How To Read Measuring Cups For Mixing Car Paint

Paint measuring cups are used primarily for mixing car paint because paint is never applied as is. It is mixed with some activating solution, and often followed up by a paint thinner. Paint companies will provide you with the exact ratios for mixing car paint, this is why measuring cups and knowing how to read them are important.

Instructions:

1. Read on the can of paint how much solution to put into the can. It is typically in the form of a ration, like 8:1:3. You would read this ratio as eight parts paint, 1 part activator, and 3 parts thinner. Often you will see the ratio as 4:2 because thinner is not always required to mix paint.


2. Grab the measuring cup. Look on the inside and outside and you will see the corresponding mix number. Each ratio contains three adjacent columns, one for the paint, the activator solution, and the thinner. If your paint does not require a thinner then simply ignore the third line.


3. Put the measuring cup on a flat, leveled surface. Pour the paint into the cup until it reaches the first number in the ration.  As in the example, you will pour the paint until it reaches the number eight in the first column.


4. Pour the activating solution in until it reaches the number one on the second line.


5. Pour the thinner, if applicable, until it reaches the number three on the third column.


6. Mix the paint thoroughly with a paint stick, and apply the paint to the car.