What is the basic process of car painting?
2 Answers
The basic process of car painting is as follows: 1. First, clean the sheet metal area and sand it with 60# or 80# sandpaper. 2. Next, apply body filler (bondo), let it dry, and then sand it. This step is the most time-consuming and crucial, usually requiring several rounds of application and sanding, using 120#, 240#, 360#, and 600# wet sandpaper. 3. Apply glazing putty to cover sandpaper marks and pores on the body filler, then sand with 1000# or 1200# wet sandpaper. 4. Wash the car, use an air gun to dry the area to be painted, and mask off non-painting areas with newspaper. 5. Finally, proceed with the painting directly.
I've done the painting job myself a few times. First, thoroughly wash the car to remove all dirt, grease, and old paint layers, especially sanding smooth to ensure no rust spots. Then apply the primer, which protects the metal surface and helps the new paint adhere, waiting for it to dry completely, which may take several hours. After that, spray the topcoat, using a spray gun to apply one or more layers evenly, adjusting the pressure and distance to avoid drips. Painting must be done in a clean space to prevent dust from getting in and forming bubbles. After completion, let it dry naturally or lightly bake it, then polish the surface to make it shiny. The whole process is labor-intensive, but DIY can save money and teach skills. Remember to wear a mask to protect against toxic fumes and protect your eyes.
