The Basics of Painting a Car from Home
Painting a car can be a frustrating and costly experience. Not only do you have to deal with unscrupulous shop owners, but to add insult to injury, you will often find yourself paying exorbitant amounts of cash for these shops to just start painting a car.
Can I paint my car myself? A question most motorists have asked themselves after receiving that small scratch or noticing that minor wear in the finish. Luckily,
one can learn the basics of painting a car from home thanks to the internet. I found the best site to be www.learnautobodyandpaint.com. I found a wealth of information there including these basics which I am about to share with you.
First, you must figure out the scope of your project. When painting a car, decide whether you are repairing damage or completely repainting. This will affect how much paint you need and how much your project will ultimately cost. If the project is small, you can probably get away with using a touch up can. If it is large, you will need a spray paint gun. In addition, this will enable you to determine how much time you will need to devote to this project. This can be crucial if you live with someone who needs to access your work space as you do not want to be interrupted.
Next, choose a good environment for painting a car. You can use your garage is you ensure it is clean, well ventilated, and has adequate space for maneuvering while painting. Ventilation can be achieved by placing a box fan between your garage and the floor, with the fan blowing outward. It is also wise to undertake a painting project during the morning as the air is typically still during this time.
You must then decide on how to apply the paint itself. If there is already paint on your project, you will need to remove it. This can be done by one of three ways. The first is sanding. This can easily prepare your project for undercoat then fresh paint. Make sure to use a 36 or 40 grit sanding disc for efficiency. There is also media or sand blasting. This method is faster but requires more safety measures as it can be dangerous to not only your car’s body, but to yours as well. The final method is chemical stripping. This can be a good choice is the vehicle is in perfect condition, save for the paint. Take care to mask the plastic and chrome accessories at chemical stripping can damage these parts.
With these basics in mind the question “can I paint my car myself” should be answered with a resounding yes. For more information, check out www.learnautobodyandpaint.com.
