2K paints for cars  

Among other types of car paint, 2K car paints are glossy and resistant topcoats. They dry and harden slowly and are made with a hardener.

We offer 2K car paints in different versions, with basic colors or according to a color chart or manufacturers' colors.

Composition : in the automotive field, these are solvent-based acrylic polyurethane paints. Acrylic resins provide weather resistance and durability. The solvents allow a very high level of gloss and a fast drying. The term « polyurethane » refers to a two-component hardening reaction.

We also manufacture an even stronger epoxy-polyester polyurethane blend under the name Hi-Gloss or Epoxy.

What is a 2K car paint ?

After drying, or rather « hardening », a thick, hard, very shiny and very resistant film is obtained.

What are the advantages of a 1K car paint ?

Resistance : this type of car paint is among the most resistant finishes* available. We are talking about resistance to the sun, to bad weather (frost, heat, water), but also resistance to scratching, rubbing and impacts. As for resistance to various products and fuels, only two-component paints offer excellent resistance.

The application of a 2K bi-component car paint

The normal mode of application is in 2 coats, with a waiting time of 5 to 10 minutes.

The respect of this delay allows the de-solvatation and avoids the risk of dripping.

The application of a 2K paint with a spray gun is a delicate exercise :

it is necessary to achieve a beautiful shiny surface like a mirror. To do this, you must apply the right amount of paint. Too little : lack of shine / Too much : drips.

Recommended application temperatures are between 15 and 25°C.

What happens when the temperature is below or above this range?

If the temperature is too warm, the product may dry too quickly, causing orange peel or loss of shine, or worse, micro-bubbling.

If the temperature is too low, the curing process is slowed down and there is a risk of dripping.

Defects

It is easy to see defects appearing, which are caused by a careless application. Here is a summary of the main defects with their possible causes :

Dripping : excess of 2K paint, hardener too slow, temperature too low

Micro-bubbles : trapped solvents due to high temperature, not respecting the intervals between coats or lack of dilution.

Orange peel : lack of product and/or lack of dilution.

The application of a 2K car paint

Of course, done with a spray gun, the application of a 2K car paint begins with the precise mixing with its hardener. The mixture must be used quickly because it hardens.

The 2K paint is applied in thick coats spaced 10 minutes apart, like a clearcoat.

2K car paint : 3 types offered

The 2K polyurethane paints are used for painting cars, rims or trucks. 3 versions of 2K car paints for cars are offered on our store :

• 2K Hi-Gloss paint : high hardness, gloss, quick drying

• 2K Besa Nato paint : high performance, adheres to all surfaces

• 2K Urki-VoC paint : high performance and low VOC content.

What is a finish?

A 2K paint is a finish because it is the final coat, i.e. the coat that is intended to be in contact with the exterior.

Bi-component :

The product needs hardener. The product does not dry in the air, nor with the temperature. Once the hardener, sometimes called catalyst, has been added, the painter must use the product within a limited time (pot life or life of the mixture) (usually 30 minutes).

Hardeners are usually added at 20-50% by volume or weight.

The third component is the thinner which allows to adjust the fluidity of the RFU* product.

*RFU : « Ready for use »

A distinction is made between the ready-to-use product (mixture of 2K paint + hardener + thinner) and the pure product.

The disadvantages and advantages of a 2K polyurethane paint ?

The product is more complex to be mixed and sprayed.

Metallic or pearlescent shades cannot be made as a two-component product (because of pigment movement during drying).

* The de-solvation : it is the phase after application during which there is degassing of the solvents which evaporate.

Touch dry or dust free : this is the theoretical time that indicates the drying of the surface film of the 2K paint.

Through-drying : this is the theoretical time that indicates the in-depth hardening of the 2K paint.

Optimal drying : this is the maximum core hardening of 90% which is reached after 48 hours to several days.

Sanding and polishing : this can be done after it has dried thoroughly.

Solids content and VOC : Paint contains a proportion of dry matter and a variable proportion of evaporable matter during drying. The solids content is the ratio of the amount of dry matter remaining after evaporation of the solvents. VOC are the volatile components.

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