Steps to Painting Your Auto
Learning how to paint your own car can seem intimidating at first. However, the process is not as hard as you may think. By simply following a step by step process you will be well on your way to painting your own car for a fraction of the price. Not only will it save you money, it will also give you pride in your workmanship.
- Locate your local city and county government offices to ensure that there are not laws that you needs to follow when painting your own car. You do not want to end up with a fine simply due to lack of knowledge. Laws can sometimes be enacted determining what types of paint you can use or where your car must be located during paint application.
- Empty out your work space of any unneeded items that will be in your way when painting your car. If there are items that you can't remove, simply cover them with a tarp to protect them from the paint settling.
- Ventilate your work space thoroughly to ensure that you are not overwhelmed with paint fumes while painting your car.
- Wash your car thoroughly and allow time to dry in a well-ventilated area.
- Apply a commercial car wash that provides a grease remover. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to apply to your car. You will want to make sure that all debris, grease and fine particles are removed from your car prior to beginning the painting process.
- Hand sand your car. This is the most important step in preparing your car for painting. Make sure that you remove any nicks and scratches thoroughly before painting.
- Apply masking tape to protect any areas that you do not want to paint. Make sure that you cover all windows with newspaper and attach with tape.
- Apply your protective gear; this includes a paint suit, safety goggles, rubber gloves and respiratory mask.
- Apply your epoxy primer to your car using a paint gun sprayer. Apply a thin, even coat.
- Apply a coat of standard primer in a thin coat to cover the epoxy protectant.
- Apply your top coat of paint; this should be your desired color that you wish to paint your car. Using a spray gun, make sure that you hold the paint gun at least six-inches away to ensure an even coat. Continue until your entire car is covered in an even coat.
- Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Drying time will depend on the temperature and ventilation of the area where the car is painted. Check for evenness and tone. If you are satisfied, then your job is complete. If not, apply a second coat of topcoat using the same application process as before.