Car Being Buffed After Repainted
Automobile Maintenance DIY Auto Repair

3 Hacks to a Perfect Do It Yourself Auto Paint Job

There are over 2.8 billion cars registered across America. As well as helping you get from A to B, these vehicles are something for you, your friends, and your family to enjoy. So keeping them looking good is important. 

That’s why Americans spend an average of $2,473 every month on their cars! But what if you want to give your vehicle a new lick of car paint without breaking the bank?

Well, you could paint your car at home. In that case, you need our top tips on repainting a car yourself. Read on to find out more.

1. Find a Sheltered Spot 

Before you start prepping your car for a new paint-job you need to find the right place to do this.

You need somewhere where your car will be protected from the weather and other elements that could interfere. The last thing you want is dirt and grit getting blown into the paint while it’s still wet. 

A garage is ideal. If you find one, make sure that you sweep it down and set up a clear workstation before you start. This will make your job a lot easier in the long-run.

2. Make Sure You Have The Right Car Painting Equipment

In order to do a good job on your car, you need to use proper car painting tools. These will ensure quality at every stage of the painting process.

You will need: 

  • An electric sander
  • 1200-grit and 2000-grit wet and dry sandpaper
  • A flap disc
  • A couple of rolls of masking tape
  • An air compressor or spray gun
  • Old newspapers
  • Car paint and paint thinners

If possible, look at getting a dust extractor to keep the air around your car clear of dust and other debris.

You should also make sure that you wear the proper safety equipment at all times. This includes a face mask and safety glasses.

3. Take Your Time

The auto painting process isn’t a quick one and rushing the job could end badly. If you want your car to look great, make sure you set aside specific time for this work.

There are three key stages of delivering a high-quality paint job on your car.

Sanding removes the old paint from your car. This can take some time but is vital if you want the new coat of paint to look good. Make sure you are thorough when sanding.

After this, you will need to prime your car before painting is. Don’t be tempting to skip this stage. If you do your new coat of paint will be bumpy and prone to chipping. It won’t last long before it needs more work.

If you only have one car, you may also want to consider hiring a spare while you are re-painting your own. This will stop you from feeling as though you have to rush to get it finished.

Time to Paint Your Car at Home!

As you can see, it’s not as hard as you might think to paint your car at home. It’s a great way to give your vehicle a new lease of life without spending loads.

For more tips on looking after your car, keep scrolling!