ASE B2 Painting & Refinishing

Before any sanding begins on a contaminated panel, what is the correct first step in surface preparation?

• AWash and then use a wax and grease remover
• BApply self-etching primer directly
• CScuff the clearcoat with 400-grit paper
• DMask the adjacent panels

Which sanding grit range is generally appropriate for featheredging chipped paint edges before priming?

• A80-grit only
• B180 to 320 grit
• C600 to 800 grit
• D1500 to 2000 grit

A self-etching primer on bare steel mainly serves to do what?

• AAdd film build for blocking
• BAct as a guide coat
• CChemically promote adhesion and provide corrosion resistance on bare metal
• DProvide the final color coat

Technician A says primer-surfacer is mainly used to fill minor sand scratches and small imperfections and is then block sanded. Technician B says primer-surfacer needs no sanding before basecoat. Who is correct?

• ATechnician A only
• BTechnician B only
• CBoth A and B
• DNeither A nor B

When preparing bare aluminum for refinishing, why is a dedicated metal conditioner or etch step important?

• AAluminum requires only water rinsing
• BAluminum cannot be primed
• CAluminum needs no special treatment
• DAluminum forms an oxide layer quickly that hurts adhesion if not treated

What is the main reason to apply a guide coat before block sanding primer?

• ATo highlight low and high spots so sanding is even
• BTo add color to the panel
• CTo increase film thickness
• DTo speed up flash time

Which grit is typically recommended for final sanding of primer-surfacer before applying a basecoat?

• A2000 grit
• B400 to 600 grit
• C180 grit
• D80 grit

Why should bare metal not be left exposed overnight before priming?

• AIt will become too smooth
• BIt improves adhesion
• CFlash rust and oxidation can form, causing adhesion and corrosion problems
• DPaint will not match

What is the correct technique when using a solvent-based wax and grease remover?

• ASpray on and let it dry completely on its own
• BApply only after primer
• CSand it into the surface
• DApply with one rag and wipe dry with a clean second rag before it evaporates

When scuff sanding an existing factory clearcoat for an adhesion (panel) repair, what is the goal?

• ACreate a uniform fine scratch profile for topcoat adhesion without sanding through
• BPolish the surface to a high gloss
• CRemove all the clearcoat to bare metal
• DLeave the surface untouched

Why is an adhesion promoter often used on bare automotive plastics such as TPO bumpers?

• AIt adds color to the plastic
• BMany plastics are low surface energy and need a promoter for paint to bond
• CIt hardens the plastic permanently
• DIt removes the need to clean the part

Technician A says automotive masking paper resists solvent strike-through better than newspaper. Technician B says any tape works equally well at booth bake temperatures. Who is correct?

• ATechnician A only
• BTechnician B only
• CBoth A and B
• DNeither A nor B

What is back-masking (reverse masking) used for on a blend panel?

• ATo create a hard paint edge
• BTo protect the entire vehicle
• CTo create a soft, feathered overspray edge that is easier to buff
• DTo speed flash time

Galvanized (zinc-coated) steel requires special attention because:

• AIt needs no primer at all
• BIt is always painted with single-stage only
• CIt cannot be welded
• DImproper prep or sanding through the zinc reduces corrosion protection and adhesion

What is the purpose of a final tack rag wipe just before applying the topcoat?

• ATo remove fine dust and lint left after the last cleaning step
• BTo sand the surface
• CTo add gloss to the surface
• DTo increase film build

Why is factory e-coat (electrocoat) generally only scuffed rather than removed during a panel repair?

• AIt is a decorative coat
• BIt is an excellent corrosion-resistant primer that should be preserved when sound
• CIt is the color coat
• DIt cannot be sanded at all

What is the risk of using too coarse a sanding grit (such as 80) directly under a primer-surfacer that will be topcoated?

• ANo risk at all
• BThe surface becomes too smooth
• CDeep scratches may swell and telegraph through the finish later
• DThe paint will dry too fast

When wet sanding a panel, why is it important to keep the surface and paper flushed with water?

• ATo make the panel shinier instantly
• BTo raise the temperature of the panel
• CTo skip the cleaning step
• DTo prevent clogging, reduce scratching, and produce a finer uniform scratch

A sealer is applied over sanded primer mainly to:

• AProvide a uniform foundation, improve adhesion, and control topcoat holdout
• BAdd structural strength
• CReplace block sanding
• DServe as the final clearcoat

Technician A says body filler sand scratches should be filled with primer-surfacer and blocked. Technician B says it is acceptable to topcoat over coarse 80-grit filler scratches without refinement. Who is correct?

• ATechnician A only
• BTechnician B only
• CBoth A and B
• DNeither A nor B

Why should compressed air used to blow off a panel before painting be filtered and dry?

• ATo make the air warmer
• BTo prevent oil and moisture from contaminating the surface and causing defects
• CTo increase paint VOC
• DTo remove the need for a tack rag

Epoxy primer is frequently chosen over self-etching primer for bare steel when:

• AA fast one-coat repair with no corrosion concern is needed
• BOnly a guide coat is required
• CMaximum corrosion resistance and a non-porous foundation are desired
• DThe panel is already topcoated

What is the purpose of feather-edging the paint around a repair area?

• ATo create a sharp paint step
• BTo add a tack coat
• CTo remove all primer
• DTo taper the layers of paint so the repair blends without a visible edge

When prepping a flexible plastic bumper cover for a flexible finish system, what is commonly required?

• AA flex additive in primer and topcoat per manufacturer instructions to prevent cracking
• BRemoving all plastic and replacing with metal
• CNo special additive ever
• DUsing only single-stage with no preparation

Why should a panel be cleaned with wax and grease remover again after sanding and before priming?

• ASanding always cleans the panel completely
• BSanding can spread residual contaminants and dust that must be removed before priming
• CPrimer dissolves all contaminants
• DIt is never necessary

What problem can occur if primer-surfacer is applied too heavily in thick coats without proper flash time?

• AFaster, stronger curing
• BNo effect at all
• CSolvent entrapment leading to shrinkage, dieback, and scratch telegraphing
• DImproved color match

Which statement about scuffing with a gray abrasive pad and fine scuff paste on hard-to-sand contours is correct?

• AIt cannot create adhesion
• BIt replaces primer entirely
• CIt removes the need to clean
• DIt can create a fine, uniform scratch profile in areas a sanding block cannot reach

For an HVLP spray gun, the term HVLP stands for:

• AHigh Volume Low Pressure
• BHigh Velocity Low Paint
• CHeavy Viscosity Light Paint
• DHigh Vacuum Low Particle

A key advantage of HVLP and RP (reduced pressure) spray guns over old high-pressure conventional guns is:

• AThey use no air at all
• BHigher transfer efficiency with less overspray and material waste
• CThey cannot be adjusted
• DThey eliminate the need for reducer

Increasing the fan (spreader) control on a spray gun generally does what?

• AIncreases fluid only
• BNarrows the pattern to a round dot
• CWidens the spray pattern
• DLowers inlet air pressure

Technician A says the fluid control adjusts how much paint the trigger releases. Technician B says the air cap shapes and atomizes the spray pattern. Who is correct?

• ATechnician A only
• BTechnician B only
• CBoth A and B
• DNeither A nor B

Holding the spray gun too far from the panel typically causes:

• AA wet, glossy film
• BBetter hiding with less coats
• CNo change in finish
• DDry spray, low gloss, and rough texture from premature solvent loss

What is the recommended general overlap when making spray passes for even coverage?

• AAbout 50 percent overlap of each pass
• BNo overlap
• C100 percent (paint each spot once only)
• DRandom overlap

A spray pattern that is heavy on one end (comma or crescent shaped) most likely indicates:

• ACorrect gun setup
• BA partially clogged air cap horn or fluid tip needing cleaning
• CToo much reducer
• DPerfect atomization

Why is proper air supply (clean, dry, regulated, adequate CFM) critical to spray gun operation?

• AIt only affects gun color
• BIt has no effect on the finish
• CInsufficient or contaminated air causes poor atomization, defects, and inconsistent resul…
• DIt only matters for cleanup

Why should the spray gun be cleaned promptly and thoroughly after spraying, especially the air cap and fluid passages?

• ATo change its color
• BCleaning is optional and rarely needed
• CTo increase its weight
• DTo prevent dried paint from clogging passages and distorting future spray patterns

Selecting a smaller fluid-tip/needle set on a spray gun is generally appropriate for:

• ALower-viscosity basecoat or finer atomization
• BBody filler
• CHigh-build primer-surfacer
• DSeam sealer

Triggering the spray gun before the start of the panel and releasing after the end of each pass helps to:

• AWaste more paint intentionally
• BProduce uniform film build by avoiding heavy starts and stops on the panel
• CDistort the pattern
• DLower transfer efficiency

Technician A says inlet air pressure should follow the paint and gun maker's spec and is best verified dynamically with the trigger pulled. Technician B says pressure does not affect atomization quality. Who is correct?

• ATechnician A only
• BTechnician B only
• CBoth A and B
• DNeither A nor B

A test spray pattern split heavily into two side concentrations with a weak center usually indicates:

• ACorrect atomization
• BPerfect fluid setting
• CToo much air relative to fluid (over-atomized) or an air-cap issue
• DToo little air

When mixing a two-component (2K) urethane, why must the manufacturer's mix ratio be followed exactly?

• ARatios are only a suggestion
• BReducer is never needed
• CMore hardener always makes it dry harder
• DCorrect ratio ensures proper crosslinking, durability, and cure; wrong ratio causes soft…

What is the main purpose of preparing a spray-out (let-down) panel before refinishing a vehicle?

• ATo verify the color match and application technique against the vehicle before painting it
• BTo clean the spray gun
• CTo mix the clearcoat
• DTo test the booth temperature

Metamerism in color matching refers to:

• ATwo colors that always match in every light
• BTwo colors that appear to match under one light source but differ under another
• CA type of clearcoat defect
• DA masking technique

Why are alternate color formulas (variants) provided by paint manufacturers for a single OEM color code?

• ATo confuse technicians
• BBecause each code has only one possible color
• CBecause factory color can vary by plant, line, and time, so the closest variant must be s…
• DTo increase paint cost

In a basecoat/clearcoat system, the basecoat primarily provides:

• AGloss and UV/chemical protection
• BStructural rigidity
• CCorrosion protection of bare metal
• DColor and effect (metallic/pearl orientation)

A tri-coat (three-stage) finish typically consists of:

• AGround/base color coat, a translucent mid-coat, then clearcoat
• BTwo clearcoats and a primer
• CPrimer, basecoat, sealer
• DSingle-stage applied three times

Technician A says blending (melting in) basecoat into adjacent panels helps disguise slight color differences. Technician B says you must always paint a metallic color edge-to-edge with no blend. Who is correct?

• ATechnician A only
• BTechnician B only
• CBoth A and B
• DNeither A nor B