DIY: Auto Painting Tips
Whether you want to repair the look of a weathered vehicle or simply add your own custom finish, painting your car's exterior might be an option. Painting your car on your own may be easier on your budget, but it requires plenty of patience and care. To be successful in your DIY paint job, you will need to take the time to thoroughly prepare the car's surface for paint. You will also need to rely on the right tools for the project.
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Things You'll Need
- Chemical paint stripper
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Primer
- Spray gun
- Acrylic car paint
- Tape
- Plastic wrap
- Screwdriver
- Clear car coat
Instructions
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Prepare the surface of the car thoroughly. Use a chemical stripper to remove any previous paint from the car's surface. You will need to use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface to help the paint to properly adhere. Apply a layer of primer to the surface you want to cover, and allow it to dry fully.
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Choose an acrylic paint designed especially for painting cars. This paint must be compatible with your auto primer. Modern paints often contain polyurethane, making a final clear coat unnecessary. Car paint is considerably more expensive than other paints, but is designed to minimize chipping, rubbing and fading.
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Protect any surfaces you do not want to paint by covering or removing them from the vehicle. Windows can be taped around the edges and covered with plastic wrap. Whenever possible, gently remove side mirrors, antennas and grilles. Replace the parts once the paint has fully dried.
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Spray the car's surface evenly with a spray gun. Using a brush will expose brush strokes once the paint has dried. Professional grade spray guns might be out of the budget of a home painter, but there are many affordable spray gun options available from auto parts stores.
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Analyze the car's painted area as it dries. The end result will be only as successful as your initial preparations. If imperfections can show through the paint, sand and strip the area again as necessary. Apply coats of paint, allowing 12 to 24 hours of dry time between coats.
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Allow the paint to dry fully. Spray an even layer of clear coat over the painted areas. If your auto paint already includes a polyurethane texture, this step is unnecessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses, a ventilation mask, and other protective gear as necessary.
References
- Photo Credit classic red car image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com
