THE BASICS OF PAINTING A CAR FROM HOME
Do you want a El Cheapo job? Or maybe you just want a super sick paint job
Your garage is probably a great place to start but be careful for safety issues (water heaters or furnaces that could Ass able hazard because of paint fumes). Assemble everything you will need for the job and organize it so everything is easy to reach and not in harm & # 39; s way.
The Basic Equipment and Materials You Will Need for painting a car from home are ...
Paint sprayer
Paint
Sand paper, sanding blocks
Safety goggles and gloves
Masking tape
Hand tools to remove trim etc.
Before You Begin, Repair all body dents or blemishes so they will not be visible after you paint and remove all rust from the car. Take off the chrome or plastic trim on the car.
This is fairly easy.. Today almost all body panel molds found on cars can be "popped" off and back on them. You do not want to damage the melding or chrome.
Next, sand the paint.
You have to sand it down either to the bare metal or the original primer, and at least enough to create a surface that your new paint will adhere to. For the very best results, sand the paint down to the bare metal, which will mean You 'll have to reprime the surface before you can apply paint.
Then meticulously clean all of the car & # 39; s surfaces.
Use denatured alcohol or mineral spirits because you do not want any oil whatever on the surface when you paint.
Cover all surfaces that you want to remain paint-free with masking tape and paper.
Otherwise overspray from the paint gun will get through through the painting gun will be through through this paper means that there is no pin pricks or perforations in the paper and that paper and that the masking tape is smooth and adheres well. them and ruin the job.
Applying the Paint
Prime the surface with a good primer.
If you have removed all of the car, you should use a corrosion resistant, etching primer. Also be certain to prime well all the surfaces you used body filler on or surfaces that you removed rust from. Take Make sure to apply apply plenty of paint to fill all scratches or pits that may remain on the body from sanding, etc.
Check the directions on the primer and allow sufficient time for the primer to dry thoroughly.
With a wax / grease remover or acetone, thoroughly clean all surfaces that you primed to remove any dust or oil that has settled on it during priming and sanding.
Follow the paint manufacturer & # 39; s directions. See if a hardener or catalyst is recommended to be used with the paint. Thin the paint properly for the more equipment you are using. Allow the paint to fully dry.
Next apply Clear-Coat for a defect, glossier look.
There are a lot of finishing touches and technologies to reward this point, but these are the fundamental steps you need to follow to get a good paint job on your car and in the process save hundreds of dollars by doing it yourself!
