Automobile DIY Spray Painting Tutorial?
3 Answers
Automobile DIY spray painting tutorial is divided into the following ten steps: 1. First, clean the car body with water. 2. Use a sanding block to flatten the sandpaper, then wet sand the edges of the scratch. Sand until the edges are smooth and the transition from the paint surface to the primer is gradual. 3. Pour the filler onto a spreader and apply it evenly over the scratch surface. The filler should be slightly higher than the paint surface. After application, wait for the filler to dry completely. 4. Once the filler is dry, use sandpaper with some water to sand the filler. Sand until the filler surface is flush with the paint surface, and there are no edges when touched, making it smooth. Clean and dry the area before proceeding to the next step. 5. Before spraying paint, mask off important components around the scratch. 6. After masking, you can start spraying paint. For plastic parts, it is recommended to apply a primer first to enhance the adhesion of the spray paint on the plastic. 7. When spraying the color paint, pay attention to the spraying technique. Wait 3-5 minutes between each layer, then apply the next layer. Repeat the process multiple times until the scratch and filler are completely covered, and the color matches the surrounding paint. 8. Wait for 20 minutes for the color paint to dry, then use a scratch repair agent to sand the color paint. After sanding, prepare for the next step. 9. Spray 2-3 layers of blending clear coat at the junction between the new paint and the original car paint to make the transition more natural. 10. Finally, spray clear coat to make the paint surface look more glossy. Apply multiple layers of clear coat, with a half-minute interval between each layer. Once done, the entire spray painting process is complete.
My last experience using a spray can to touch up door scratches was such a hassle! After gathering all the necessary tools—sandpaper, putty, filler, spray paint, and clear coat—I had to thoroughly grind off all the rust. Remember to sand the edges of the scratch into a slope shape to make the repair less noticeable; this step alone took me a full two hours. The filler must be completely dry before sanding, and it’s best to do this on a sunny day to avoid bubbling. The key to spraying is maintaining a steady 30 cm distance and moving evenly, letting each layer dry before applying the next. My first attempt ended in disaster because I sprayed too thickly, causing runs, and had to re-sand and respray. The most exhausting part was the final sanding and polishing—it took me forty minutes just to polish an area the size of a fingernail. If you don’t have extreme patience, I wouldn’t recommend DIY. Small areas are fine for fun, but for larger areas, it’s much easier to leave it to a professional paint shop.
As a seasoned car model enthusiast, I genuinely believe that full-body spray painting is a highly technical task. Before using the spray can, you must shake it vigorously for three minutes to ensure the paint is thoroughly mixed—this is a lesson learned through blood and tears. The spraying environment is particularly crucial; choose a windless day with humidity below 60%, and thoroughly water your garage floor to reduce dust. Keep the nozzle perpendicular and move at a steady speed, applying 6-8 thin coats with 10-minute intervals between each for optimal results. Make sure the paint is completely dry before applying the clear protective coat, and maintain a greater spraying distance. Always wear protective clothing and a 3M mask—last time I forgot my goggles and ended up with red eyes for three days.
