Once your paint job starts to fade and deteriorate, your first thought may be to have a professional repaint your car. If you have free time and patience, you can learn to paint your vehicle yourself. Painting your own car can save you money and you will also learn a valuable skill.
To successfully paint your vehicle, you will need to obtain a spray paint machine, which you can easily rent from a home improvement or car supply store.
Preparation is Key
Your paint job will only be as good as your preparation. You have to correctly prepare the surface of the vehicle so that it can accept the paint without the paint bubbling or cracking. To being, wash your car thoroughly. You can run it through a car wash or wash it yourself. If you take your vehicle to a car wash, do not add any wax or polish to the surface.
Once the car is clean, you need to wipe the areas to be painted with a cleaner that can cut grease. The wax build up on the surface must be removed before you can paint the vehicle.
Sand and Fill for a Smooth Surface
Once the car is clean, you need to remove the current layer of paint for a smooth and even surface. Use an orbital sander if you are sanding a large section of the vehicle. Once the vehicle has been sanded, you may notice small nicks or indentations in the surface. Fill these indentations using an auto body filler until the surface is smooth and even.
Protect Unpainted Areas
Protect the areas that do not need paint by covering them. For large areas, cover with newspaper sheets and then tape the edges to keep paint off. For small objects, see if they can be removed. If the object can not be removed, cover it thoroughly and carefully using a painter's tape or masking tape.
Priming and Painting Your Vehicle
Choose a primer that is designed for vehicles, and a paint that matches your current paint if you are only painting a portion of the car. Rent a spray painter from a home improvement store and follow the manufacturer's directions for use. Prime the vehicle first and allow the primer to dry completely before painting. Apply the paint evenly, making sure to coat the entire surface. You may need to apply two coats of paint. Add a glossy topcoat if you wish for extra protection.
While painting your vehicle may seem daunting, it is a simple task as long as you prepare your vehicle well and use the correct supplies.
Source:
- How to Car, "How to Repaint a Car", , Accessed September 9, 2010
Sarah Thomas - Sarah Thomas has been a freelance writer for more than five years. She has ghostwritten e-books and articles on topics ranging from ...
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