If your car engine and interior are in good condition but you want to refresh the exterior you can undertake the task yourself.
Please read below for expert tips on how to produce a new look using a paint sprayer for cars. Tips include how to apply the paint as well as the types of paint and protective equipment to use.
How to Paint Your Car with Paint Sprayers
The four steps you should always follow for a flawless new exterior are preparation, stripping, priming, and finally, painting.
Preparation
First, find a clean location. An ideal place to paint the car should have:
♦ Enough room for the car and for you to move around
♦ No trees with shedding leaves or falling twigs (in case you do the work outdoor)
♦ No objects lying on the ground, which you may trip over
♦ No dust that can get into the fresh paint making the car surface uneven
♦ Enough light to look at your work and the paint color you’ve applied
♦ Good ventilation to filter out chemical and harmful vapor
Another thing to consider is when you should do your work. Daytime when the weather is not humid or rainy is the best because the paint can dry more quickly and there is more sunlight.
Be sure to clean the car with a pressure washer or by hand to remove any rust and dirt to ensure you have a clean exterior to work on.
Strip Old Paint
To strip away the old paint, sand the surface in a large and quick circular motion with a 220-grit sanding paper or a chemical stripper. This step is required to allow the paint to stick to the car and produce an even layer.
It is best to sand the car until you reach the bare metal. Use thinner then wash it off after sanding to remove any debris left on the car.
It helps to divide the car into separate parts to work on individually. However, if you prefer you can just paint the entire car. Please note that doing so will take hours to complete, so start your task early rather than later in the day.
Apply the Primer
This step should not be skipped as the primer layer allows the finishing paint to dry evenly and adhere to the metal. Your first step is to cover all areas you won’t be painting with tape, plastic sheets or newspaper. Covering the windshield, back glass, mirrors, and lights is essential.
Pour the amount or primer recommended by the manufacturer into the 20-ounce cup sprayer, and mix with thinner if needed. The typical amount is 1 gallon for small cars and about 1.5 gallons otherwise.
It is advised to spray the primer from the roof and work down to lower parts because the primer will drip. This way you produce a smoother layer. Sand and use wax to remove any primer drops and dust before moving on to the main step.
Paint your Car
Before you paint, check if the paint needs to be mixed with thinner. Also, check the color code if you want to repaint the car in its original color. Read all paint sprayer instructions to insure proper use. An oil-free compressor is preferred for use with the sprayer to insure your paint application isn’t marred by oil.
Next, prepare a 20-ounce cup for body painting, and 4-ounce cup for detail painting.
Apply the paint with a steady motion. Any clumsy action on your part while handling the sprayer will result in a less than desirable outcome. Once again you should spray from the top down. The estimated amount of finish paint is 3 gallons for small cars and 4 gallons for larger ones, divided into 3-4 coats.
Here is where your patience is put to the test. Wait about 1 hour between the layers to cure the paint. After the final coat of paint you must wait at least 24 hours before moving the car. It would be touch-dry by then, enough for you to sand off any excess particles with 1200-2000 grit sandpapers.
The spray paint should be fully cured in about a week. It’s best to leave the car where you paint it to avoid unwanted particles of dirt adhering to your new paint job.
Your final step is to add a clear coat lacquer (2 gallons for small cars and 3-4 gallons for larger ones). Use mechanical buffer in circular motions to attain a shining finishing touch. You can also sand and rinse the car again to wash off any debris.
Which Types of Spray Paint for Cars You Should Use?
Just as the investment in a paint sprayer for cars, the paint itself should be in high quality so that it won’t be easily cracked and peeled.
When painting the whole car (body paint), you should consider an anti-rust and protection from other elements paint. Most of these paints are made for paint sprayers.
When fixing minor scratch or dent on the car paint cover, there are paints come in pen tube shape as well as those used for spray guns. The first offers convenience while the latter results in more even finish.
Two auto paints you often come across are urethane and acrylic. Urethane paint is the most common choice when decorating vehicles with paint sprayers. It is a solvent-based paint that needs a coat applied on the base, but there are several reasons why it is the top choice.
The paint is more durable and easily touched up. Besides, it comes in various choices of color and creates a matte surface with different gradations of color. However, it is one of the most dangerous chemical paint and easily scratched.
On the other hand, acrylic paint, the second best choice, is water-based, and thus less toxic. Used with the right clear coat, it produces the same result and is proofed against water or tear just as urethane, but takes longer to dry (48 hours) and cured.
What Protective Equipment Should You Have When Using Paint Sprayer for Cars?
When working with automobile paint, there are several exhaust hazards, especially in urethane paints. The harmful chemical can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, allergy, and even affect your internal organ and nervous system in the long term.
Face Mask
A full-face respiratory mask is highly recommended for projects with urethane paint, while a more lightweight option like half-face can protect you against water-based paint chemical.
Make sure to install the cartridge or filter that can purify the airborne particle of the applied paint. And it should be changed on schedule to have full effect.
The mask should also have flexible but durable straps for comfort and secured position as you will wear the mask the whole time painting.
Protective Suit
Wearing coveralls is important as spray paint can produce small particles that fly through the air and attach to uncovered skin, potentially causing irritation. The best type to get is one with waterproof hood. Get one that fits with elastic cuffs and is comfortable when you move around.
Gloves and Goggles
Use tight nitrile rubber gloves to protect your arms from paint splash and debris, and avoid leaving your fingerprints on the car when cleaning. Gloves with fingertips texture provide better grip of the paint sprayer and other tools.
Lastly, put on a pair of goggles with an elastic strap after wearing the mask to create a tighter seal around your face and nose. This eyewear is advised if you don’t wear hood coverall or full-face respirator.
Conclusion
After purchasing the best paint sprayer for cars that have a compressor with appropriate CFM and PSI, you should pay attention to the type of paint, spraying technique, pre-painting cleaning, and sanding, as well as the time it needs for the paint to completely dry and adhere to the car.
Furthermore, to get a satisfactory result, safety precautions, patience, and details are important things to acquire in any DIY jobs, including putting a new look on your precious vehicle.
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