Preparing a car for paintwork is the most important step before the actual process of painting.
This is because the end result will hugely depend on the preparation and the way you paint it.
It is said that around 90% of the time is spent in preparations while just 10% is spent on painting.
If you rush through the preparations your car will look like a mess. So to get results like a professional auto repair specialist, knowing the proper technique is important.
8 Steps to Prepare Your Car for Painting
1. Declutter
Removing everything on the car’s body is vital for a quality painting job. Remove the items like emblems, non-painted parts, antennas, door handles or other items which you don’t wish to paint.
2. Washing
Wash your car before you start with the painting to get rid of the dirt and dust.
Wash through each crevices thoroughly. This is because dirt can blow out with a pressure of the air gun and get mixed with the paint.
Then let it dry completely before you start with anything else.
3. Wipe it Clean
Use a wax and grease remover to wipe your car clean.
The remover should be wax, oil or silicone free. This process should be done after washing and before you apply the primer.
4. Check Surface Quality
Check the quality of the surface you wish to paint. Paint cannot cover the flaws of your car but it will make them more visible.
Scratches, dents, or rock chips look even worse if painted.
To prevent them from being more evident, the surface should be feather edged.
Feathering is a process in which the chips and scratches are sanded to such an extent that you don’t feel them with your hand. Pull out the dents to ensure a smooth and flat surface.
5. Sanding
A common question which many people ask is ‘what grit sandpaper to use before painting a car?’
To paint a car that has a good coat of old paint, you will need to sand it with a soft 500-grit Scotch-Brite pad.
This will give the car a good rough surface for the new painting job. Using a 220-grit or 320-grit sandpaper also gives a good surface for painting.
Sanding with more than 500-grit will make the surface smoother and it will not hold the paint.
6. Removing Rust
Even the smallest amount of rust can spread and damage the complete paint.
Remove it immediately by sanding in case of light rust or by using spray-on rust killers in case of a severely rusted surface.
The rust killers should be left for 48 hours before you begin painting.
7. Tape and Masking
Using an automotive tape or painters masking will make a huge difference in the final result.
Newspapers can leave ink marks on the glass and metal and so using them is a strict no-no.
If you want your painting job to look neat and tidy, invest in automotive tape or masking.
#DIYTIP
Avoid use of oil, silicone or grease near your car prior to painting.
8. Applying Primer
Apply two to three coats of primer on the entire car once you finish with sanding.
Ensure the place is well ventilated and you wear a face paper mask.
Once the primer dries up, block sand the car.
Block sanding is using a different color primer over the existing primer coat. This process will help reveal low spots.
Can You Paint Over Old Paint on a Car?
This question concerns many people and the answer depends on the quality of your existing paint.
If you have a bad paint that is peeling over or has scratches or cracks, then you will need to remove it entirely.
On the other hand, If you paint over the old paint, the existing issues will be more prominent.
If the old paint is in a good shape, then you can paint over it.
If you’re looking for painting or any automotive repair in Doylestown, call A&G Customs on 215 669 3072 now. They are auto repair professionals that you can trust and rely on.