Things
you need to prepare!
1. Time
The supplies needed to paint a car at home are basic, but
you’ll need about twenty to thirty hours of painting time for a car that’s very
small, or larger models.
2. Paint
brushes
You’ll need several paintbrushes that can reach the crevices
of the car and get into them because it will help you in painting it. The
brushes should be synthetic and of good quality. Brushes that are too soft
don’t work well.
3.
Plastic tray
A plastic tray is used to contain paint and keep it at the
right temperature. You may also use a warm air paint gun, but a plastic tray
will be more convenient than an air gun.
4.
Painting templates
Painting templates are used to get your car painted evenly
in one go, so you don’t need to take turns painting it. You should buy a set
with several sizes to get the best results.
5.
Plastic panel
You’ll need a plastic panel to cover your car when it’s not
in use. The panel should fit perfectly, and it can be either temporary or
permanent, but for the size of the car that you’re painting, I think temporary
is better.
6.
Sandpaper
Sandpaper is used to sand the car before painting. You can
buy various types of sandpaper, but it doesn’t matter, and you only need one to
do the task.
7.
Goggles and mask
To protect your eyes and face, you should use protective goggles and a mask when painting. It will keep you free of dust particles that
can cause health issues.
8. Cloth
To wipe the car, a towel will do the job perfectly. You
should get a soft one that can reach the crevices and rid of dirt in them.
9. Primer
The primer should be used first when you’re painting your
car. Its main role is to create adhesion between the paint and the car surface
so it will last longer. It’s not easy to find a primer that matches your car’s color, so you’ll need to test various types until you find one or make one.
10.
Paints
There are different paints available, and the paints may
vary, so you’ll need to test them first to see if that’s what you need. To
achieve a good result, the paints should be used properly and in the right
amounts. If not, you’ll end up with a patchy or blotchy finish or your car will
be faded after a long time. So, choose your paints carefully, because it’s
important for a good job.
11. Find
a suitable workstation
Before you start painting your car, you should find a
suitable workstation. It’s better to do the job in a well-lit area to ensure
that you don’t miss any spots. The workstation can be inside or outside your
home, but it needs enough space for you to move freely. Furthermore, if the
workstation has enough space, then you can keep your painting equipment and
supplies there so you can use them easily and will not waste time looking for
them whenever you need one of them.
Also, you should make sure that the workstation is free of
dust as well. It will be easier for you to paint the car if you do not get any
dust on it.
The workspace should be well ventilated to keep it clean and
fresh. You should also wipe it clean with a wet cloth before use to keep it
clean.
In case you have to work outside, make sure that the weather
is nice and dry so the paint can dry fast.
Now that
you have everything ready, you can start painting your car.
Stage 1:
Rust treatment
Before touching the paint, you should fix all the rusted areas on the surface of your car. Sanding these spots can be a lot of work, so
you should fix them first before painting.
Stage 2:
Wash the car
When you wash the car, do it carefully to get rid of any
dust, dirt, and possible paint from other sources. After washing, rinse it with
water and dry it properly before starting painting. If you remove dirt, wax,
and other sources of paint from the car’s surface before painting it, then
you’ll get the best results.
Stage 3:
Sanding
Sand the car by hand or use a sanding machine to remove rust
and prepare the surface of your car for paint. You can use 120-grit sandpaper
or higher if needed. Never use a coarse sandpaper because it will ruin the
paint on your car’s surface by scratching it and making it weak.
Sanding in circular motion is the best way to give you an
even surface. You can use an orbital sander for a consistent result.
Stage 4:
Priming
To get a better finish, you should primer the car. You can
use a good quality primer or a homemade one. But using a good quality primer
is better because it will ensure that your car’s surface will last longer, and
it will give a better finish.
You may need to mix the primer with the thinners in a
predetermined ratio. Check the can for the correct mixture.
You should start spraying from the roof first. For a better
result, 2-3 coats are recommended, and you need to let the primer cure and dry
completely in between coats.
Spraying
technique:
- For an even coat, use the
spray in long sweeping motions and keep the gun moving all the time.
- The spray should be thin,
so you need to thin it out by mixing it with water.
- Use a paint can with a
good nozzle that will spread the paint properly.
Stage 5:
Painting your car
The painting process should be done correctly and carefully
because it’s difficult to remove any mistakes. Always work from the top-down,
starting with the roof or trunk of the car.
The paint should be applied in long strokes. It will take
you a while to get it right, but practice makes perfect, and you’ll do great
after some time.
When painting bumpers and body panels, you should avoid
over-spraying them so as not to create drips that might cause horizontal
streaks on your car’s surface.
You shouldn’t spray your side mirrors because this will make
them look foggy. It’s not easy to achieve a perfect finish, but with practice
and patience, you’ll get there. Just be sure to spray enough primer and paint
on the car’s surface to get an even and smooth result.
Stage 6:
Lacquering
Lacquer is a clear and shiny finish that gives the car that
gorgeous shine you always wanted.
The lacquer has 3 major components which are lacquer
thinner, colorant, and catalyzer. If you want to remove the lacquered layer on
your car’s surface, you’ll need to dissolve them all with acetone or other
solvents.
To avoid scratching the surface of your paint with a metal
pad, use a high-quality soft cloth or paper towel.
Stage 7:
Drying
You should wait for 24 hours after you apply your lacquer to
dry it properly. This is a hard thing to get right because you might have to
wait for some time.
You should also use polyurethane sealant to seal the paint
from humidity and body oils and protect it from UV rays so that your car will
stay shiny for a long time.
Important
Tips
- Here are some tips you
should know to paint your car:
- Wear protective glasses
and mask at all times when painting. It’s important if you want to keep
dust particles out of your eyes, nose, and mouth and avoid breathing them
in. The protective glasses will help you avoid breathing any chemicals
that could be harmful.
- Choose a nice, dry day to
paint your car because wet conditions can ruin the paint on the surface of
your car.
- Use good quality paints
for your car. If you use low-quality paints, your car will fade and
scratch easily after some time.
- If you do not want to make
a mistake when doing the job, then practice painting techniques first on
an old car or anything else at home and with colors that you don’t mind
damaging. That way, you’ll get used to the process and be familiar with it
before using it on your favorite car or anything that’s special to you.
- If you want to get better
results for your car, make sure that the paint is wet enough. It should
cover the surface of your car and can’t be seen too much.
How much
does it cost to paint a car yourself?
The cost of painting your car at home depends on the type of
paint, primer, and lacquer you use. If you make your own paints from scratch,
then it will save you quite a lot of money. The commercial paints that cost
$60-$70 per gallon can cost up to $100 if you buy them in bulk.
The price will also depend on the method you use to apply it
and the automotive supplies that include brushes, rollers, sandpaper, and other
required items. The price of an average car paint job ranges from $150 to $350,
but you can also get it from $100 to more than $400 depending on the size and
length of the painting.
Professional auto painters will charge you an average price
of around from $450 to more than $700 for the same thing. But there are cheap
and affordable ways for doing the job.
Conclusion
It’s very important to know how to paint your car in order
to clean it and make it look new again. It could save you a lot of money if you
know how to do it properly. There are several steps involved to paint a car, so
make sure you follow them all.
Notice: All of my videos are made in good faith
for entertainment & to help people learn my methods. Many of the materials
I use in my videos are highly toxic & can be harmful to the human body. If
you are unsure of the health risks of any products, please refer to the
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or TDS (Technical Data Sheet) all products
have one, available online these days but your supplier should print on
request, follow outlined precautions or you may be putting your health at
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zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the
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