Pro Paint and Body - 2nd Edition: Professional Techniques, Tips and Tricks

Everyone has seen a car at some time or other going down the road with its back end hanging out to one side or the other, even though the car's front end is proceeding in a straight line.

This phenomenon is called dog-tracking. It usually happens because a collision has bent the frame or body the car, or because the front suspension or rear axle has been knocked cockeyed.

The repercussions of the problem go well beyond just looking funny as you drive along through.

Cars that are out of alignment are dangerous to drive and can be almost uncontrollable if the misalignment is serious. Their tires wear out quickly too. Fixing the problem can be as simple as realigning the back axle on a car with a full frame, to pulling the whole car back into shape in the case of a unit-bodied car that has absorbed a bad hit.

Realigning a seriously damaged car is a task best left to the pros who have been trained on a frame rack. Heat and tremendous force is sometimes necessary, and that can lead to a dangerous situation.

That being said, here is how to check out a car to determine what needs to be done. In some cases, after careful analysis you may discover that the task is more trouble than the car is worth.

But if it is a high-dollar classic you will probably want to do whatever it takes to bring it back.


CHECK IT OUT

Most cars have reference points such as holes or dimples in their frames and bodies from which you can measure to determine their overall alignment. You can do a quick, rough check of a car's alignment using a measuring tape to check diagonally from fixed points across a car's frame or subframe.

If, after a few rough calculations you suspect misalignment, you'll need to check things out further, and how you do that depends on whether your car has a full frame or is unit-bodied.

A lot of progress has been made in paint technology in the last few years, though automotive paints can still be divided into two basic categories. There is lacquer, which dries by evaporation, and there is enamel, which dries chemically.

Based on those definitions, almost all automotive paints used today are enamels. However, Today's urethanes - though technically similarity to the old synthetic enamels of the past.

Urethanes are made with acrylic resins and various polymers and are actually a very resilient, tough form of plastic. They are far superior to the finishes of a few years ago, and they are designed to meet the strict environmental laws in many states.

To do that, they have been developed to be very high in solids such as pigments and binders, and as low as possible in solvents that pollute the atmosphere.

But paint companies are understandably reluctant to talk about what exactly is in their paints because that might give away trade secrets. On the other hand, it is much easier for the average individual to achieve good results with modern primers and paints, provided the instructions of the manufacturer are followed exactly.

Let's see if we can untangle some of the complexities of today's finishes.

• Safety First!
• Evaluating a Project Car
• Frame Alignment
• Paint Stripping
• Degreasing, Derusting & Prepping
• Pro Hammer-and-Dolly Techniques
• Limited Access & Paintless Dent Removal
• Metal Shrinking
• Basic Bodywork Welding
• Patching Panels
• Door Skinning
• Adhesive Panel Repair
• Metal Fabricating Tools
• Working with Plastic Filler
• Working with Lead
• Fiberglass Repair
• Spray Guns, Compressors & Spray Booths
• Paint Tech
• Waterborne Paint Tech
• Block Sanding
• Masking & Final Prep
• Shooting Paint
• Blending Two-Stage Urethanes
• Color Sanding for a Show-Winning Finish
• Plastic Bumper Repair
• Fixing Paint Cracks
• Body Panel Assembly Tips
• Kustom Paint Tips & Tricks
• Powder-Coating at Home
• Color Matching
• Rust Protection
• Detailing & Maintenance Tips
• The Future of Paint