Overview
Painting an entire car is a significant task, typically best left to professionals due to the complexity and the toxic nature of catalyzed paints used in professional setups. For those considering the task, here’s a condensed guide focused on essential steps and safety measures.
Preparation
- Work Environment: Always paint in a well-ventilated area, ideally a professional auto body spray booth. If using a garage, maintain good airflow to expel fumes.
- Safety Gear:
- Use a full body suit, hood, gloves, double cartridge respirator, and safety goggles.
- Ensure your respirator cartridges are functional; replace them immediately if you detect any paint odor.
Painting Process
- Surface Preparation:
- Thoroughly clean and sand the vehicle. Start with #220 sandpaper, followed by wet sanding with #400. This is crucial as the paint only changes the surface color without filling imperfections.
- Masking:
- Use automotive masking tape and special masking paper to cover the vehicle thoroughly. Avoid cheap tapes and newspapers that could leave residues and impurities.
- Paint Application:
- For spray can use, start from the roof and progress downwards.
- Use a professional auto body spray gun. The paint sold in pints, quarts and gallons is ready to spray and does not require thinning. Spray full wet coats and let each dry completely. Refer to the ‘Using a Spray Gun’ section of our knowledge base for comprehensive guidance.
- Specifics for Types of Paint:
- Single Stage Paint: After painting, you may begin polishing. Optionally, wet sand with #1000 grit for a mirror-smooth finish.
- Basecoat/Clearcoat System: Apply a final coat of basecoat, then the clearcoat. Sand the clearcoat with #1000 grit for a glossier finish if desired.
- Polishing:
- Use a medium-duty rubbing compound and a professional power buffer for polishing. Practice on a spare piece to avoid common mistakes like burning the clearcoat.
Additional Paint Requirements
- For full coverage, including under the hood, trunk, and door jambs:
- Large Vehicles (e.g., SUVs, large pickups): 1 gallon
- Medium Vehicles (e.g., Ford Mustang): 3 quarts
- Small Vehicles (e.g., VW Jetta): 2 quarts
- Add a quart or pint if changing the vehicle’s color or painting additional areas.
Key Considerations
- Monitor humidity and temperature as they significantly affect the paint’s finish.
- Ensure you have adequate help or supervision during the process to maintain safety.