How to DIY Paint Your Project Car

Painting your car is a great way to help protect it against the elements and prevent rust from wrecking it over time. Unless your insurer covers the cost due to an accident, paying for a professional paint job will cost a lot of money.

Fortunately, it is possible to do some DIY painting that could save you a lot of money. You would need to gather the right materials and make sure you can spray paint correctly to get a good result. 

Basic Needs for At-Home Auto Painting

You should have a garage that is clean. Dust, light debris, and bugs tend to collect in freshly sprayed car paint. The cleaner your garage, the less likely you will have a moth, floating dust, or other contaminants get into the paint.

You will need some 220-grit sandpaper to scuff the surface paint so that the new paint will have something to hold onto. If you do not sand the old clear coat and painted surfaces, the new paint will peel and flake off.

If your car needs bodywork to remove dents, rust, or other damage, you will need a grinder and some body filler to smooth out the surface. You might want to use some spot putty to fill in small stone chips, scratches, and other imperfections. Primer will help you prepare the surface and enable the new paint to stick.

An air compressor and spray equipment are a big help, but you might be able to use spray cans and apply it one body panel at a time. Spraying paint requires practice to prevent runs, drips, and excessive overspray.

You also will need some masking tape and paper to stop paint from getting onto bumpers, windows, and other places where you do not want the paint and overspray to land.

DIY Painting Takes Time and Effort

Patience is a big requirement for quality auto painting. You have to prepare the painted surfaces by removing any wax that might have been applied. You also will need to lightly sand the existing paint to remove the shine so that the new paint will adhere to the old paint.

You can carefully tape off the windows, door handles, and other areas where you do not want the paint to go. Rushing the job often results in errors that will show in the final paint job.

You need to cover any exposed metal with primer and sand the primer after it dries to remove any scratches. If you leave scratches in the primer or other surfaces, they will show in the new paint. The new paint will not fill in minor imperfections.

Ensure the body is prepared correctly to deliver the best results. Rushing the job and cutting corners often results in a poor paint job that will not last very long. Taking the time to do it right could produce truly professional-looking paint and a great-looking vehicle.

Categorised in: Auto Body Paint

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