How To Paint A Car

There are a number of important steps involved when considering how to paint a car. Lets take a look at the steps necessary to produce a quality paint job. The first step is finding a safe place to paint the vehicle. The second step requires proper preparation of the car's surface which also involves the third step which is Sanding the car. The fourth step involves properly Masking the car.

The fifth step is very often overlooked but should not be, that is Chemical Saftey (Don't skip this step it could help save your life). The sixth step required to paint a car is buying the proper equipment. The seventh step is properly priming the car. The Eighth step is selecting and spraying the top coat. These steps are important and take a great deal of practice to master. Find a mentor or someone who's work you respect and ask them to teach you some of the basics. Let's take a look at the steps necessary to produce a show car finish.

First Step-Finding a Place to Prep and Paint a Car

The first step in considering how to paint a car is deciding on where to paint the vehicle. There are a couple of options available. You could rent or buy a paint booth which would provide a dry, clean, temperature controlled area in which to paint the car.

You could also either paint the car in your garage or in your driveway. You should do some research in your area concerning where you can paint a car due to the fact it is illegal in some areas.

Second Step-Preparation

The second step required in the process is proper preparation. Proper preparation of the car is a very important part of the painting process. If the cars surface is not properly prepared for the application of paint, defects in the finish of the car could occur. Proper preparation begins with using a good wax and grease remover in addition to washing the car thoroughly before sanding.

Third Step-Sanding

The third step is sanding the vehicle. Proper preparation also involves sanding the car. Most people do not enjoy the sanding process, but it is what separates the men from the boys when it comes to a successful paint job. Everyone is anxious to apply the paint to a car but don't want to put time into a quality sanding job.

If your hesitant about putting the proper time into sanding a car you really shouldn't even start the job. When applied properly, a quality sanding job will make the difference between a show car appearance and a average paint job almost anyone could produce.

Sanding is really about feel and discovering imperfections. You should be meticulous while sanding, trying to discover and correct all mistakes, scratches and small dings until you can inspect the entire car body without finding one. You should then invite a friend or two to inspect your work to see if they can find a flaw in the body of the car. Just remember the end result of your paint job depends mostly on the quality of your sanding.

Fourth Step-Masking

The fourth step in considering how to paint a car is masking the parts of the car that you don't want painted. This is achieved by using a special self-adhesive masking tape designed specifically for car body spraying. You should be sure to cover the lights, windows, wheels and any other part of the car you won't be painting before you begin the priming process.

Fifth Step-Chemical Safety

The fifth and very important step is chemical safety. Chemical safety is a necessary precaution when working with all paint-related materials. Safety equipment should be purchased and used during the painting process.

You will need an approved respirator, disposable nit-rile gloves, eye goggles and a painters suit. Another important point to remember is to carefully read all instructions in regards to chemicals you are using. Many painters including show car professionals do not use the appropriate safety materials when painting. These misgivings may not hurt you in the short run but over time can have devastating affects on your health.

Sixth Step-Purchasing the Proper Equipment

The sixth step is purchasing the proper paint equipment. This is the last place you want to skimp and buy a inferior product. If you do you will be sanding runs and buffing out dull dry spots. Purchase a quality gun to get the job done right. The ideal setup is to have one gun for primer, and a separate gun for color. This will prevent cross contamination of the paints. I recommend you purchase a gravity feed HVLP paint gun such as the Devilbiss 2 Gun Kit & DeKups System. With these paint guns you'll be able to spray every bit of paint in the cup. These guns are top of the line and will help you produce that show car finish everyone will respect.

You will also need an air compressor that can handle the demands of your paint gun and a moisture separator to ensure that you have a dry air supply. Moisture in your air supply can very often ruin a paint job. You may also want to consider using cup liners which can allow you to spray the paint at different angles and even upside-down.

It is very important that you clean your paint gun immediately after every use to avoid paint curing in your gun. It will set very quickly and you will be buying a new gun soon thereafter.

Seventh Step-Priming

The seventh step is applying primer to the car body. Primers are materials that are applied directly over properly prepared bare metal. Epoxy primer is a waterproof material used to protect bear metal from the process of oxidation.

Epoxy is also used to cover imperfections such as scratches and small dings that have occurred during the sanding process. One or two coats of this primer are usually recommended and are applied before the application of any other product.

Most painters use a guide coat (usually black spray can enamel) over the metal surface. Once the guide coat is applied, the primer is sanded with a sanding block until all of the guide coat has been removed. It is very important to let the primer sit for at least two hours or preferable overnight before sanding.

A few auto body painters believe that epoxy primer does not have to be sanded unless runs, scratches or slight imperfections are discovered after you have applied it. But most auto body painters are of the opinion that there will always be some imperfections after applying the epoxy primer and therefore sanding with a sanding block to correct them is usually the proper course of action.

Sealer primer is then applied for the purpose of protecting the undercoat from the materials and solvents contained in the soon to be sprayed top coat. Simply stated the sealer primer creates a wall of protection between the undercoat and the top coat.

Sealer also provides the top coat paint a consistent base to enhance color uniformity. In essence the proper sealer will make the difference between an exceptional paint job or an average one.

Eighth Step-Selecting and Spraying the Top Coating

The eighth step is the selection of the proper Top Coat of Paint. Your project will depend on what outcome you will want to achieve when painting your car. There are several different types of paints used to achieve the perfect finish.

There are Base coat/Clear coat paints, Urethane paints, Water-based paints and Acrylic lacquer or Acrylic enamel paints. Head on down to your favorite paint and body shop and ask them what type of paint they would use.

Learning to spray the paint from your gun onto the cars surface without it running, blotching or drying out is an art. Only after many hours of painting will you be able to acquire the skill needed to produce a quality paint job.

Try to hold the gun 6 inches from the surface of the car. The gun must stay perpendicular to the surface as you move it at a uniform speed. Be careful not to move your wrist because this will vary the guns distance from the surface and create an uneven spray.

A neat trick to gain experience is to spray very slowly with an empty gun. Actually air paint the car to get the feel of the gun and the motion.

But what will happen is initially you will be become very skilled at buffing, due to all of the mistakes and imperfections you will have to correct. Practice your spraying skills on different objects and materials in your shop or garage such as old tool boxes, bicycle frames anything that can hold a coat of paint.

Once everyone knows you paint cars, you'll get a lot of people wanting you to paint their cars. Charge them for expenses and practice, practice, practice. Once you bang out a couple of nice paint jobs, there will be no shortage of jobs to work on.

Don't be to hard on yourself after your first couple of paint jobs. Your going to make mistakes and learn a few lessons along the way. But with practice and dedication you will get the hang of it and you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you'll catch on.

For detailed instruction on how to paint a car I recommend that you grab a copy of this Set of 4 Paintucation Series DVD. It is one of the best dvd's available. Use this site for all of your auto painting needs. They have detailed instruction on every aspect of car restoration.

Ninth Step-Airbrushing

Learning how to airbrush on a car is a unique skill that can be acquired through, yeah you guessed it practice, practice, practice. If you have never attempted airbrushing on a car its an art form that can be acquired through proper instruction. Finding a mentor to learn from is the quickest way to obtain the knowledge you will need to become a pro.