Painting Your Entire Car

Overview

Painting an entire car or truck 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.

First Timers

If you have never repainted a car before, but just want to try, by all means, go for it. However, just live with the fact your first job will probably not go very well. My own experience painting my first car was a disaster! I ended up washing off the entire paint job with lacquer thinner and then tried again. The second time was much better.

In a collision repair shop, it can take a few years to really put out a professional job and this is with another professional guiding you!

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. Do not have any exposed skin which can absorb the paint fumes.
    • Ensure your respirator cartridges are functional; replace them immediately if you detect any paint odor.

Painting Process

  1. 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. For deeper scratches, use our spot putty. These areas should be reprimed and sanded again.
  2. Masking:
    • Use automotive masking tape and special masking paper to cover the vehicle thoroughly. Regular masking tape will leave a residue which is very difficult to remove.
    • Do not use newspaper as it will shed particles which will stick to the fresh paint.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  • Practice! Don’t just start painting your vehicle without practicing on some scrap metal. This is KEY! You will learn more by doing then simply following directions. You will see what works and what causes runs and sags in the paint.
  • First timer? Expect disaster and hope it turns out better than expected!