Painting your car? DIY tips

We all like a change from time to time which is why we do thing s like change our decor, the colour of our homes and even the colour of our hair! But why stop there? If you wish, you can successfully repaint your car too and do it yourself at home.

Repaint your car: Preparation advice

Like with any other painting job, good preparation is the key to a great result so if your next painting project is your car, be sure to know how to prepare it properly for its new colour. The most important steps in the preparation are:

• Thoroughly wash the car
• Wipe it over very well with a grease and wax remover
• Mask the window mouldings with heavy duct tape for protection for the sander
• Sand the car body down to the base paint level
• Clean car thoroughly after sanding and mask up for painting

For sanding, it is a good idea to go with a dual action orbital sander as it is less likely to gouge the car body than a grinder or rotary sander. What you want to achieve is a smooth surface without pits or scratches as these will tarnish the end result.
Repair any minor imperfections with an auto body filler and when set, file into shape to bring it level with the surface of the car body. Often this job requires a glazing compound which can be sanded into shape.

Car paintjob: How to apply the paint

Choosing the right primer is important and be sure to follow the instructions carefully in regard to application a poor job at this stage will ultimately show up in the finished product. The primer then needs to be sanded and again, care needs to be taken to achieve a nice smooth finish. Be careful that you don't cut back too far and expose the layer underneath.

The paint usually goes on in two or three layers and it's important to spray the paint on in thin even layers rather than applying it too thickly, as paint can develop runs and drag as a result. Hold the spray gun at least 12 inches from the car to get a more even spray.
It is also a good idea to allow your sweeps with the spray gun to overlap as this will give you better coverage and an even paint application. Allow the paint to dry between coats and be sure to work in a well ventilated, dust free area.

Painting your car yourself is a less expensive option than having it done professionally and all up it can take just a few weeks, depending on how much prep work was needed, but taking short cuts with the preparation to speed the process is not a good idea. Sloppy preparation will just result in a less than pristine result.