How to paint your auto body in Butte MT
After a while your auto body will look old and faded or you may want to change its color. Having your care painted is so expensive; that is why you need to know how to paint it by yourself to save a lot of money.
Of course it is not an easy job but this guide will simplify the process to make it easier.
Let’s find out how to paint your auto body efficiently and easily.
1. Prepare a suitable place:
The best place to paint your car should have the following characteristics:
- Good lightening and good ventilation.
- Minimal dust. You may consider renting a dust extractor among the tools that you will use.
- Large place to be able to move around your car.
- Electricity.
2. The materials:
You will need this list of materials:
- Wet and dry sandpapers. Buy a lot.
- An electric or air-powered sander and an air compressor.
- A spray gun.
- Paint thinners.
- Enamel paint.
- Clear-coat lacquer.
- Any other painting equipment in case I missed something.
And for your safety you will need:
- Face masks.
- Safety glasses.
- Safety coat.
- Papers or plastic to cover the floor of the place.
Not all cars will take the same amount of painting regarding the size of the auto body. Make sure to buy more than you may need.
3. Prepare the auto body:
There are 4 things that should be done at this point:
• Removal of any plastic parts:
Some parts can be easily removed; others need special tools. Don’t try to force a part off not to damage it.
• Sanding the paint:
To obtain the best results, remove the old paint down to the bare metal.
• Clean the whole surface of the auto body with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol. That way you will make sure that the surface is completely clean especially of oils.
• Cover the parts that will not be painted:
Make sure that parts like mirrors, door handles and glass are covered by masking tape and papers not to be painted.
4. The painting process:
Consider the following steps:
• Make the auto body ready by spraying it with corrosion resistant and self-etching prime. Distribute the spray properly and overspray any scratches.
• Give the primer enough time to dry out. Read the instructions on the container of the primer to know the curing time as the timing differs according to the type of the primer.
• Sand the vehicle again. Don’t overdo the sanding process not to remove the primer.
• Use wax or acetone to remove any oils or dust that accumulated on the auto body during spraying the primer.
• Spray the finish paint. Read the instructions on the container well. Use the paint thinners properly not to over-thin the paint.
• Wait till the finish paint dry then sand the whole vehicle again and finally polish the paint.
Well, this is the simplest guide to paint your auto body on your own. Read the instructions and the steps well before doing anything as a small mistake may ruin everything. After finishing it, drive it around, show it off and drive careful so you don't end back up in an auto repair shop.
Of course it is not an easy job but this guide will simplify the process to make it easier.
Let’s find out how to paint your auto body efficiently and easily.
1. Prepare a suitable place:
The best place to paint your car should have the following characteristics:
- Good lightening and good ventilation.
- Minimal dust. You may consider renting a dust extractor among the tools that you will use.
- Large place to be able to move around your car.
- Electricity.
2. The materials:
You will need this list of materials:
- Wet and dry sandpapers. Buy a lot.
- An electric or air-powered sander and an air compressor.
- A spray gun.
- Paint thinners.
- Enamel paint.
- Clear-coat lacquer.
- Any other painting equipment in case I missed something.
And for your safety you will need:
- Face masks.
- Safety glasses.
- Safety coat.
- Papers or plastic to cover the floor of the place.
Not all cars will take the same amount of painting regarding the size of the auto body. Make sure to buy more than you may need.
3. Prepare the auto body:
There are 4 things that should be done at this point:
• Removal of any plastic parts:
Some parts can be easily removed; others need special tools. Don’t try to force a part off not to damage it.
• Sanding the paint:
To obtain the best results, remove the old paint down to the bare metal.
• Clean the whole surface of the auto body with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol. That way you will make sure that the surface is completely clean especially of oils.
• Cover the parts that will not be painted:
Make sure that parts like mirrors, door handles and glass are covered by masking tape and papers not to be painted.
4. The painting process:
Consider the following steps:
• Make the auto body ready by spraying it with corrosion resistant and self-etching prime. Distribute the spray properly and overspray any scratches.
• Give the primer enough time to dry out. Read the instructions on the container of the primer to know the curing time as the timing differs according to the type of the primer.
• Sand the vehicle again. Don’t overdo the sanding process not to remove the primer.
• Use wax or acetone to remove any oils or dust that accumulated on the auto body during spraying the primer.
• Spray the finish paint. Read the instructions on the container well. Use the paint thinners properly not to over-thin the paint.
• Wait till the finish paint dry then sand the whole vehicle again and finally polish the paint.
Well, this is the simplest guide to paint your auto body on your own. Read the instructions and the steps well before doing anything as a small mistake may ruin everything. After finishing it, drive it around, show it off and drive careful so you don't end back up in an auto repair shop.