Car Painting: Auto Body and Paint

When you choose to undertake some DIY car painting, you will inevitably find yourself having to visit your local body and paint shop.  While these stores can sometimes be intimidating, rest assured the clerks there are eager and willing to help you with any question you have. Many clerks will often have up to date information and are continuously receiving update from paint and auto suppliers.  While some may not have actual car painting experience, rest assured they will have technical knowledge that will aid you in completing your project. There are, however, a few things one may want to keep in mind when entering these stores.

First, make sure to be up front and honest about what you are doing. It will only hurt your project if you are deceptive. It will also help, if possible, to bring your project to the store. Giving the store clerk a visual perceptive will aid him or her in deciding which paint system is best to use. 

The store clerks will be invaluable throughout the whole process.  This makes it wise to show them respect.  Be courteous and if you see them busy with another customer in the store, let them help the customer before approaching them.  Do not expect them to drop everything to help you as they have a whole store to attend to.  This makes it best to visit during the week when customer traffic is low so they have extra attention to give to your project.

It may also be wise to think about your questions at home before entering the store.  This will enable you to make them sound intelligent and polite. This will also save you and the clerk time when speaking about the information you are seeking.  No clerk likes the rambling DIY auto painter who cannot even get his questions straight.

Auto body stores will have everything you need to complete your project.  This makes it a wise idea to visit them and become familiar with those who work there. In addition, you can find information sheets and application guides for every paint they carry in stock.  These sheets come directly from the manufacturers. With some manners and well thought out questions, you should be able to find out everything you need.  Take advantage of this resource that many of us will find in our neighborhoods.