The automotive refinishing industry uses a wide variety of technical terms on a daily basis in the bodyshop. Understanding this terminology is essential for grasping painting processes, assessing repairs, and evaluating the quality of the final finish.
Below, we present a basic glossary of some of the most used concepts in automotive refinishing.
Colorimetry and Paint Effects
In automotive refinishing, controlling color and visual effects is essential to ensure invisible repairs and OEM-quality finishes.
This section covers concepts related to color perception, specialty pigments, and color matching.
Tintometric system
A set of color bases, toners, tintts, mixing formulas, and dispensing equipment that allows for the precise reproduction and adjustment of colors used in vehicle refinishing. These systems can be water-based or solvent-based and are designed to ensure maximum match with the manufacturer’s original color.
Three-Stage System
A color finish consisting of a first coat, typically solid; a second, mostly transparent coat containing an effect pigment, such as pearlescent; and a final clear coat.
Candy
A finish applied over a base—usually metallic—that adds texture, followed by a tinted clear coat or a highly transparent base coat and a final clear coat. Candy finishes create effects of depth and color intensity. Discover the differences between a candy color and a three-stage finish.
Flop
A variation in color depending on the viewing angle, particularly noticeable in metallic and pearlescent colors.
Xiralic or Xirallic
Effect pigment consisting of a flat sheet of aluminum oxide that emits flashes of light depending on the angle of incidence. Learn more about Xirallic pigments.
Metamerism
A phenomenon in which two colors appear identical only under specific lighting conditions and different under other lighting conditions. Learn more about metamerism.
Opacity
The ability of a paint to completely cover the substrate, preventing any show-through or irregularities in the finish.
OEM Color Code
A vehicle manufacturer’s reference that identifies the original color formulation for accurate reproduction during refinishing.
Single-Coat
A paint system in which the color and final finish are achieved with a single coat of product, without the need for a subsequent clear coat. It is primarily used for solid colors and provides color, gloss, and protection. Learn more about the difference between single-coat and two coat systems here.
Two Coat
A paint system consisting of a color base coat and a clear coat. The base coat provides the color and effects (metallic, pearlescent, etc.), while the clear coat provides gloss, protection, and chemical and mechanical resistance. Today, it is the most widely used system for car refinishing.
Auto Bodyshop and Refinishing Products
The products used in automotive refinishing processes play a fundamental role in the repair, protection, and finish of the auto bodyshop. Each material is designed to fulfill a specific function, whether it is preparing the surface, correcting imperfections, improving adhesion, protecting against corrosion, or providing the desired final finish. This section covers the main terms related to the products used in automotive refinishing, making it easier to understand their characteristics, applications, and role within the repair and painting process.
Putty
A filler material used in bodyshops to correct imperfections, dents, deep scratches, and unevenness on metal or plastic surfaces before applying primers and paint.
Primer
An intermediate coat that improves adhesion, corrects minor imperfections, and evens out the surface before painting.
Clear Coat
A clear coating applied as a final coat over the paint on auto body parts to provide protection, gloss, and durability.
Hardener
A chemical product mixed with certain coatings (paints, primers, undercoats, or clear coats) to initiate and accelerate the curing or hardening reaction, allowing the product to achieve its final properties.
Thinner or Reducer
A product used to adjust the viscosity of paints, clear coats, and primers, making them easier to apply and improving the final finish. It is also used to clean painting tools and equipment.
Stonechip Protector
A protective coating applied primarily to the underbody, wheel wells, and exposed areas of the auto body to protect the surface against gravel impacts, abrasion, moisture, and corrosion. Here are 5 tips for using it.
Polish
An abrasive product used to correct surface defects and improve the finish of the car’s paint or clear coat, restoring gloss and uniformity to the surface.
Application Processes and Surface Preparation
Proper surface preparation and product application are key to ensuring adhesion, durability, and the quality of the final finish when performing refinishing on vehicles. This section covers the most important concepts of the technical application process.
Blending
A color transition technique that allows the refinished area to blend seamlessly with the vehicle’s original paint.
Ready-to-use
A term used to indicate that a product can be applied directly, without the need for mixing, dilution, or prior preparation.
Phosphatizer
A chemical treatment applied to metal surfaces to improve adhesion and corrosion protection, typically used in primers and primers.
Number of Coats
The number of applications or coats of paint, primer, clear coat, or other coating required to achieve the specified thickness, coverage, or protection.
Mist Coat
A light coat applied to check color uniformity and coverage before the final finish.
Hygrometer
An instrument for measuring relative humidity (%). Especially important in water-based refinishing processes. It is usually accompanied by a thermometer to measure temperature.
2K or Two-Component
A paint product consisting of two components that must be mixed before application, generally a base and a hardener. This system offers greater resistance, durability, and finish quality in vehicle refinishing processes.
Flash Time
The evaporation time that must elapse between the application of one coat of paint, primer, or clear coat and the next. Observing the flash time allows solvents to evaporate properly, preventing defects such as solvent popping, loss of gloss, or poor adhesion. “Flash-off time” means that no evaporation time is required between coats, and the next coat can be applied immediately afterward.
Grit
A measure indicating the size of the particles in an abrasive, such as sandpaper. The lower the grit number, the more aggressive the sanding (e.g., P80); the higher the number, the finer and smoother the finish (e.g., P5000).
Viscosity
A physical property that expresses a liquid’s resistance to flowing or spreading. In auto bodyshops, it determines how easily a paint, clear coat, primer, etc., can be applied to a surface.
Paint Defects and Corrections
During the refinishing process, defects may appear that affect the final finish. Identifying them is key to avoiding rework and ensuring quality. This section covers the most common defects encountered in the bodyshop. We invite you to learn more about these defects in our course dedicated to defects and damage to bodywork.
Holograms
Circular marks visible after a poor polishing process.
Dullness
A cloudy or uneven appearance in the final finish, generally associated with application or drying issues.
Orange Peel
An uneven texture on the paint surface that resembles the peel of an orange.
Craters
Small defects in the form of holes or “pits” on the paint’s surface caused by contamination or application issues.
Sagging
A paint defect that occurs when an excessive amount of paint is applied and it flows due to gravity before drying, forming droplets or “drips” on the surface.
Repair and Bodyshop Management
In addition to technical processes, a bodyshop’s profitability depends largely on proper time management, damage assessment, and communication with insurance companies. This section covers the key concepts related to organizing and managing work in the bodyshop.
Damage Assessment
The process of conducting a technical and financial assessment of an accident or repair, which is common in the relationship between bodyshops and insurance companies.
Spot Repair
A repair limited to a specific area of the vehicle without the need for refinishing the entire component.
Paint Time Database
A system of standardized time rates used by insurance companies and bodyshops to calculate repair costs for vehicle refinishing. Learn more about this topic in this article.
Rework
Additional work required when a repair does not meet quality standards or has defects that require part of the process to be repeated.
DMS
Dealer Management System, bodyshop management software used to control and organize all bodyshop activities.
TDS
Acronym for Technical Data Sheet, referring to the product technical data sheet: a document prepared by the manufacturer containing information on the product’s technical specifications, as well as its use and handling. Be sure to read the full article on the Product Technical Data Sheet.
SDS
Safety Data Sheet (SDS). A mandatory document that provides information about a chemical product.
VOC
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature and are found in paints, clear coats, and solvents.
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
A set of garments and devices designed to protect workers from occupational hazards. It includes items such as gloves, respirators, safety goggles, protective coveralls, etc. Discover the 7 types of protection equipment you need in the bodyshop.
The Importance of Understanding Vehicle Refinishing Vocabulary
Mastering the key terms of automotive refinishing not only facilitates communication among professionals but also helps you better understand the processes, materials, and techniques involved in a high-quality repair. From colorimetry and paint systems to finish defects and bodyshop management, this glossary serves as a practical guide for automotive refinish professionals, students, and anyone interested in the automotive paint industry.
Staying up to date on these concepts is key to optimizing work processes, improving results, and adapting to new trends in the vehicle repair and refinishing market.
