How to Paint a Race Car
According to Stockcarracing.com "one of the biggest pitfalls when painting your car is a rush job." With this said, painting a race car can be completed by a do-it-yourselfer if he has the right tools and takes the time to do the job properly. Additionally, the best paint jobs are the ones that are planned out before the job begins. Giving extra thought to the final look of the car will help you create an end product that you will be proud to drive around the race track.
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Things You'll Need
- 220-grit sandpaper
- Clean cotton rags
- Lacquer thinner
- Painter's tape
- Newspaper
- Paint sprayer gun attachment
- Air compressor
- Primer
- 400-grit sandpaper
- Automotive paint
- Goggles
- Respirator mask
Instructions
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1
Sand any old or peeling paint, using a 220-grit sandpaper. Any rust should also be removed. Sand until the entire area is smooth.
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2
Wipe entire car with cotton rags saturated with lacquer thinner. This will remove all dust and grease from the car surface.
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3
Mask off all areas that will not be painted, using painter's tape and newspapers. If you are only painting the exterior, cover all window openings.
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4
Attach paint sprayer gun to an air compressor hose. Pour paint into automotive primer paint canister on the sprayer attachment. Turn on air compressor.
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5
Spray the entire exposed surface with the automotive primer. Apply light, even coats, moving the sprayer back and forth. If the primer appears as though it might drip, the paint application is too heavy.
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6
Dry painted area completely. This usually takes two hours, depending upon air temperature and humidity.
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7
Sand the race car lightly with a 400-grit sandpaper. Areas that are rough can be sanded using additional force.
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8
Wipe the entire car with cotton rags saturated with lacquer thinner.
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9
Spray a second light coat of primer as noted in step five. Give extra attention to the areas that needed more sanding, to ensure they have an even coat of primer. Allow the primer to dry for an additional two hours.
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10
Sand the entire car with 400-grit sandpaper once primer is dry, and wipe the car with lacquer thinner so that all dirt is removed.
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11
Apply a light coat of automotive paint in the same fashion that the primer was applied. Allow the painted area to dry at least two hours or until the area is no longer tacky to the touch.
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12
Spray one or two additional coats of paint onto the race car, allowing the area to dry completely in between each step.
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Tips & Warnings
Soak the tip of the spray gun in lacquer thinner between coats to ensure it does not become clogged.
Clean out the paint gun before using paint. Fill the container with lacquer thinner and spray until the liquid coming out of the gun is clear.
Always wear a respirator mask and goggles when spraying the paint.
Keep all materials away from open flame. Paint and lacquer thinner are highly combustible products.
