Dings and scratches on the body of your car are an eye sore. Professional paint jobs can be really expensive, and you might be thinking of doing some simple paint job on your own as it can be more economical. While you may not do as great a job when compared to the ones done by professionals, here are some tips you can make reference to when considering DIY car painting jobs!
1. Do it in a proper place
Be prepared for all kinds of weather! It is advisable to consider using a space that is sheltered from rain in case the weather turns bad. In case you are doing the paint job in a garage, do ensure proper ventilation as well!
2. Prepare all required materials
Get everything you need ready at your disposal! Make sure you have wet/dry sandpaper, masking paper and masking tape, an air compressor, spray gun, primer, base coat, lacquer, and finisher. It is also advisable to consult someone who has done car painting before to see if what you have prepared will work with the type of car you have.
3. Get the car ready for painting
Get your car washed to remove all possible dirt and dust! Make sure that no dust is hiding in cracks and corners so there won’t be paint issues later on. Check for rust and treat them before proceeding with the paint job.
4. Protect the car from paint
Secure all edges so that no paint can get underneath! You can also consider getting foam masking tape or trim masking tape that are designed to be fitted and protect door gaps and car trims.
5. Prime the car
Ask the store to mix your primer for you. Alternatively, you can mix it yourself using 1 part of acetone for every 5 parts of paint. Apply the primer evenly on the car with a spray gun. Always the spray on a flat surface first before spraying it on your car!
6. Getting the right paint
After coating your car with a layer of primer, proceed to apply the base coat. As for the next layer of paint to be used, you may check out our previous article on the pros and cons of the different types of car paints before deciding what suits your needs the best!
7. Start painting
Each panel takes a few minutes to be painted. Let the paint rest first before applying another coat. Depending on the paint type and ventilation, it may take up to a few hours for the paint to dry. You may consider applying clear coat or car paint finishes to protect the paint that is underneath as well as to make it shine better!