Auto Paint How To: A Basic Guide

Whether you are just interested in re-spraying awith your base, you can start applying the primer.
small area to cover up some paint chips, or want toUse a HLVP spray gun connected to an air
treat your car to a custom paint job that will let youcompressor, as this is much more even than an
enjoy envious stares from every pedestrian youaerosol, and will be much cheaper in the long run. You
pass, you will need to follow a few basic rules, andshould use long sweeping strokes in a single direction
have the right tools to hand in order to carry out theto get a good base to paint onto. After every coat,
work to a high standard. The first thing to mentionallow the paint to dry, and then sand it back to a
about auto paint jobs is that you should always worksmooth surface. Then apply the next coat in strokes
in a well ventilated area. Paint fumes can include athat go at 90 degrees to the previous layer, as this
number of solvents that can leave you feeling lightwill produce an even color. There are two types of
headed and even poison you if you inhale them, soauto paint that you can use on a car, cellulose based
make sure there is free passage of air through yourand Two Pack auto paint. Most painters now use
work shop when you are painting. You should alsoTwo Pack because it gives a better finish, and
wear a respirator mask during painting or preparationmetallic colors are available, whereas cellulose paint
to avoid inhaling any paint and loose dust that youcan be tricky to deal with, and is best used on classic
release. To get the best effects when painting, youcars where you are trying to recapture an older
also need to make sure that you are able to keepstyle. As with the primer, you should apply the auto
dust to a minimum. You can achieve a goodpaint in coats, spraying in a single direction, then
environment by hanging sheets from floor to ceiling insanding back to a fine surface to remove any
the area where you are working, and wearingimperfections, before applying the next layer at right
overalls. You should also vacuum clean the areaangles to the previous one. In between coats, it is
where you are painting at the beginning of everyimperative to clean the nozzles on your HVLP spray
session. When you apply auto body paint, the maingun, as otherwise, small flakes of dried paint can be
thing is to get a good even finish that looks good,caught up in the spray and cause imperfections that
and the key to getting a good finish is having a goodwill spoil the final effect. Once you are satisfied that
start. Preparation is everything in paining. Get it right,you have got a good covering and applied enough
and you will be able to enjoy a fantastic smoothcoats of auto body paint to create an excellent
finish that will last for years and look great, skimp onfinish, apply one more coat for best effects, allow it
your preparation, and your finish will look shabbyto dry, and then sand back for a smooth finish. You
straight away, and then get worse over time. Beforeshould leave the paint to dry completely for 24 hours
you paint, you need to strip off the old paint job.and then apply a wax polish to the whole body in
You can do this with a solvent based paint remover,order to protect your new paint job and give it a
or do it the hard way by sanding back the panels toshine that will certainly catch the attention of anyone
bare metal using a sander. Whichever method youyou pass on the road.
choose, you need to make sure that you have aJason has been in the construction equipment and
very smooth base. To achieve this, use the finestindustrial sales business for over 10 years. He owns
grade abrasive paper available, and be prepared toand operates Red Hill Supply to better serve the
put serious time into the job. Once you are satisfiedautomotive and industrial industries.