This article has been viewed 60,506 times. Once the car’s clean, cover the areas you don’t want to get paint on with masking tape. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A thin base coat may be all you need if you’re just doing some touching up. Then, wipe away the debris left over from sanding with a clean, wet rag. In some ways, it’s more of a glue or sealant than a paint. ... Time to prime! Exact drying times will vary depending on the product used and how heavily you apply each coat. Be sure to read the specifications on the product you’re using—it could end up saving you a lot of time. If you’re painting one of the car’s back panels, for example, you’d want to make sure the rear wheel, trunk, and windows are all sealed off. The laminate must be in good condition for best results. Allow plenty of time for filler to dry and set. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 60,506 times. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If it's super noticeable or your clear coat layer just doesn't look right, you're going to need to redo it, though. If you're dealing with a super small chip from a pebble or something like that, totally. Thanks! It's the last step in this process. I put 20 coats of clear coat on it and it turned out great. What is gesso? 3. Make sure it is actually set to spray and that the unit is on level ground. For previously painted water-based paint, sand with a fine-grit sandpaper. Paint peeling off caulking is a compatibility issue. Tip: It’s also possible to remove dents using a variety of common household items, including plungers, hair dryers and warm water. It is made from a combination of paint pigment, chalk and binder. Latex paint and oil-based paint expand and contract at two different rates. Caulk gaps and spot prime. Whether you’re touching up a couple scratches or looking at a whole new paint job, there are a few important steps to take before you can begin painting a car. If you’re working with new walls, or if you’ve patched any holes before you start, you’ll also need to prime. Starting and stopping in the middle of the furniture may lead to lap marks and drips. Let’s face it, paint is expensive. This is one of the most time-consuming steps in preparing a car for paint, so be patient and don’t rush. ", nice to have a list of items needed to complete the job. This article was co-authored by Angel Ricardo. If you don’t find any glaring differences in texture, you can skip straight to applying your next coat of primer. Paint thinner and automotive primer give off powerful fumes that could make you lightheaded if applied in an enclosed space. It may also be a good idea to move your vehicle outside or park it on top of a dropcloth to prevent making a mess in your work area. Guides. Angel Ricardo. Primer is very valuable in most cases, but if you’re completing a very small repair involving minimal molestation of … Apply primer if painting over oil-based paint so that you can switch to latex, if desired. Leave it on Prime. Make sure the block you’re using is no more than about 1,200-grit. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Make sure you use enough putty to fill in each damaged spot completely. What we are going to do is cycle paint through the pump and then through the line. Choose a high-quality paint. Switch it to "prime." Not only that, priming the canvas helps to make your painting last longer and look better. Expert Interview. A block sander can make smoothing large areas easier and more comfortable. If you proceed without cleaning your vehicle, you could end up with small particles trapped in the fresh paint. Last Updated: December 11, 2020 1 October 2019. Spray paint has an image problem. OK so we are going to plug in the sprayer. In certain places, like the hood, trunk, and rear panels, it may be possible to pound out dents from the inside of the body using a hammer and dolly. To deal with smaller imperfections like pinholes, try a glazing putty. After you’ve protected those areas, apply a base coat of automotive primer using a paint sprayer to help the paint adhere. How to Properly Prime a Paint Sprayer Step 1: Pressure Relief Proper setup is important to keep the machine in an efficient working condition. X There are a few cases in which you will always need to prime before you paint. You can touch up something small like that. Without primer, the repaired area would soak up multiple coats of paint. Step 4: Ready to Prime When it’s time to prime cabinets before painting, knowing your surface can go a long way. Some body filler materials double as primers, which means you can paint right over them as soon as they’ve cured. You should also prime if … Previous Coat Is Glossy Glossy base coats do not hold paint well. [16] {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Prep-a-Car-for-Paint-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prep-a-Car-for-Paint-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Prep-a-Car-for-Paint-Step-1.jpg\/aid10606863-v4-728px-Prep-a-Car-for-Paint-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"