How to Paint a Car

Do you believe that things turn out right only if you do it yourself? If yes, here is the solution for your problem — Paint your car yourself. The entire activity can take about five to six hours. The activity requires a lot of precision; therefore it should either be done by adults or under adult supervision. Just follow these steps and learn how to paint a car:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Primer
• Wire
• Urethane-based paint
• Wax/grease remover.
• Clear coat paint
• Body putty

1. Wash your car with soap and water before you start painting. This will remove all the dirt on the car’s body. Remember that washing the car well in important to ensure proper finish of paint.

2. Use a wax/grease remover to clean the dirt that is not soluble in water. You can even use liquid charcoal starter or mineral spirits for this purpose.

3. Rub the rough areas on the car with sandpaper.

4. Discharge all the static charge from the body of your car to ensure that it doesn't attract any dust. You can do so by joining the chassis frame under your car with any grounded object using a wire.

5. Ensure that the body of the car is totally dry before you begin painting.

6. Tape those parts of the car’s body that you don’t want to be painted using masking tape. This step really adds to the finish if done properly.

7. Use a good quality body putty to even-out any patches on the car’s body.

8. Apply the primer on the entire surface to be pained. Make sure that you apply it as evenly possible.

9. Scrub the primer carefully with sandpaper till you even-out the entire surface.

10. Select a urethane-based paint for color. Apply the base coat using a spray gun. Let the paint dry for ten to fifteen minutes.

11. Apply the final coat and let it dry for thirty to ninety minutes.

12. Apply three clear coats after the color has dried. Let each clear coat dry for fifteen minutes before you apply the next one.

Tips & Warnings

• It is advisable to paint in a closed area as it is relatively safe from insects and wind that might damage the paint finish. If you plan to paint in an open area, use a windscreen.
• Spray a coat of black paint on the car surface before sanding the primer. Sanding the car after applying black paint, will show depressions on the surface clearly. This will help you sand the level protruding areas better. You must sand the black enamel totally before applying the paint.
• Use good quality material for painting your car as it lasts longer and ensures better finish.
• Never sand the car before cleaning it with a wax/grease remover. Doing so may spread the wax/ grease to other areas.
• The place where you paint the car must be totally dry as urethane is moisture cure.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[omghow]

on 7/19/2009 Thanks for the suggestions.

[marksatterfield]

on 4/28/2009 Sanding between coats may result in a smoother finish, but if you do sand, be sure the paint is absolutely dry. In my opinion, sanding between coats is not necessary. For gun settings, see the instruction manual. HVLP will likely be somewhere between 10 and 30 PSI.Wipe down with mineral spirits between coats, and also before first coat. Wiping down will remove moisture and clean dust. --Mark http://wwww.marksatterfield.com

[marksatterfield]

on 4/28/2009 Sanding between coats may result in a smoother finish, but if you do sand, be sure the paint is absolutely dry. In my opinion, sanding between coats is not necessary.For gun settings, see the instruction manual. HVLP will likely be somewhere between 10 and 30 PSI.Wipe down with mineral spirits between coats, and also before first coat. Wiping down will remove moisture and clean dust.--Markhttp://wwww.marksatterfield.com

[hvyrdr]

on 4/23/2009 I always thought you had to sand in between coats ???Also, if I use a spray gun, HVLP, is there anything I should know about pressure ???