The paintwork on your bodywork is daily subjected to severe tests, whether due to weather conditions or external aggressions. Sometimes the paint is so damaged that it will have to be repainted. Painting the body of your car yourself seems impossible to you? In this article we will explain step by step how to make and get a car like new!

Before you start, here is the list of equipment you will need to repaint your car body:

• Tarpaulins to protect the room where you are going to paint
• Protective equipment (gloves, glasses, coveralls, mask ...)
• A spray gun
• Paint, thinner and hardener
• Underlay
• Some nail polish
• A sander and sandpaper
• Body sealant
• Rags
• Degreaser

Step 1: Prepare the place where you will paint

It is very important to choose the place where you want to paint the body of your car. We recommend that you choose a closed, well-ventilated and low-dust place. Also think of having a space big enough to be able to move without obstructions around the car when you go to paint it. Once the location is chosen, also think about covering the entire interior to avoid dust and debris as much as possible, which could then settle on the paint.

Step 2: Get good equipment

To repaint the body of your car you will be exposed to all kinds of harmful substances, remember to protect yourself well. Buy quality equipment and equip yourself with gloves, coveralls, goggles and especially a respirator mask that you will use throughout the application of the paint.

Step 3: Wash your car

First of all, it is important to take the time to thoroughly wash your car before repainting the bodywork. If you ignore this step, you may regret it at the end because the rendering will not be as good as you expected. To wash your car you can either do it by hand or go to a petrol station.

Also remember to remove rust using a metal sander, remember for this step to protect yourself well with gloves and protective glasses.

Read also: Are you looking for Protective Coatings Applicator Training in Haverfordwest

Step 4: Sand the paint

If you want the paint to stick enough, you will need to sand the metal on your body until it is "bare". We recommend using sandpaper with a grain between 400 and 600. For this, you can either use a mechanical sander or do it by hand. If you use the sander, be very careful, make circular movements and take care not to scratch or leave irreversible traces on your body. Again, for this step it is recommended to protect yourself well: mask, gloves and protective glasses should not leave you!

Step 5: Clean the surface of your car

Sanding will bring new dust on your body, to remove it you can use a cloth soaked in a silicone cleaner. The advantage of this type of cleaner is that it will also degrease your car, so it will be perfectly ready to be repainted.

Step 6: Remove the components that can be dismantled

Once your car is clean, remember to remove any plastic moldings or chrome trim that can be removed. You can also remove items such as wipers, door handles, lamps, antennas ... In short, anything that is likely to receive paint spray when it should not. Normally you should not have to worry about removing these parts, if you feel resistance when you try to remove them, do not pull too sharply and instead go to a DIY store you will find suitable tools to help you.

Step 7: Cover with adhesive tape

Anything that could not be removed should be covered with tape to prevent paint chips. You can use adhesive or masking paper for this. Most of the time you will need to apply the adhesive tape to the windows, mirrors, air intake grilles...

Little tip: apply the tape carefully, even if it takes you time because if it is not very smooth, the paint may go under and you will end up with traces of paint where it is not necessary!

Step 8: Apply the undercoat

Your car is now ready to be painted, it's time to grab your spray gun and get started! First tip, if this is the first time you have painted a body, try to find a piece of wreckage to get your hands on and learn how to apply the paint correctly. Once you are comfortable, you can proceed to the installation of the undercoat also called "primer coat". Put on all your equipment and using the sprayer always apply the primer sideways. Stand about 30 cm from the vehicle. Let dry between 30 min and 60 min then apply two additional coats of primer.

After the 3 coats, wait 1 hour and lightly sand the surface of your body to remove the powdery finish. Once you have finished sanding, clean the surface of the body with a little degreaser and a cloth. Your car is now ready to be covered with paint!

Step 9: Apply the paint

Once you have chosen the right color to repaint your bodywork. Your paint should be mixed with a hardener and thinner according to the recommendations on the product. Once the mixing is done properly, if you are looking your Spray Painting Training in Haverfordwest. Apply the paint with a spray gun as you previously applied the undercoat. Let the first coat dry between 30 min and 60 min then apply 3 to 4 additional coats of paint.

Once all the layers have been applied, as for the primer, lightly sand the surface of the bodywork to remove all residues then clean with a cloth and a little degreaser.

Step 10: Apply the varnish

So that the paint on your bodywork is perfectly applied, you can last spray 2 coats of clear varnish, always using the same process as undercoating and painting. Remember to clean your sprayer well between the different stages! Once the first coat has been applied, wait for the varnish to harden and then sand lightly before applying 1 to 2 more coats of varnish.

Step 11: Let it dry

Remove all the adhesives and let the paint dry for about 1 week in the room where you painted to avoid any dust deposits.

Sand your car body a final time to remove any small imperfections, then wipe with a damp cloth.

Step 12: Polish your car

It's the final touch to make your car paint shiny! This is a very important step not to miss if you do not want to spoil all the work that you have accomplished. If you do not want to take a risk you can entrust this step to your mechanic!

The paintwork on your bodywork is daily subjected to severe tests, whether due to weather conditions or external aggressions. Sometimes the paint is so damaged that it will have to be repainted. Painting the body of your car yourself seems impossible to you? In this article we will explain step by step how to make and get a car like new!

Before you start, here is the list of equipment you will need to repaint your car body:

• Tarpaulins to protect the room where you are going to paint
• Protective equipment (gloves, glasses, coveralls, mask ...)
• A spray gun
• Paint, thinner and hardener
• Underlay
• Some nail polish
• A sander and sandpaper
• Body sealant
• Rags
• Degreaser

Step 1: Prepare the place where you will paint

It is very important to choose the place where you want to paint the body of your car. We recommend that you choose a closed, well-ventilated and low-dust place. Also think of having a space big enough to be able to move without obstructions around the car when you go to paint it. Once the location is chosen, also think about covering the entire interior to avoid dust and debris as much as possible, which could then settle on the paint.

Step 2: Get good equipment

To repaint the body of your car you will be exposed to all kinds of harmful substances, remember to protect yourself well. Buy quality equipment and equip yourself with gloves, coveralls, goggles and especially a respirator mask that you will use throughout the application of the paint.

Step 3: Wash your car

First of all, it is important to take the time to thoroughly wash your car before repainting the bodywork. If you ignore this step, you may regret it at the end because the rendering will not be as good as you expected. To wash your car you can either do it by hand or go to a petrol station.

Also remember to remove rust using a metal sander, remember for this step to protect yourself well with gloves and protective glasses.

Read also: Are you looking for Protective Coatings Applicator Training in Haverfordwest

Step 4: Sand the paint

If you want the paint to stick enough, you will need to sand the metal on your body until it is "bare". We recommend using sandpaper with a grain between 400 and 600. For this, you can either use a mechanical sander or do it by hand. If you use the sander, be very careful, make circular movements and take care not to scratch or leave irreversible traces on your body. Again, for this step it is recommended to protect yourself well: mask, gloves and protective glasses should not leave you!

Step 5: Clean the surface of your car

Sanding will bring new dust on your body, to remove it you can use a cloth soaked in a silicone cleaner. The advantage of this type of cleaner is that it will also degrease your car, so it will be perfectly ready to be repainted.

Step 6: Remove the components that can be dismantled

Once your car is clean, remember to remove any plastic moldings or chrome trim that can be removed. You can also remove items such as wipers, door handles, lamps, antennas ... In short, anything that is likely to receive paint spray when it should not. Normally you should not have to worry about removing these parts, if you feel resistance when you try to remove them, do not pull too sharply and instead go to a DIY store you will find suitable tools to help you.

Step 7: Cover with adhesive tape

Anything that could not be removed should be covered with tape to prevent paint chips. You can use adhesive or masking paper for this. Most of the time you will need to apply the adhesive tape to the windows, mirrors, air intake grilles...

Little tip: apply the tape carefully, even if it takes you time because if it is not very smooth, the paint may go under and you will end up with traces of paint where it is not necessary!

Step 8: Apply the undercoat

Your car is now ready to be painted, it's time to grab your spray gun and get started! First tip, if this is the first time you have painted a body, try to find a piece of wreckage to get your hands on and learn how to apply the paint correctly. Once you are comfortable, you can proceed to the installation of the undercoat also called "primer coat". Put on all your equipment and using the sprayer always apply the primer sideways. Stand about 30 cm from the vehicle. Let dry between 30 min and 60 min then apply two additional coats of primer.

After the 3 coats, wait 1 hour and lightly sand the surface of your body to remove the powdery finish. Once you have finished sanding, clean the surface of the body with a little degreaser and a cloth. Your car is now ready to be covered with paint!

Step 9: Apply the paint

Once you have chosen the right color to repaint your bodywork. Your paint should be mixed with a hardener and thinner according to the recommendations on the product. Once the mixing is done properly, if you are looking your Spray Painting Training in Haverfordwest. Apply the paint with a spray gun as you previously applied the undercoat. Let the first coat dry between 30 min and 60 min then apply 3 to 4 additional coats of paint.

Once all the layers have been applied, as for the primer, lightly sand the surface of the bodywork to remove all residues then clean with a cloth and a little degreaser.

Step 10: Apply the varnish

So that the paint on your bodywork is perfectly applied, you can last spray 2 coats of clear varnish, always using the same process as undercoating and painting. Remember to clean your sprayer well between the different stages! Once the first coat has been applied, wait for the varnish to harden and then sand lightly before applying 1 to 2 more coats of varnish.

Step 11: Let it dry

Remove all the adhesives and let the paint dry for about 1 week in the room where you painted to avoid any dust deposits.

Sand your car body a final time to remove any small imperfections, then wipe with a damp cloth.

Step 12: Polish your car

It's the final touch to make your car paint shiny! This is a very important step not to miss if you do not want to spoil all the work that you have accomplished. If you do not want to take a risk you can entrust this step to your mechanic!

 

You now know how to repaint your body paint yourself! If you do not feel that you are carrying out this operation yourself, you can know that you can entrust your car to a bodybuilder who will take care of refurbishing the paintwork. For a list of body shops near you, you can consult our garage comparison service and book an appointment directly online based on the price and the opinions of other motorists!