How to Do a Car Paint Job
If you want to paint your car another color, be aware that it may be difficult to duplicate the same quality as a factory paint job. Painting your own car will save you at least $500, but you will need to put in several hours of labor for it to turn out right. One benefit of painting your car is that you can customize the color and design exactly how you imagined. You will need to have several hours available, the proper painting equipment and a steady hand to paint your car properly.
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Things You'll Need
- Wire
- Plastic spreader
- Spray gun
- Car paint and clear coat
- Primer
- 150-grit sanding wheel
- Body filler
- Face mask
- Water
- Soap
- Towels
- Masking tape
Instructions
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Prepping the Car
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1
Roll up the car windows, lay down tarps and put a dust mask on your face. Remove all rust from your car with a 150-grit sanding wheel. Run your fingers over the sanded areas to make sure they're smooth.
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2
Purchase some body filler and mix together the creme hardener with the base filler on top of a piece of cardboard. Use a plastic spreader to smooth the substance over any dings. When dry, sand it down so it's smooth and even.
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3
Wash your car very well before you attempt to paint it. Remove all dust, dirt and debris that could ruin your paint job. Get underneath the mirrors, trunk and any cracks that might harbor dirt. Use soap and plenty of water to rinse off. Remove all wax build-up on your finish with a wax or grease remover. Dry it completely with towels.
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4
Wire your chassis frame underneath the car to a grounded object to discharge static electricity that might attract dust.
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5
Tape off windows/edges of the car that you don't want to paint with masking tape.
Painting the Car
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6
Apply primer solution to the areas you want to paint and sandpaper it smooth with your sanding wheel.
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7
Apply the first coat of auto paint with a spray gun. Do a light, even coat all over the car and allow it to dry for about an hour.
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8
Paint the second coat the same way you painted the first coat and let it dry for an hour or more.
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9
Apply two or three clear coats of auto paint, allowing each coat to dry for about 30 minutes before applying the next one.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Paint inside of a garage to minimize the amount of debris and insects that may land on your wet paint. Open a window and have fans blowing to keep the area ventilated.
Wear a face mask while you are spraying paint to avoid inhaling the fumes.
