I need to repaint my car...and i want to paint it a dull black and have hardly any reflection on it and then put on about 7 layers of clear coat for a little bit of shine...what all do i need to do so i can paint it myself. i know sand paper, but what grit should i use...one kind or several kinds, how far do i sand down, i know not to the metal, but there shouldn't be a shine on the old paint either, and then how do i clean off the excess paint...the dust to prep it for the paint, and since it will be a dull black, do i need to primer it? and i know black is a killer color for looks, yet it shows every flaw...but it is a risk i'm going to take!

 

i think you NEED primer, haven't had any painting experience, but i think you shouldn't do it on your own..... you could probably go to maaco or something and get a really cheap paint job for a couple hundred dollars, it'll probably look a lot better too.

 

if you want to paint it flat black, why would you put 7 layers of clear, unless it's a satin clear. and if you paint it flat black it actually hide's the flaw's. I know that because my car is flat black.

 

Hey man, if your going to take the time to even paint the car i would do as much research as possiable on what to look for and what steps and procedure to do. Especially to do it right. They sell very educational books on painting. I would highly recomend getting one and reading up on it. I did this before i preped my motorcycle to take to the paint shop. It was a life saver. Plus you learn alot.

The reason i recomend this is because there is so many different ways to paint and everyone has there own opinion. Some are better than others but until you draw your own opinion and make it work you will be confused as ****. Or if you have someone who has painted before to help would probably be just as good as getting one of these books.

But you more than likely want to wet sand the car with a 400 grit paper. And clean it with some type of cleaner or prep. SEC sells good products. This is what i was told by my painter. Good luck hope everything works out.

 

you wanna try and sand down to the original primer or at least try to keep it down to the same even layer throughout the car.you might wanna start out with a thicker paper grain but finish it off and shape it out with 400 wet.spray 2 thin coats of primer then the amount of paint coats is up to you along with the clear coat.just make sure when you spray your in a clean environment with no chemicals or cleaners in the air, otherwise youll end up with a ****load of fisheyes.have fun its gonna take you awhile and beware of those dreaded runs.if runs appear sand em out and respray that section.let us know how it comes out

 

Um....DO NOT sand down to primer unless your car needs body work and the current paint is in poor condition (eg: paint is delaminating [which it wouldn't unless your car has been poorly painted, or you got into an accident], etc.)

if you want to paint your car in a satin finish....not with automotive grade paint (you CAN paint a car with automotive paint and achieve a duller, satin finish), but with rattle cans, then purchase about 8 cans of color, and 4 cans of satin clear. As stated earlier, DO NOT grind or sand your paint down, professional painters prep the surface by 'scuffing' the surface, which is done by a scotchbrite or 600+ grit sandpaper. If you do grind the paint down, you're creating 200-300 hours of work for yourself. Wash your car thoroughly, i'd suggest using a mildly abrasive soap (ie: dishwasher soap) to clean as much off as possible, some even go to the lengths of using ajax. Dry your car, then scuff the surface with 600 grit or a grey scotchbrite (you want to remove all of the shiny surface). Reclean. You should use a primer, but i wouldnt...the job won't last long either way...If you do use a primer, spray light coats until full coverage...same applies to color...spray your color VERY lightly, many many light coats (around 8-15). Let dry, then spray clear....with clear, spray thick, heavy coats (don't promote runs). Done. =D

I work at body shop, btw.

-John

 

i also work in an auto body shop.i figured the reason for his repaint was poor quality of the original paint( severe oxidation and chipping etc)thats why i had mentioned sanding down to primer cause in that case would most likely be last solid layer.but pinoybboy is right about scuffing with scotchbrite pads especialyly if the original paint isnt in that bad of shape.thanks for clearin that up for me pinoybboy

 

well SIL40Drift, we're one in the same =D.

Come to think of it...

IF ANYONE NEEDS A REPAINT, BODY WORK, CUSTOM STYLING (which includes car stereos, fiberglass work, kit molding, wide bodies, etc.) in the state of Washington, come to me! I'm a cheap worker.

-John