How To Apply Coats Of Paint On A Car

Did you know it only costs about $200 to paint your car? Of course, that’s if you know how to apply car paint without paying a professional.

Have you considered painting a car on your own but don’t know where to start? Do you know the types of paint to use on your vehicle?

The following guide will explore how to easily apply coats of paint on a car. Read on to learn the proper steps before picking up your paint gun.

Table of Contents

Planning

Make sure that you have at least a few days free to paint your vehicle and don’t rush the job. Your painting area should be well ventilated, well lit, and provide plenty of room to work.

The area you choose also needs a power source and minimal dust. Don’t use a residential garage because they often house furnaces or heaters that might be dangerous around paint fumes.

Prepping

Try to fix any dents, repair rust, and remove chrome or plastic trim before painting. You can replace moldings and trim after painting.

Next, sand your entire car in a circular motion. Sand it all the way to the raw metal, to the initial primer, or at least enough for the new paint to cling to. Keep in mind that sanding down to the car’s metal is the best option if you have the time.

Use a rag and mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to thoroughly clean the surfaces of your car. Then, use masking tape and newspaper to protect any surfaces of your car that you don’t want to be painted such as mirrors and door handles.

Priming

Use a corrosion-resistant and self-etching primer if you’ve sanded your car down to the metal. Make sure to apply enough primer to any areas where you’ve removed rust. Let the primer cure entirely based on its container’s instructions.

Sand the primed surfaces one more time, but not enough to reveal the metal surface again. Use a rag dampened with thinner to wipe down the primed surfaces.

Adding Coats of Paint

Check your paint’s directions and prepare it for spray painting. Hold your paint gun exactly 6 inches away from your car’s surface. Then, apply the paint in thin and even coats using a back and forth sweeping motion.

It usually takes 3 to 4 coats of paint to fully cover the surface. Always follow the manufacturer’s drying time because they can vary from 20 to 60 minutes.

Sand the surfaces one more time to remove powdery residue before applying the final coat. Next, wipe the surface with a clean rag and apply a clear coat of lacquer. Consider using products like XPEL paint to add extra protection.

Remove all the tape before the clear coat completely dries. Finally, buff out all of your painted surfaces to complete the job. You can use a rubbing compound to produce a glossy finish for an added touch.