• 55 questions

ASE B2 Practice Test

Unofficial painting and refinishing practice in the six content areas of ASE's B2 test specifications, every answer with its source.

Why is newspaper a poor masking material?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 55 questions, 90 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Bank checked October 8, 2026.

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All 55 questions

Surface preparation 15

  • A cured gloss finish is scuff-sanded before another color is sprayed over part of it. What is the scuffing for? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Masking and Applying the Trim. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • A panel has been stripped to a seam line. How is the edge of the old paint treated where it meets the stripped area? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Surface Preparation for Touchup. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • A primed panel has sat past the recoat time window on the data sheet. What may be needed before the topcoat goes on? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Preparation, Surfaces. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • A repair area is ready for sanding. What is done to the surface first? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Surface Preparation for Touchup. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
Show all 55 questions (51 more)

Surface preparation, continued

  • A spot repair will need the color blended into the panel. How large an area does the handbook say to prepare? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Surface Preparation for Touchup. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • Clean water is poured over a panel to check it before paint. What shows that the panel is clean? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Fisheyes (water break test). ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • How is fine-line edge tape pulled so that it leaves a clean paint line? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Masking and Applying the Trim. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • What does a rust converter do to the rust it is applied over? Wikipedia, Rust converter, opening section. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • What is a phosphate conversion coating on steel for? Wikipedia, Phosphate conversion coating, opening section. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • What is a tack cloth used for? Wikipedia, Tack cloth, opening section. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • Which primer does the handbook describe as softer than urethane, with good chip resistance, and usable as a non-sanding primer/sealer over bare metal? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Primers, Epoxy. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • Which primer is a water-thin phosphoric acid coating with almost no filling quality, used to passivate bare metal? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Primers, Wash Primers. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • Which tool measures the thickness of the dry paint film already on a panel? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Miscellaneous Painting Tools and Equipment. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • Why does plastic media blasting do little harm to the panel under the paint? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Plastic Media Blasting (PMB). ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)
  • Why is newspaper a poor masking material? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Masking and Applying the Trim. ASE B2 content area A, Surface Preparation (15 of 55 questions)

Spray gun and equipment 6

  • A test pattern is heavy at the top. The air cap is turned half a turn and the pattern is now heavy at the bottom. What is at fault? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Spray Gun Problems. ASE B2 content area B, Spray Gun Operation and Related Equipment (6 of 55)
  • Force drying with fans or heat that is too quick is listed as a cause of which defect? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Orange Peel. ASE B2 content area B, Spray Gun Operation and Related Equipment (6 of 55)
  • In EPA's auto body rule, what does transfer efficiency measure? 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH, section 63.11180, definition of transfer efficiency. ASE B2 content area B, Spray Gun Operation and Related Equipment (6 of 55)
  • Under EPA's auto body rule, an HVLP spray gun atomizes at what pressure, measured at the air cap? 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH, section 63.11180, definition of HVLP spray equipment. ASE B2 content area B, Spray Gun Operation and Related Equipment (6 of 55)
  • Which fault makes the fan pulsate and spit? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Spray Gun Problems. ASE B2 content area B, Spray Gun Operation and Related Equipment (6 of 55)
  • Which way of cleaning a spray gun does EPA's auto body rule not allow? 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH, section 63.11173(e)(4). ASE B2 content area B, Spray Gun Operation and Related Equipment (6 of 55)

Mixing, matching and applying 15

  • A blended panel matches the next panel under the booth lights but not in daylight. What is this called? Wikipedia, Metamerism (color), section Metameric failure. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • A two-part paint is being mixed. Which component goes into which? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Primer and Paint. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • A viscosity cup is lifted out of the paint and the stopwatch is started. When is the watch stopped? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Viscosity Measuring Cup. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • Besides gloss, what must a clearcoat do as the outermost layer of the finish? Wikipedia, Automotive paint, section Clearcoat. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • How does the handbook say to hold a conventional spray gun to the panel? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Applying the Finish. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • In a metallic color match, what is flop? Wikipedia, Metallic paint, section Description. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • In the handbook's blend, where is each new coat laid relative to the coat before it? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Surface Preparation for Touchup. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • On a vertical panel, what is the light tack coat for? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Applying the Finish. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • What are the three layers of a three-stage pearl finish? Wikipedia, Automotive paint, section Base coat. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • What is induction time? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Primer and Paint. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • What should happen between the first and second color coats? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Surface Preparation for Touchup. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • When is mixed paint strained? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Primer and Paint. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • Where is the center of the fan aimed to overlap each pass by 50 percent? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Applying the Finish. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • Why is a can of color mixed thoroughly before it is poured? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Primer and Paint. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)
  • Why must a clearcoat be formulated so that it does not re-dissolve a metallic basecoat? Wikipedia, Automotive paint, section Base coat. ASE B2 content area C, Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying (15 of 55)

Application problems 8

  • A fresh coat wrinkles, and the coat beneath it lifts as if paint stripper had been put on. Which cause does the handbook give? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Wrinkling. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)
  • The finish is rough and dry because the spray droplets dried before they reached the panel. Which fault fits? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Spray Dust. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)
  • Light and dark blotches show in a metallic basecoat that was not applied evenly. What is this defect called? Wikipedia, Automotive paint, section Base coat. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)
  • Many fisheyes appear in the first wet coat. What does the handbook say to do? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Fisheyes. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)
  • Small craters open in the wet coat and show the surface below. What is the usual cause? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Fisheyes. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)
  • Which figure on the data sheet tells when fresh paint can be taped over without the tape marking or lifting it? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Masking and Applying the Trim. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)
  • Which mixing fault produces orange peel? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Orange Peel. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)
  • Which way of handling the gun causes sags and runs? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Sags and Runs. ASE B2 content area D, Solving Paint Application Problems (8 of 55)

Finish defects and cures 6

  • A topcoat is peeling from the primer in sheets. What does the correction require? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Poor Adhesion. ASE B2 content area E, Finish Defects, Causes, and Cures (6 of 55)
  • An old finish has gone dull and wipes off as powder. What breaks the film down this way? Wikipedia, Paint, section Failure, Chalking. ASE B2 content area E, Finish Defects, Causes, and Cures (6 of 55)
  • Blisters in a finish are most commonly traced to what? Wikipedia, Paint, section Failure, Peeling/Blistering. ASE B2 content area E, Finish Defects, Causes, and Cures (6 of 55)
  • Cracking of a paint film usually traces to which mistake? Wikipedia, Paint, section Failure, Cracking. ASE B2 content area E, Finish Defects, Causes, and Cures (6 of 55)
  • Sanding scratches show through a finish coat that has set up. What is the fix? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Sanding Scratches. ASE B2 content area E, Finish Defects, Causes, and Cures (6 of 55)
  • Tiny holes appear in the surface where trapped solvent escaped. Which spraying practice causes them? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Common Paint Troubles, Pinholes. ASE B2 content area E, Finish Defects, Causes, and Cures (6 of 55)

Safety precautions 5

  • After the first fit test, how often must a tight-fitting respirator be fit tested? 29 CFR 1910.134, paragraph (f)(2). ASE B2 content area F, Safety Precautions (5 of 55)
  • How much flammable paint and solvent may be kept in the vicinity of the spraying operation? 29 CFR 1910.107, paragraph (e)(2). ASE B2 content area F, Safety Precautions (5 of 55)
  • Under EPA's auto body rule, how long is a painter's training certification valid? 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH, section 63.11173(g)(3). ASE B2 content area F, Safety Precautions (5 of 55)
  • Where do rags soaked with finishing material go? 29 CFR 1910.107, paragraph (g)(3). ASE B2 content area F, Safety Precautions (5 of 55)
  • Which breathing protection does the handbook call for when a coating that contains isocyanates is sprayed? FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B), chapter 8, Protective Equipment for Personnel. ASE B2 content area F, Safety Precautions (5 of 55)

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the test specifications for Painting and Refinishing (Test B2) in the ASE Collision Study Guide (https://ase.com/wp-content/uploads/ASE_Collision_Study_Guide.pdf, marked (c) ASE 2026, read 2026-10-08): A surface preparation 15 questions, B spray gun operation and related equipment 6, C paint mixing, matching, and applying 15, D solving paint application problems 8, E finish defects, causes, and cures 6, F safety precautions 5; total 55. The bank holds the same 15, 6, 15, 8, 6 and 5. Each fact was read on 2026-10-08 in the public source named under its question: chapter 8 (painting and finishing) of the FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook, Airframe (FAA-H-8083-31B, a large PDF listed on the FAA handbooks page https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation), whose spray equipment, technique and paint troubles are those of any refinish shop; EPA's rule for auto body surface coating (40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH); OSHA's rules 29 CFR 1910.107 and 1910.134; and, for twelve questions, Wikipedia. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free ASE B2 practice test has 55 painting and refinishing questions of our own, weighted like the real test. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Read the full guide

What the B2 test covers

ASE's study guide splits the 55 scored questions: surface preparation 15, spray gun operation and related equipment 6, paint mixing, matching and applying 15, solving paint application problems 8, finish defects, causes and cures 6, and safety precautions 5. This bank holds the same counts.

Length and timing

Exam mode gives the real test's 90 minutes to the 55 scored questions. The real sitting fits ten more into that time.

Where the answers come from

Spray technique and paint troubles rest on the FAA's painting and finishing handbook chapter, which describes the same guns and defects. Shop rules rest on EPA's auto body rule and OSHA's standards.

  • Surface preparation and mixing, matching and applying are 30 of the 55 questions. Start with those two topics.
  • For each defect learn three things: what it looks like, what causes it, and whether it buffs out or must be sanded and resprayed.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the ASE B2 test?

ASE lists 65: 55 are scored and 10 are being tried out for future tests and do not count. They are not marked, so answer all of them. Recertifying technicians sit a shorter test, 28 questions in 45 minutes.

What is on the ASE B2 painting and refinishing test?

Shop tasks. ASE's task list runs from removing corrosion, featheredging and masking, through gun set-up, a color check on a test panel and blending, to the cause and cure of fisheyes, mottling, die-back and solvent popping. Safety tasks rest on federal EPA and OSHA requirements.

Are these real ASE B2 test questions?

No. Every question is our own, written from ASE's task list and from public sources. None is taken from the real test or from the sample questions in ASE's study guide, so a score here is practice only.

Does ASE B2 count toward Master Collision Repair and Refinish Technician?

Yes. ASE's Collision study guide marks four tests as required for recognition as an ASE Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician: B2, B3 (non-structural), B4 (structural) and B5 (mechanical and electrical). B6, damage analysis and estimating, is not marked.

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