A good base coat is needed for a clear coat paint job.
When you spray paint your car, you first apply a primer, a base coat and a clear coat, but it can be difficult to get these coats to look even if the paint has a tendency to run.It's possible to save thousands of dollars on a professional paint job with the right tools and patience.Make sure to follow safety guidelines and devote several days to the process.
Step 1: You should buy enough primer, base coat, and clear coat to cover your vehicle.
For a small- to medium-sized car, you will need 1 gallon of primer, 3 gallons of base coat, and 2 to 3% of clear coat.Double those amounts for larger vehicles.You can find the color code on your car's compliance plate.If you give that to an auto paint store, they will be able to match the color for you.It is always better to have more paint than less.Excess paint can be used for touch-ups.
Step 2: Before you start working, assemble your protective gear.
You will need disposable gloves, disposable eyewear, and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.The instructions on the primer, base coat, and clear coat should be checked.You can rent a respirator from your local hardware store if you don't own one.
Step 3: If you want the best results, work in a location that is 70–80 F.
If the weather forecast is clear for a few days, you can work outside.If you live in an area with high humidity, it will take longer for each coat of paint to dry, so consider working climate-controlled space if you can.The paint should be dry when working in the right temperature.
Step 4: The car needs to be washed
Take a big bucket and fill it with warm water and dish detergent.Use a large sponge to wash your car, starting at the top and working your way down.Once the car is washed, use a lint-free towel to dry it off.The car needs to be completely free of wax, oil, and dirt and the dish soap is gentle enough to clean it off.
Step 5: The 180-320-grit sandpaper can be used to remove rust spots and scratches.
If you have a sander, you can use it to remove rust and scratched up areas.You will be sanding the entire body of the car, but this pre-step will help prepare the areas for the primer, base, and clear coats.To make sure they are fully prepared, Sand corners and small crevices by hand.The sanding machine will not be able to maneuver such small spaces.
Step 6: There is sand.
There is a spray bottle filled with water.Sand in a back and forth motion after spraying a section of the car.Continue until the entire car is smooth, refilling the water bottle as needed.If the paint job is patchy, sand until you get to the bare metal frame.Sand until you get an even, smooth-to-the-touch surface.The wet sanding makes the surface smooth and apposed to the coarser surface that comes from regular sanding.It is not possible to get the car over-wet, so don't worry about how much water you spray.If you don't have a sander, use rubber sanding blocks.
Step 7: You can dry the car with a lint-free towel.
You should pay attention to the body of the car as you wash it again.If there are areas that need to be sanded again, take some time to do it.After the car has been washed, dry it with a towel.All the little bits of paint and sandpaper are gone when the car is Rinsing.
Step 8: Put masking tape and plastic over the windows, lights, and tires.
Place the tape around the area you don't want to paint.Apply a second layer of masking tape to keep the cover in place after covering those areas with plastic sheeting.Use a knife to press the tape down.You can use old newspaper if you don't have plastic film.There are online instructions for taping off your car.If you are working in an area with other tools or furniture, you may want to spread some plastic over them to keep them clean.
Step 9: Before applying base and clear coats, apply 2 coats of primer.
It is possible that you will need to mix the primer with a thinner first.Load your mixture into the spray gun.Hold the gun about 6 inches from the body of the car and spray in a back and forth motion until the whole car is covered.Wait 20 minutes between coats.You can use an old piece of wood or scrap metal to practice spraying primer on your car.You can use this to get a feel for the machine.
Step 10: After the primer has dried, Sand the vehicle with wet sandpaper.
If you want to gently go over the entire vehicle, you should use a spray bottle and wet powdery sandpaper.To make the surface smooth, just sand enough.Before moving on to the base coat, wipe down the sanded, primed car with a damp rag and let it dry completely.
Step 11: Let the base coat dry for 20 minutes after you spray it.
If the base coat needs to be mixed with thinners, check the instructions.Load the spray gun with liquid.Hold the sprayer 6 to 10 inches away from the car and use smooth, even strokes, going from left to right rather than up and down or in circles.If you are painting a small- to medium-sized vehicle, it will take about 10 minutes to apply the first base coat.
Step 12: After the first coat dries, apply a second coat.
The same technique is used, moving in slow strokes.It's a good time to check over the vehicle and make sure everything is okay.To get your spray gun ready for the clear coat, clean it out after the second coat has been applied.The metal of the frame can be seen through the primer and base coat.
Step 13: Before moving on to the clear coat, let the base coat completely dry.
It usually takes 30 minutes for the base coat to dry, but it could take up to 60 minutes depending on the temperature and humidity.It is dry when it is smooth to the touch and your fingers don't drag on it.If you notice any bumpy areas, sand the area down again and apply the base coat.
Step 14: The first coat of the clear coat should be sprayed over the base.
The clear coat should be followed by any manufacturer's specifications from the paint can.Make your way down to the bottom of the car by spraying from left to right.Use long strokes.Wait 10 minutes after the first coat to apply the second.The clear coat should be easy to see as it goes on the car, so take your time to make sure the entire body is evenly coated.The clear coat is dry if it is smooth to the touch.
Step 15: To create a glossy finish, apply the second coat.
After the first clear coat has dried, repeat the process to apply the second.A coat.To coat the entire body of the car, use smooth, even strokes.If you apply particularly thin first and second coats, you can do a third coat.
Step 16: Before the paint dries, remove the plastic and masking tape.
After applying the last clear coat, peel away the masking tape and plastic sheeting.Slowly, try to keep the plastic out of the clear coat.If there is anything left on the tape, ignore it.You can use something like Goo Gone to rub it away.
Step 17: Sand and spray the area to fix any problems.
Since you have already removed the tape, be careful when doing this.If you have to fix anything, it will most likely be a small section that you can spray again.If you have leftover paint, you can always use the process of sanding and spraying to fix small scratches in the future.
Step 18: It's a big man.
Before you buff, make sure the clear coat is completely dry.If you don't own a hardware store, you can rent a buffer.If you leave the buffer on any particular spot for too long, it could burn or wear away the paint you just applied, so use a low setting and buff quickly.If you don't want to buff your car, it makes it look better.