How to Prep and Paint a Car

Having your car professionally painted can make an old paint job or body work look like new, but it will also make a dent in your wallet. Painting a car yourself is not difficult with the proper tools and techniques.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hose and water supply Car soap Sponge Microfiber towel Acrylic enamel paint Car primer paint 100 percent blending solvent Clear coat paint Plastic car paint covers Masking tape Steel wool Air paint gun Paint thinner Paint booth Goggles Gloves Respirator mask Hat or shower cap

1. Wash your car thoroughly with water and car soap. Rinse completely and dry well with a microfiber towel so it won't leave towel fuzzies behind.

2. Note your vehicle's make, model, color and year. Go to your local auto repair store and buy a container of acrylic enamel paint to match the exact color of your car, a can of 100 percent blending solvent, car primer paint and a can of car clear coat.

3. Park your vehicle in a sealed garage or paint booth.

4. Circularly scrub all the panels on your car that are to be painted with the steel wool pad. Wipe off any dust with a microfiber towel once you are done. This preps the panels to be absorbent and they will hold the paint better.

5. Cover completely the parts of your car that you don't want painted with plastic car paint covers. These parts include the headlights, tail lights, inner tire wall and tire, windows, side mirrors, antennae, license plate, radiator hole. Also pop your hood and place a piece of plastic over your engine just as a precaution. Tape all these plastic covers into place with masking tape and be very precise with tape edges because that is where the paint will show.

6. Adjust the air pressure on the air paint gun to around 15 to 20 psi.

7. Read the instructions on the primer paint can describing how to mix the primer with paint thinner to reach the proper consistency for a paint gun. Fill the paint holder on the air paint gun with the mix. Use quick back and forth movements to thinly coat the car with the primer. Wait 15 minutes and repeat until there is sufficient coverage on the car.

8. Clean your paint gun completely with paint thinner.

9. Read the instructions on the acrylic enamel auto paint can describing how to mix the paint with paint thinner to reach the proper consistency for a paint gun. Fill the paint holder on the air paint gun with the mix. Use quick back and forth movements to thinly coat the car with the primer. Wait 15 minutes and repeat until there is sufficient coverage on the car.

10. Open your paint gun can and make sure that it is only a quarter full of the paint and paint thinner mix (dump extra out or make more until it is a 1/4 full). Fill the the last 3/4 of the paint gun can with 100 percent blending solvent. Once your first paint coats are dry (approximately 15 minutes) use this blending solvent and paint mix to coat the panel one more time. Use quick back and forth sprays to coat the entire panel.

11. Clean your paint gun completely with paint thinner.

12. Read the instructions for the car clear coat paint and mixing instructions for use in an air paint gun. Pour the clear coat mix in your paint gun. Apply three thin coats to the plastic panel every 15 minutes.Clean your paint gun completely with paint thinner.

13. Allow the car to dry for several hours. Remove the plastic car paint covers.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear goggles, a respirator mask, long clothing, gloves and a hat or shower cap to protect yourself from paint overspray.