When it comes to painting your own car, you'll first need to apply a primer, then a primer, ending with clear paint. However, it can sometimes be difficult to make these layers appear even as the paint tends to seep out. Fortunately, with patience and the right equipment, you can get a shiny painted car and save hundreds of thousands of rupiah in repair costs. You need to take a few days to run the process and make sure to follow safety guidelines while working.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Gathering Materials and Preparing the Vehicle
Step 1. Purchase enough primer, primer, and clear paint for the vehicle
For a small to medium sized car, you will need 4 liters of primer, 11 liters of primer and 8-12 liters of clear paint. For large vehicles, this number needs to be doubled.
- If you want to match the original car paint color, check the car's certificate plate for the vehicle's color code. You can give it to the repair shop staff and they will find a paint that matches your vehicle's color.
- It is better to increase the stock of your car paint so there is no shortage. You can save leftover paint for a car paint repair project one day.
Step 2. Put on protective gear before work
You will need a respirator, eye protection, disposable gloves, and soiled clothing. Refer to the user manual on the label of your vehicle's primer, primer, and clear paint for other protective measures.
If you do not have your own respirator, please rent one at a hardware store
Step 3. Work in a location of 21–27°Celsius for best results
Depending on the weather, you can also work outdoors. Check the weather forecast to find out the weather forecast for today and the next few days. If you live in a high humidity area, it will take longer for each layer to dry so work in a controlled climate if you can; just make sure the room has smooth air flow.
Work with the right temperature to help the paint dry properly
Step 4. Wash the car with dish soap and dry it with a lint-free towel
Take a large bucket and fill it with warm water and some dish soap. Then, use a large sponge to wash the car, starting from the top to the bottom. When the whole car is clean, dry it with a lint-free towel.
The car must be completely clean of wax, grease and dirt. Also, dish soap should be gentle enough to clean the car without leaving a soap residue
Step 5. Scrub the rusty spots and scratches with 180-320 grit sandpaper
If you have a sander, put some sandpaper in there and scrub the rusty and scratched areas of the car. You'll be sanding the entire body of the car later, but this step will help prepare the area for the primer, primer, and clear paint.
Manually sand the corners and recesses of the car's surface to make sure they are fully prepared. A sanding machine will not be able to reach these narrow passages
Step 6. Sand the entire car using 1000-1500 grit wet sandpaper
You will need special wet sandpaper and a spray bottle filled with water. Spray the car, and start sanding back and forth (not circularly). Continue this process until the entire surface of the car is smooth, and refill the spray bottle if necessary. If the condition of the old paint that is to be repaired or replaced is bad enough, sand it down until the metal frame is visible. If the old paint isn't too bad, just sand it down until it's smooth to the touch.
- Wet sandpaper produces a very smooth surface, in contrast to the rough surface caused by ordinary sanding.
- Do not worry about using excess water because it will not damage the car.
- Use a rubber sanding block if you don't have a sander.
Step 7. Rinse the car and dry it again with a lint-free towel
Pay attention to the body of the car when it is rinsed a second time. If there are still areas that need to be sanded, do so. Once the car has been rinsed, dry it with a lint-free towel.
Rinse the car again to make sure it is free of all paint and sandpaper debris
Step 8. Glue the plastic to the windows, lights, and car tires using masking tape
Glue on the edges of any areas you don't want to paint. Use a putty knife to press the tape into nooks and crannies.
- If you don't have film or plastic sheets, use 2-3 sheets of old newspaper.
- Check online tutorials for tips and examples of how to tape a car.
- If you're working on an area that has tools or furniture, it's also a good idea to cover it with plastic to keep it from getting dirty.
Part 2 of 3: Spraying Car Primer and Primer
Step 1. Apply 2 coats of primer before applying primer and clear paint
Check the primary manufacturer's instructions before starting; sometimes primer needs to be mixed with thinner. When the mixture is ready, put it in a spray gun. Hold the tool 15 cm from the car body and spray back and forth until it covers the entire body of the car. Wait for 20 minutes between each layer.
Use a piece of wood or metal to practice painting before doing it on the car. This way, you will be more familiar with working on the car
Step 2. Scrub the vehicle with 2000 grit wet sandpaper after the primer has dried
The primer will leave a powdery, ugly coating on the car so gently wipe the entire surface of the vehicle with a spray bottle and damp sandpaper. Rub just enough until the surface is completely smooth.
Wipe the surface of the car that has been sanded and sprayed with a primer with a cloth and allow it to dry before proceeding to primer
Step 3. Spray the first coat of primer and let dry for 20 minutes
Read the primer's manufacturer's guide to see if the paint needs to be mixed with a thinner. Pour the mixture into a cleaned spray gun. Hold the tool 15-25 cm from the surface of the car and spray it evenly from left to right, instead of going up and down or in circles.
Usually this first coat of primer can be finished in 10 minutes for a small or medium car
Step 4. Spray a second coat of primer when the previous coat is dry
Use the same technique, and spray evenly and slowly. This is a good time to check the vehicle and make sure it looks even. When the second coat is complete, clean the spray gun to prepare for spraying clear paint.
If you still see the metal frame through the primer and primer, we recommend spraying a third coat of primer
Step 5. Allow the primer to dry completely before moving on to clear paint
Usually you need to wait 30 minutes for the primer to dry, but it can take up to 60 minutes depending on temperature and humidity. If the paint feels smooth to the touch and your finger doesn't drag when you touch it, it means the paint is dry.
If you notice any residue or bulging areas, sand again and re-spray the primer until it's even
Part 3 of 3: Spraying Clear Paint and Finishing the Project
Step 1. Spray the first coat of clear paint evenly on the surface of the primer
Fill the spray gun with clear paint while following all product directions on the product label. Start at the top of the vehicle and spray from left to right all the way to the bottom of the car. Spray long and evenly. Wait for 10 minutes after this first coat before applying the second coat.
- The clear coat of paint should be easily visible on the surface of the car so take the time to make sure it coats the entire body of the car evenly.
- Clear paint is dry when it feels smooth to the touch, and not sticky.
Step 2. Spray a second coat of clear paint to create a nice, shiny coat
Once the first coat of clear paint has dried, repeat the process for the second (and final!) coat of clear paint. Do not forget to spray gently and evenly until it completely covers the surface of the car.
If you want, or if the first and second coats of clear paint are thin enough, you can apply a third coat, although two will usually suffice
Step 3. Remove the plaster and plastic cover before the paint dries
Just after you've applied the last coat of clear paint, carefully remove the tape and plastic sheet or newspaper. Do it slowly, and try to keep the tape from sticking to the clear coat of paint.
If there is a sticky residue left from the tape, ignore it for now. You can clean it then use a product like Goo Gone
Step 4. Fix any blemishes or uneven areas by re-sanding and spraying
Do it carefully because the tape and protective plastic have been removed. If there's a part that needs repair, it's likely a small part that can be carefully re-sprayed.
Don't forget that you can always use this sanding and spraying procedure to correct minor blemishes later on, especially if you have leftover paint
Step 5. Buff off a coat of clear paint until it shimmers
Make sure the clear paint is completely dry before buffing. You can rent a buffer tool from a hardware store. Use low settings and polish carefully but quickly; if a spot is buffed for too long, the paint can burn or wear out.
You don't have to polish your car if you don't want to, but your car will be even shinier
Tips
- If you see drips when you spray paint, don't worry! Just use sandpaper to scrub the area and repaint it.
- If you work in a moderately warm and humid area, let the car sit a bit longer between coats of primer, primer, and clear paint.
Warning
- Make sure you follow the safety guidelines of the primer or paint manufacturer and wear the necessary safety gear.
- Mix the paint and solvent in a well-ventilated area and away from any sources of ignition.
