking products, essential for the automotive refinishing process.

• Innovation and technology
  Constant investment is made in the development of the 1^st Klass brand to bring innovative and efficient products to the market, enhancing the automotive refinishing process.

• Ease of use
  Products are designed to be easy to use, both for professionals and beginners, ensuring a perfect finish every time.

• Technical support and consultancy
  Technical support and consultancy are provided for users, helping them choose the right products and use them correctly.

• Durability
  1^st Klass products are developed to offer long-lasting protection against external factors, ensuring an impeccable appearance for refinished vehicles.

These arguments make 1^st Klass a solid choice for those seeking high-quality results in the automotive refinishing process.

• The substrate was not properly finished

  Skipping steps during sanding or not using the correct grit size. It is recommended to successively use abrasives with grits of P80, P100, P150, P240, and for finer finishing, the sanding process can end with a P320 grit.

• Applying the filler in a too thick layer or in too many layers without allowing proper airing time

  If the airing time between layers is insufficient, the first layer does not dry adequately, it remains wet beneath the top layer, and over time, the varnish will contour and peel off.

• Applying the filler in a too thin layer

  The filler does not have the necessary thickness to cover the scratches, and in these cases, it contours (making maps) and scratches appear. When applying thin filler, it is recommended to use a P320 grit for finishing to avoid scratches.

• Using too little hardener
  This process will cause the last applied layer to be the first to dry, initially only on the surface. The substrate will also try to dry, but due to the dry film on top, the solvent will have no way to evaporate, leading to bubbles forming under the varnish, causing it to contour and peel off.

For a good result, consult the product’s pictograms or technical sheet before application!

Using a degreaser is mandatory! The degreaser is used before applying any product to the car, including putty, filler, and paint. By degreasing, we decontaminate the parts prepared for painting from oils, silicone, bitumen, etc., and eliminate the risks of reactions caused by contact with these substances, such as peeling, craters, or fish eyes. It is important to note that the correct application involves using two cloths: one soaked with degreaser and one dry. The part is degreased with the wet cloth and immediately followed by the dry one. This method eliminates risks such as:

• The appearance of streaks and shadows visible under the paint;
• The risk of the filler, especially 1K filler, softening, resulting “cutting” in the paint;
• The risk of the paint “cracking”, and the appearance of fish eyes and craters.

By following this degreasing process correctly, you ensure a clean surface that allows the applied products to adhere properly and perform as expected, resulting in a high-quality finish.

The appearance of streaks during the painting process can be caused by several factors, including the uneven application of metallic or pearlescent colors. This results in irregular orientation of metallic particles, causing irregular light reflections on the surface. Below are detailed causes and recommendations to avoid these issues.

Causes

1. Clogged nozzle orifices:
   • When nozzle orifices are clogged, air cannot escape properly, preventing the correct spraying of the paint.
2. Incorrect spray gun angle:
   • If the spray gun is not held at a right angle (ideally 90 degrees) to the part and is instead tilted towards 45 degrees, the applied paint will be uneven. The closer side will deposit more paint, causing dark streaks, while the further side will have less paint, resulting in a cloudy appearance.
3. Improper overlapping of layers:
   • Unevenness occurs if the paint layers do not overlap correctly.
4. Variable distance from the element:
   • Applying paint at different distances from the surface leads to an uneven paint layer.
5. Incorrect paint dilution:
   • If the paint is too thick, application becomes difficult and uneven.
6. Insufficient airing time between layers:
   • The solvent does not evaporate sufficiently if the airing time is too short.
7. Improper spray gun adjustment:
   • Excess material and incorrect pressure (too high or too low) lead to excessive or insufficient paint application.
8. Incorrect application of the uniformity/equalization layer:
   • Not following the correct procedure for the uniformity layer results in the formation of uneven streaks.

Recommendations to avoid streaks

• Regularly clean the nozzle orifices to ensure proper air and paint flow.
• Hold the spray gun at a consistent 90-degree angle to the surface.
• Ensure proper overlapping of paint layers to avoid gaps or uneven application.
• Maintain a consistent distance from the surface while spraying.
• Dilute the paint correctly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Allow sufficient airing time between layers to let the solvent evaporate properly.
• Adjust the spray gun settings appropriately to avoid excessive or insufficient paint flow.
• Apply the uniformity layer correctly, following the recommended procedure to ensure even distribution.

By addressing these factors, you can minimize the risk of streaks and achieve a smooth, uniform finish.

• Incorrect paint dilution
  Some people add less thinner to the paint than recommended, thinking it will provide better coverage. Insufficient thinner leads to very slow drying of the paint. When the paint is applied too thickly, it remains wet in the substrate, and when the next coat is applied, the top layer dries while the solvent in the first layer remains trapped underneath. On the surface, the paint may appear dry and uniformly matte, but it remains wet in the substrate due to the trapped solvent. After applying and drying the clearcoat, the solvent in the substrate cannot evaporate, causing the clearcoat to peel. For optimal results, paint should be diluted according to the technical sheet.

• Application of “dust” paint
  Applying “dust” paint means spraying the paint so that it dries instantly with a sandy texture. When another layer of dusty paint is applied over the first, the adhesion between layers is very weak because air bubbles remain between the layers, and the layers do not fuse well. This reaction also occurs when two coats of equalizing paint are applied too dry to eliminate cloudiness.

• Applying too many layers of paint
  When too many coats of paint are applied, the clearcoat cannot fuse with the substrate. A single coat of paint is approximately 7-10 microns thick, meaning there should be around 20-25 microns of paint on the element in total. When the paint thickness exceeds 30 microns, the clearcoat’s hardener cannot fuse with the substrate because it is too thick, leading to peeling.

• Using the wrong type of thinner for environmental conditions
  The type of thinner used in the paint must be adapted to the existing conditions at the time of application: temperature, humidity, and ventilation. If it is cold outside (below 10°C) and humidity is high, a fast thinner should be used to prevent the paint from absorbing moisture and running. Between 10-27°C, a standard thinner is used, while for temperatures above 27°C, a slow thinner is recommended for slower drying of the paint. This prevents the paint from drying immediately on the car, which can cause cloudiness, shadows, and peeling.

By addressing these factors, you can prevent the clearcoat from peeling and ensure a smooth, durable finish.

a. When less hardener is added:

• Incomplete curing: The putty will not fully cure and will continue to work in the substrate.
• Difficult sanding: It will be harder to sand and will clog the sandpaper.
• Absorption issues: Over time, it will absorb the filler and will make “maps”, scratches, and cracks will appear after painting.
• Yellow stains: For light colors like white or silver, yellow stains can appear over time on the putty surface.

Remedy: It is recommended to apply an epoxy primer to completely seal the putty and eliminate all related issues.

b. When more hardener is added:

• Surface drying: The putty will dry on the surface but remain uncured in the substrate.
• Quick drying: The putty will dry much faster, reducing the working time.
• Color change: The putty will take on a more reddish color.
• Red stains: For light colors like white or silver, red stains can appear over time on the putty surface.
• Condensation risk: If applied in thick layers (which will get very hot) and the piece is cold, condensation can form, promoting detachment due to moisture.

Remedy: It is recommended to apply an epoxy primer to completely seal the putty and eliminate all related issues.

Important to remember:

• Mix the hardener properly: Before opening the hardener, it should be mixed by pressing from the bottom to the top and vice versa for about a minute to ensure homogeneity.
• Seal the hardener tube: After each use, it is mandatory to close the hardener tube as quickly as possible. Leaving it open, even for a short time, will affect the chemical processes in future uses. The raw material from which it is made absorbs moisture from the air, which will decrease the hardener’s properties, leading to incomplete drying of the putty and, subsequently, the formation of “maps” after other layers are applied.

Thick application of the first coat

• Issue: If the first layer of clearcoat is applied too thickly and is not given sufficient time to air before applying the next coat, the solvent in the first coat doesn’t have time to evaporate properly. Some types of clearcoats require the first layer to be applied thinly and allowed to dry completely before applying a fuller second coat.

Adding thinner

• Issue: Some clearcoats recommend using a thinner. If the thinner is not added, the clearcoat will not spread and dry properly.

Choosing the correct type of hardener

• Issue: The hardener must be appropriate for the temperature of the working environment. For example, at temperatures of 27-30°C, using a standard hardener can lead to too rapid drying of the clearcoat, whereas a slow hardener is actually needed.

Insufficient ventilation

• Issue: If clearcoated parts are left overnight in a booth with the door closed, solvent vapors in the air can settle on the clearcoat surface, preventing it from drying properly and causing the formation of blisters.

Recommendation: To minimize these issues, carefully read the product’s technical data sheet before application. It will contain precise instructions on the application method, dilution proportions, correct type of hardener, and optimal working conditions.

Solvent vapors in the spray booth

• Issue: If the freshly painted car remains in the booth with the door closed, solvent vapors in the air can settle on the painted surface. These solvent vapors can interact with the freshly applied clearcoat, causing a chemical reaction that results in a hazy or matte appearance on the painted surface.

Sudden temperature changes

• Issue: If the painted car is moved outside to a temperature lower than that in the booth, the sudden temperature change can cause moisture to condense on the surface of the clearcoat, leading to a matte or hazy appearance.

Too thick paint layer and insufficient drying time

• Issue: Applying a too thick layer of paint and not allowing adequate drying time will trap the solvent in the substrate. As the solvent tries to escape, it causes the clearcoat to turn matte. Un-evaporated solvent can migrate into the clearcoat layer, causing optical defects.

Excessive temperature in the booth

• Issue: If the temperature in the booth is excessively high during the clearcoat application, the top layer of the clearcoat will dry too quickly, forming a crust while the underlying layers remain uncured. This situation traps the solvent under the crust, leading to a hazy and matte appearance on the top layer as the solvent tries to escape.

Conclusion To prevent the occurrence of haze or matte clearcoat, it is crucial to carefully control the application conditions, including booth temperature and humidity, the thickness of the paint layer, and the drying time. Proper ventilation and allowing adequate drying time between coats are essential to achieve a clear and glossy finish.