How To Paint Your Car On a Budget
If your car is in need of a paint job and you are unable to afford the expensive fees that are often charged by most auto painting service shops, you may want to consider painting your own car to save you a lot of money. This process is not as hard as you may think. All you need is some time and a few materials to complete the job yourself.
- Wash your car thoroughly using a mild detergent. Be sure that you wash your car well removing any dirt, debris or oil from the surface of your car.
- Apply a degreaser product to your car to remove any oils on the surface of your paint's finish. You can purchase a degreaser from your local auto parts store fairly inexpensively. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for application.
- Rinse your car thoroughly using a high pressure attachment on a standard garden hose. Ensure that the surface of your car is clean and debris-free.
- Allow your car to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step. The amount of time needed to dry will depend on the outside temperature and humidity level in the area where your car is stored. Properly ventilating the space will help your car dry faster.
- Sand the surface of your car's paint to remove the sealant and paint using a medium grit sand paper. Once the paint is removed, you will be able to tell if there are many small scratches or rust spots on the surface of your car's body.
- Sand any imperfections thoroughly to remove them before repainting your car.
- Go over the entire surface of your car's body with a fine grit sand paper to even it out, and provide a proper surface for the primer and paint to adhere to.
- Tape off all areas of your car that you do not want to get paint on. You can cover large areas such as bumpers and windows with newspaper and secure with masking tape to hold in place.
- Apply an auto body primer to the surface of your car. Hold the can at least six inches from the surface of your car to avoid streaking or dripping in the primer. Apply a thin coat evenly on the entire surface of your car in a back and forth motion.
- Allow the primer to dry for a few hours, or until it is dry to the touch; the amount of time needed will vary depending on the conditions in your garage.
- Apply your base coat using the same technique that you used to apply the primer. Be sure to stay in a continuous motion for even coverage. Apply a thin coat; it is ok if the primer still shows through because you will be applying a second coat.
- Allow the first coat to dry overnight before adding the second coat of paint to your car. Use the same technique paying careful attention to evenly coating the surface of your car.
- Allow the paint to cure for 24 to 48 hours depending on the outside temperature and humidity. You want the paint to be completely cured before polishing your car.
- Purchase a quality car polish from your local auto parts store. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for application. This car polish will seal in your new paint job and add a beautiful shine to the finished product.