Automotive painting at home. Car painting technology: step by step procedure.

Even the most thorough car paintwork care does not guarantee against minor damage. AT certain cases helps However, this option is valid for the time being. Minor defects, as well as the results of unsuccessful maneuvers, many car owners prefer to fix on their own, without involving specialists from a paint shop.

Before you spray paint a car at home, it's a good idea to consider the practical component of the process. The technique of local restoration of the paintwork of the car body has a number of undeniable advantages:

• The technology of work does not require high qualifications.
• Varnish from an aerosol can is applied without problems to the most inaccessible places.
• There is no need for special equipment in the form of a compressor and spray gun.
• A high-quality coating is obtained even in the absence of practical experience and the cheapness of the method of restoring the paintwork.

We must not forget that there are times when the declared color may differ from the real one, so it is better to correctly calculate and purchase the required amount of paint in advance.

Technology: how to paint a car with an aerosol can at home without much effort?

If, upon inspection of the coating, it is found that the damage to the paint layer has reached the primer or, moreover, to the metal, then local touch-up is indispensable. It is worth noting the fact that the repair of the paintwork in these cases should be done as soon as possible. The corrosion process goes almost imperceptibly until the defect manifests itself in a larger volume, forming a rust center.

We prepare materials

Motorists who are interested in the question of how to paint a car from a spray can themselves should understand that the absence of the need for a compressor and spray gun does not mean that only paint is needed for work. You may not need some components, but having them on hand is still more convenient:

• Sandpaper.
• Degreaser, anti-silicone.
• Putty and primer.
• Aerosol with paint of the desired color.
• A bottle of polymer varnish.
• PET film or newspapers.

Anti-silicone can be replaced with alcohol-containing components. Do not forget about the respirator and overalls.

Body preparation

Thoroughly wash the car body with detergents and allow it to dry. Next, we proceed to work with the damaged area:

• Degrease the surface with two napkins, soak one with a solvent and wipe the entire area of ​​​​the planned work. The second wipe dry this place dry.
• If rust is present, remove with sandpaper or chemical converters.
• Limit the work area with masking tape and PET film or paper.
• Treat the area with a primer, you can use the mixture in an aerosol can as it.
• Let the primer dry for 25-30 minutes and putty the defective area.
• After the putty has dried (20-30 minutes), sand it with P350 - P400 sandpaper until the body geometry is restored. Finishing is carried out with abrasive P600 - P1000.
• In places of transition to the old varnish, the borders must be matted with P1200 sandpaper.
• Degrease the repair plane with two napkins.

Car enthusiasts who already know how to spray paint their own car at home are advised to use a flat-shaped wooden block to secure the sandpaper.

Important! Preparation of the site for painting should cover a fairly large area relative to the repair area in order to further polish the transition space.

Some nuances

Process complete more or less clear to most motorists. Partial painting of a car should take into account the spray area, it should not exceed the pre-treated area. It is necessary to observe that the sprayed paint lies exactly along the border of the matte surface. There are a few more important points:

• An aerosol can with paint or primer should be shaken for 2-3 minutes before use.
• Preliminarily make a control painting on any unnecessary part.
• Work must be carried out in a clean and ventilated area where the air temperature is at least 20°C.
• To optimize the drying process, you can use a building hair dryer.

The main stages: how to paint and varnish a car from a spray can in garage conditions?

The technology of spray painting a car is not particularly difficult. The enamel can is sprayed from a distance of 250-300 mm, the number of layers is two or three. Each layer needs to be thoroughly dried for 15-20 minutes. Thus, painting activities can be divided into several stages:

• Before you paint the car yourself from an aerosol can, you need to shake it thoroughly for 2-3 minutes and apply the first layer. The last layer dries for 30-40 minutes.
• After applying two or three layers of paint and control drying, a transparent varnish is applied. The technology is similar to that when working with enamel - the varnish is applied in 2-3 layers.
• In the final stage, it is necessary to blur the boundaries of the transition between the old and fresh coatings using an aerosol solvent. Only the transition zone should be blasted.

Polishing or processing transitions

There are two methods of polishing: abrasive and protective. The mechanism of the first method is to eliminate the unevenness of a thin layer of varnish with a thickness of 2-4 microns due to fine abrasive particles contained in the paste-like material. The average thickness of the varnish is 35-40 microns, so it can withstand 5-7 abrasive treatments without damaging the paint.

Protective polishing is the final stage after painting. Here the micro-scratches left after the abrasive are removed and a thin protective layer is created. Both methods are also applicable after plastic car paint and metal. Auto cosmetics manufacturers offer two types of protective polish

1. Wax based, lasts 5-6 washes.
2. On a teflon basis, maintains 10-12 washes.

Pastes based on UV-20 and Teflon are more expensive, but durable and effectively protect the varnish from acids, alkalis and ultraviolet rays.

The polishing material is applied to the body in a small amount, after which the polish is rubbed with a suede cloth. A uniform layer is kept for 3-5 minutes, during which it dries and acquires a light matte color. Motorists who thoroughly know how to paint a car with an aerosol can at home prefer to use a polishing machine. At the same time, they recommend experimentally setting the disk rotation speed and taking short breaks in work, preventing overheating of the paintwork.

If the paint has a dark color, then sanding should begin with P2500 sandpaper. Next, slightly wetting the plane of the body and the pad of the polishing wheel, apply the paste and rub over the area at about 1000 rpm. Then increase the speed to 1500 and bring the paintwork to a glossy shine. Periodically, the paste should be moistened, but carefully so as not to splash adjacent areas of the body.

conclusions

The technique of local painting of damaged areas of the car body using an aerosol can saves time and paintwork materials. In addition, it becomes possible to keep the factory coating on most of the car. The technology is simple and accessible to implementation even by inexperienced motorists; in just a few hours, without special equipment, the paintwork is restored.

During the operation of the vehicle, appearance may noticeably deteriorate, the paintwork will darken, and in some places chips and scuffs may appear. This is primarily due to the influence of negative factors on it. environment, the influence of ultraviolet radiation and a sharp temperature drop, as well as the aggressive effects of chemical road reagents and gravel flying out from under the wheels.

Re-painting will help improve the appearance of the car, and in some cases, bodywork will additionally need to be done before painting work.

Painting a car is not a cheap pleasure, so many car owners arm themselves with a spray gun and decide to do all the work on their own. In the process, it is necessary to follow the technology of applying paint and be sure to pre-train on an unnecessary part.

So you can not only adjust the spray gun, but also evaluate the quality of the paint and fill your hand a little. You need to follow some tips from experienced car painters:

1. You can not save on paint, it is better to use materials only from a trusted manufacturer.
2. Painting with a brush leaves stains, so it is better to work with an airbrush.
3. Before starting work, check the spray gun and practice a little to apply the coloring composition to any metal surface.

The quality of the coating will be influenced by many factors. Here are the main ones:

• If you perform work in an unprepared room, there is a risk of defects in the unpainted surface. Under the influence of dust and dirt, the paint will lie unevenly and the car will have to be repainted.
• The quality of the resulting coating is strongly influenced by the cleanliness of the surface to be painted and its preparation (including degreasing).
• Has the body been repaired correctly?
• Was the coloring mixture well prepared (proportions were maintained when adding components to the mixture).

It is recommended to carry out work in a specially equipped spray booth. But many motorists do it in a garage converted into a workshop. Before performing work, you need to read the information on how to paint a car at home.

How to paint a car at home

First vehicle rinses well and dries well. This is necessary in order to evaluate the appearance of the car and detect coating defects. Some parts can be dismantled to make it more convenient to work and there was no need to protect them with plastic wrap (these are optics, a radiator grille, etc.), but you can work without dismantling.

Defects are best detected under good vehicle lighting, and immediately after detection, they must be carefully cleaned with sandpaper of different grain sizes. You can use a grinder or a drill with special nozzles to remove the old paintwork, this will significantly save the time and effort of the master.

When working with sandpaper, you need to periodically moisten the surface and check the transitions. After polishing is completed, the body is cleaned with a soft cloth and degreased.

Puttying defects and priming the surface

The putty mixture must be carefully mixed with the hardener. in this case, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the material manufacturer. You need to work with a spatula, on which a small amount of the mixture is superimposed. It is necessary to close up scratches both along and across so that the defect is completely filled with putty mixture.

It will usually be necessary to apply several even layers of putty to get a smooth surface. At the same time, each of them must be given enough time to dry completely and only after that apply the next layer.

After drying, the surface is polished with sandpaper with a gradual decrease in the grain of the abrasive until the moment when the body acquires its geometry. Before that, the surface is checked for drying - if, after rubbing the place with sandpaper, there is no adhering mixture on it, then the putty has dried up.

At the same time, it should crumble with fine dust. It is better to work without the use of water, as this can lead to the fact that the properties of the putty deteriorate noticeably. Masters recommend using finishing putty to repair defects - it is fine-grained, so working with it is very simple and convenient.

Sometimes a few minutes after kneading the mixture, lumps appear in it. This is a signal that the putty can no longer be used and it is better to prepare a new one.

Then, after degreasing, a primer can be applied in a thin layer from an aerosol can to the surface. If defects are found, they must be eliminated immediately and proceed to the next stage of work. Before painting, all non-paintable surfaces must be protected with masking tape and polyethylene.

In this case, it is necessary not to forget about the boundaries of the parts that will be painted and non-painted surfaces. Painting work will be successful if the room for them is carefully prepared and cleaned of dirt and dust.

Next stage

To avoid defects and paint peeling, experienced craftsmen recommend painting the car and using materials exclusively from one manufacturer in the process of preparing it.

Material rejection can occur because different manufacturers add different chemical substances in paint products. Usually, defects will be immediately visible on the applied paintwork, at best, such a coating will last a little, but soon it will completely lose all its performance and the vehicle will have to be repainted.

Using materials from one manufacturer will protect against this.

Non-paintable body parts are protected with masking tape, while observing the boundaries between the painted parts and those parts that are not painted. It is best to place such boundaries along the boundaries of individual elements of the vehicle body.

Just in case, the body is re-cleaned of dust and degreased. Do not get carried away with a degreaser, because its abundance can lead to a softening of the primer layer, it will become unusable and all preparatory work will need to be done again.

room for painting work must be chosen very carefully. It should be spacious for ease of work, clean and dust-free. It is also necessary to equip a ventilation system in it, since the fumes of paint and varnish materials are very toxic.

Choose paint according to taste preferences owner, while also paying attention to its chemical composition and quality. Mobichel paint is well suited for work.

Paint application

Before starting work, you need to make sure that the spray gun and compressor are in good condition. The paint is mixed in a special container, while it is necessary to strictly adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations and not violate the proportions.

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of solvent, it should be selected only after consultation with the seller (too fast or vice versa long evaporation can lead to the formation of defects on the only applied paintwork).

Then the prepared paint must be filtered through a filter or through an ordinary nylon stocking, and only after that it is allowed to be poured into the container of the spray gun. It is best to start painting the car from the roof and gradually go down.

The spray gun must be at least 25 cm away from the surface to be painted (the distance must be carefully monitored - the paint should not splatter and form smudges on the surface). Before starting work, the pressure of the spray gun can be adjusted by painting an unnecessary part of the body.

You need to work smoothly, do not try to apply all the paint at once. Each stripe of paint should overlap the previous one by about half, it is recommended to dry the applied layer thoroughly and only then apply the next one.

The color will fully appear only after a day, it is forbidden to operate the car and wash it at this time, the paint must dry. All defects that may appear on the surface are recommended to be removed only after the car has dried.

Small pebbles can be removed by careful polishing, more serious flaws will require removal of the applied coating, all preparatory work and re-painting on the car body. There are several types of drying a freshly painted vehicle:

1. In a special chamber under the influence of high temperature.
2. Drying under the influence of ultraviolet light.
3. Under the influence of infrared radiation.

It is not recommended to force-dry the parts using a hair dryer; acrylic paints and enamels dry well even at room temperature.

When painting, you must follow these rules:

• You need to work in a well-ventilated garage and wear a respirator.
• The air compressor must be located outside the room in which the painting work is carried out.
• It is forbidden to smoke in the room where the paint is applied.

Then you can apply varnish over the paint and polish the car to a shine.

Sometimes it happens that a purchased car is so hard on the eye with its color that you want to sell it and buy a car in a different “color”. Of course, this is a cardinal option that requires a lot of money, time and spent nerves. Another option when a car needs a complete repaint is an outdated or heavily damaged paintwork. To repaint your own car, you can go in two ways: entrust this matter to professionals, or try to give your “iron horse” a new color yourself. Suppose that you have a catastrophic lack of money for painting a car from specialists. Then there is only one option - to paint the car yourself. Today we will talk about how to do it efficiently, so that the new color of your vehicle will please not only you, but also those around you.

Before proceeding with the procedure for painting a car, you need to know that a radical change in the color of the vehicle will entail a change in the vehicle registration certificate: after all, your car is written in the registration certificate, for example, white, and after painting it will turn yellow. The new color must be included in the new document, which means that a trip to the MREO for re-registration cannot be avoided.

In general, it is better to notify law enforcement officers in advance that you are going to change the “color” of your “iron horse” and find out what will need to be done so that all your art is legalized. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this procedure. Within five days after repainting the car, you should appear at the MREO with documents (passport of a citizen of Russia, driver's license, vehicle registration certificate, policy, vehicle passport, power of attorney). At the MREO, you fill out a special form (they will tell you which one), in which you state the essence (registration of a change in the color of the vehicle), then take a receipt and pay the state fee. If your car is less than three years old (for domestic cars) or fifteen years old (for cars foreign production), you will have to visit the Vehicle Tracing Department and get a certificate there that the vehicle is not listed as stolen. After passing the inspection at a special MREO site, where everyone usually passes, you need to submit all documents (including a certificate from the MREO employee on the results of the inspection) to obtain a new registration certificate. After the issuance of this document, we go to insurance company and re-execute OSAGO and CASCO contracts (if any).

But all these operations will need to be done after you paint your car. It is clear that the painting of the car body is not carried out using ordinary paint, so you will have to visit the car shop of the color you like (you need to take one that would dry without baking), buy a spray gun, a respirator, gloves, sandpaper (from No. 60 to No. 1200), spatulas, autofiller, primer.

Having collected all this stuff, we begin the coloring, which will take place in five stages. We drive the car into a bright, well-ventilated room, with a constantly maintained temperature (no more than 20 degrees) - a hangar is best. It is impossible to carry out painting on the street, there are many factors that can interfere with the quality application of paint.

First you need to thoroughly wash the surface of the car body with warm water and car shampoo, remove all bituminous and other contaminants (here you can use white spirit).

After washing the car, we proceed to dismantle the front and rear bumpers, radiator grille, headlights and taillights, fog lights, direction indicators (we paint them separately). We wash the flanging of the wings of the wheel openings from the dirt accumulated there during the operation. All parts removed from the car that will also be painted - bumpers, mudguards, radiator grille (if it is not chrome plated), roof rails - are also thoroughly washed, cleaned from corrosion pockets, dried and set aside for the time being, for the time being.

Stage number 2. Body cleaning.

When the car body is freed from “extra” parts, we carefully examine its surface and determine the places that were prone to “injuries” (for example, cracks, scratches, dents). We mark these places with special acrylic paint or chalk. After that, we again carefully inspect the body for missed foci damaged by rust, and also mark them with paint. We proceed to the next operation - we clean the marked places with the help of previously purchased sandpaper.

Defective places need to be processed to metal, so you have to sweat. To do this, we use sandpaper with different "grain" from No. 60 to No. 100. In this case, delicacy is needed, since abrupt transitions from the affected area to the place where the paintwork is in good condition should not be allowed. To prevent this, you need to check the treated areas with your hand from time to time - the skin of human fingers is so sensitive that it can catch the smallest transitions on the surface. After cleaning the defective places and checking the levels of transitions, we clean them of dust, rinse with white spirit and let them dry thoroughly.

If the paintwork is so old or damaged that it makes no sense to leave it, then you will have to completely remove it from the surface of the car body. For this, a grinder is suitable for several types of chisels, with which it will be possible to remove the entire layer of old paint to the metal.

Stage number 3. Leveling putty.

This stage is one of the most difficult and important, since the quality of applying paint to the car body will depend on the correctly performed putty procedure. We recommend using a finishing automotive putty made on a synthetic basis with a fine-grained substance, as well as special rubber spatulas (you will need several of them, with different widths of the working “blade”, since it will be necessary to putty surfaces of different widths).

Before applying putty to the treated surfaces, you need to bring it into working condition. To do this, we take the required amount of putty itself (depending on the surface area, the amount can be different - from one to several tablespoons) and a hardener (comes with putty). Everything in the right proportions (they are marked on the packaging of the putty) is thoroughly mixed for half a minute and immediately proceed to apply the resulting mixture to the cleaned areas (if only treated areas are putty) or to certain surfaces of the body. Apply the putty with quick but gentle movements in a criss-cross pattern with a 90-degree twist in both directions. The speed when applying putty is needed so that the prepared mixture does not harden. You will know that hardening has begun if you notice lumps in the mixture - in this case, the process of applying putty must be stopped and prepared new material. After applying the material to a certain place, let it dry for half an hour. You can find out whether the putty layer has hardened by running sandpaper over the treated area (No. 80 is best for this) - if the putty sticks to the paper and comes off in pieces, then you still need to wait.

After the putty has completely dried, we carefully level the surface “cured” of the defect, bringing it to the same level with the whole paint and varnish coating. If we apply putty on a body with a completely removed paintwork, then we constantly need to monitor that the material lays down in an even layer, without violating the geometric integrity of the body. It is necessary to check the evenness of the putty layer both with a special tool and by hand. In this case, it is recommended to use a set of sandpaper with a level of No. 120 and up to No. 600. In no case do not moisten the treated areas with water - it can be absorbed into the putty and cause the layer to swell. When the putty layer dries, you need to process it with a rag, which is pre-moistened in white spirit. After drying the putty, we proceed to the primer, which must be applied in a thin layer with a small seizure of untreated areas (in case individual sections of the old paintwork were processed). The primer has a good property to show all the defects of the putty process, which helps to correct these shortcomings as long as the paint has not yet been applied.

Stage number 4. Preparing for painting.

The preliminary stage has been passed, now it is necessary to prepare the car body for direct painting. To do this, you need to make sure that dust does not settle on the body treated with putty, if this happens, wipe the surface. Then you need to seal all surfaces on which paint will not be applied with adhesive tape, and also “wrap” the wheels with a protective film.

After that, we take sandpaper No. 1200 and begin to process the surface prepared for painting with it until it becomes matte. Next - again cleaning the body from accumulated dust with a rag soaked in white spirit.

Stage number 5. Body coloring.

And now we come to the most important stage - applying paint to the prepared surface. It is necessary to dilute the paint purchased in advance with a solvent, observing its consistency. Experienced car painters are advised to measure the thickness of the paint like this: take a nail and dip it into the paint, then take it out and count the time it takes for it to drain from the tip of the nail. Density is considered normal, at which 3-4 drops per second fall from a nail of paint. Having made the solution of the desired density, pour it into the socket of the spray gun through the filter (you can use a lady's stocking). The atomizer should have a nozzle No. 1.4, and the pressure in the atomizer should be at the level of 2.5 - 3 atmospheres.

You need to start painting the body from the roof, moving on to the racks, doors, and then the hood and trunk lids, and finally the wings. It is necessary to apply paint by placing the nozzle of the spray gun at a distance of 15-25 cm from the surface to be painted, drive the nozzle up and down. Apply paint to the body in three layers. After applying the first, let the layer dry for 15-20 minutes, then proceed to apply the second, and then the third. Remember that it takes 24 to 36 hours for the paint to dry completely on the body. While the main part of the body dries, you can paint the bumpers and other parts - in the same way. After all the parts are dried, we remove the protective films and install the lighting equipment, bumpers, radiator grille and other parts in place. Coloring finished!

Useful videos on how to paint a car with your own hands

During the operation of the car, its appearance eventually loses its former luster. This is due to both precipitation (rain, snow) and dirt on the body. In serious cases, it may be necessary to completely. The question arises: where can I paint the car, spending a minimum of money on it? The first option is to use the services of professional craftsmen. However, such a service will result in a round sum of money. Painting can be done at home, while the results of the work will not differ in any way (with the proper and correct approach).

Preparatory work

The first thing to start with is workplace. It can be either a garage or a specialized hangar. In any case, the room should not be dirty, dusty and damp. This is due to the fact that moisture and dust, falling on the body, destroy the integrity of the paintwork. Because of what the paint will not last long. When visually inspecting, it is important to pay attention to everything, even to minor points. When answering the question of how to paint a car with your own hands, it is important to remember that the car must be thoroughly washed.

Most vulnerabilities: fenders, racks, bottom, sills. They should be cleaned very carefully. External inspection includes the search for obvious flaws. It can be corrosion, swollen paint bubbles, serious dents, deep scratches and chips. If such flaws are found, welding and a grinder will be required. All problems are solved on the spot, before the paint is applied.

Cleaning the work surface

The next stage is the removal of all elements that cannot be painted. This applies to windows, bumpers, door handles (hood, trunk), spoiler. You can try to protect individual parts of the body with adhesive tape and film (some glass accessories that cannot be removed without significant damage to them). At this stage, straightening occurs. This is the process of leveling the surface of the body. For this, a conventional and pneumatic hammer is used. To paint the car completely and ensure the durability of the paintwork, you need to get rid of all the bumps. The surface of the hammer must be completely smooth. Otherwise, traces will remain on the details that will be visible when painting.

Features of straightening

When straightening, special attention is paid to metal bends, thresholds and places where deep scratches have appeared. Dirt accumulates here, and rust can form after painting. It is important to remember that if the car has already undergone body repair several times, you should not completely get rid of dents. The fact is that after straightening, the metal seems to be stretched. Therefore, only straightening will not give positive results. To protect the wheels, it is best to purchase special covers.

grinding work

Grinding is carried out using a grinder and sandpaper. Significant chips and scratches are best treated with a planer for metal. Places that are most corroded are cleaned with a grinder. These are the wheel arches and the bottom. The rest of the body is cleaned with a grinder. When answering the question of how much it costs to paint a car completely, it is important to consider your own skills and abilities. If there is no experience in cleaning a metal surface in preparation for painting, then it is better to use the services of professional tinsmiths. They will perform both straightening and primary preparation. However, painting costs will increase significantly.

After cleaning, the metal surface must be completely free of paint. If in some places the latter is held firmly, you should use a special sponge (scotch brite). It allows you to get rid of the glossy sheen on the body. This is enough to apply a new coat of paint.

Features and types of putties for car body

Putty works are carried out in several stages - applying 3-4 layers. After each layer, the body must be sanded. This is done because after removing the paint in some places the metal has become thinner. If you paint the car at this point, the coating will not last even a year. There are several types of putty. The most popular is soft putty. It applies to everyone and is applied in an equal layer, filling in irregularities and roughness. If the body is seriously damaged, dents (and even holes) can be repaired with fiberglass putty. Such material is very durable, but it is difficult to process it. You can work with it only if you have the appropriate skills.

In general, the question of how much it costs to paint a car completely can be answered in different ways. It all depends on having the right tools. For example, buying a grinder (from 800 rubles to 2500) and an air hammer (price from 1000 to 3000 rubles) will cost a significant amount. As for the putty material, it is presented in sufficient quantities on the construction market. Putty consumption (for a medium-sized car of the "sedan" class) will be 1.5 kg per square meter. Based on this, at least 7 kg of material will be required to carry out quality work. Do not forget about the primer. The car as a whole will need about 700 grams. The total cost of preparatory work for leveling, priming and putty (with economical use) will be 7000-9000 rubles. Depending on the quality of the straightening and the choice of the type of putty, the final cost can vary greatly.

Putty application technology

To work, you need a rubber spatula. After purchasing the right amount of putty, you can get to work. It should be noted that each manufacturer indicates on the packaging the period during which the applied material must be dried. After applying the final layer, the body is polished. You can use a machine for grinding work or carry out the procedure with sandpaper. Ultimately, the surface to be treated should be smooth. If this effect is not achieved, the grinding work should be repeated. In exceptional cases, when the putty is applied unevenly, it is better to re-sand. In this case, you will protect yourself from uneven application of paint on the car body.

The answer to the question of how to paint a car with your own hands, having the necessary elements with you, is quite simple. With a proper and responsible approach, the end result will not differ in any way from the work of professional painters. In addition, will be saved cash, which can be spent on painting other elements of the car, for example, rims.

Priming work

The last stage of preparatory work is the primer of the body. Some deliberately skip this stage (for example, in order to save money). However, the main advantage of the primer is the additional protection of the body from moisture. Most primers are acrylic based. This material does not allow moisture to pass through, which increases the life of the paintwork.

The question arises: how much does it cost to paint a car during priming work? Each element of the car will take a different amount of primer. So, the consumption for processing the hood will be approximately 450 ml, for the bumper 250, for the rest of the elements - about 150 ml. Based on these averaged data, you can calculate the average price for a body primer. In any case, the result obtained - complete protection against moisture and the appearance of rust - will have a beneficial effect on the process of strengthening the paint on the treated surface.

Primer application methods

The primer is applied with a compressor. It will take 2 layers. The first layer is indicative. Enamel and solvent are added to the primer. All this is applied to the body in order to identify irregularities when applying putty. These pores should be removed immediately with sandpaper. The second layer is the main one. Produced to protect the body from corrosion and moisture. This completes the preliminary stage. It is necessary to leave the car in a dry place for a day to “seize” the primer. The next day, you can proceed directly to painting.

Car spray painting

The most economical and effective option is to paint a car with a spray can. In what color to paint the car, the owner of the car decides. Now in the automotive markets a huge selection of colors and all kinds of shades. The main advantages of this method of painting is the convenience of applying paintwork to the surface of the car. Thus, it is possible to achieve a uniform coating even in hard-to-reach places (for example, in wheel arches or in the bottom of a car).

Painting begins with degreasing the work surface. This is done by applying a solvent to all parts of the treated metal. Then you can apply paint. It is better to experiment on unnecessary material. It is important to understand how the paint falls on the surface, from what distance it is best to spray it. The vast majority of spray cans allow you to spray paintwork from a distance of at least 30 cm.

Shake the bottle thoroughly before use. The first layer is applied fairly quickly. It is important to ensure that there are no missing elements on the body. One layer is not enough. You must wait 30 minutes. During this time, the paint will dry. Then a second layer is applied. If defects and irregularities remain, a third layer will be required. Then, using a can of varnish, 2 layers of coating are applied. It is important to ensure that there are no smudges, otherwise it will give the impression that the body is painted unevenly. In general, when answering the question of how to spray paint a car, it is important to consider that paintwork should be applied smoothly. It is also necessary to allow time for the body to dry before applying the next layer.

Making an auto matte finish

More and more cars are painted matt. Now there are a huge number of such shades. The most popular are black, brown and white. It can only be applied to certain parts of the body. In this case, there is nothing left but to paint the car with a can of the desired color.

Matte can be given by using the appropriate varnish. The procedure is carried out in several stages: varnish is applied to the old surface of the car in order to hide the glossy shine of the old paintwork. Then, using a spray can with the desired matte paint, spraying is carried out on the body of the coating. This procedure is practically no different from the usual repainting of a car.

The most expensive and spectacular form of painting is the addition of a velvet sheen. This gives the car a “roughness”, which is felt when you touch the body. Thus, you can paint the car in a matte color with any accessible way. You can perform this procedure yourself. Or - if finances allow - with the help of professional painters.

Features of painting the body with liquid rubber

Liquid rubber differs in that it is applied to the surface of the body relatively easily and dries just as quickly. This is due to the peculiarity of the composition of the paint. It is based on a polymer-bitumen substance, which, when exposed to external environment instantly hardens and forms a thick protective film. This nuance should be taken into account when determining the place where the painting will be done. In general, you can paint the car with liquid rubber on your own, having withstood everything temperature conditions, and with the help of professional painters. The latter option, however, will affect the wallet of the motorist. It is not considered by us.

The advantage of this method of painting is also that it can be applied with an aerosol method or with a conventional brush. When sprayed, an even and dense layer is obtained, which is difficult to achieve when working with painting tools. Given that the composition has a dense base, it should be diluted. In most cases, ordinary solvent will not work. The best option is branded solvents recommended by the rubber paint manufacturer (this information is located on the label). Rubber paint is applied in 3 layers. The break between them should be at least 10 minutes. At the end, you need to leave the car in a warm place for a day. After it, you can start polishing to give shine. So, when answering the question of how to paint a car with your own hands, it is important to remember that it will take a long and painstaking work. Only in this case can the best result be achieved.

To achieve the best result, it is best to paint each element of the car separately. If this is not possible, care must be taken to ensure that the paint does not get on open spaces not to be dyed. This applies to plastic, wipers, wheels. In all cases, the visible parts of the body are covered with a film or tape. So, to paint the car with rubber, you will need to purchase wheel covers. This is the only way corrosive liquid will not get on the tires.

Before work, it is important to calculate the required amount of consumables. This applies to both paint cans and solvents and putty. In critical situations, when the car has significant body damage, additional tools will be needed: a hammer (for straightening), welding, adhesive tape. In general, the question of how to paint a car with your own hands is relevant for those who do not want to pay for non-dusty and uncomplicated work to specialized car painting centers.

Conclusion

The answer to the question of how to paint a car with your own hands is quite simple - you need to be patient and consistently follow all the steps discussed in the article. In this case, not only can common mistakes, but also to save significant funds that would go to the elimination of defects that arose during operation. Another important question. How much does it cost to paint a car if you use only improvised means? The final cost will depend on the selected consumables and the degree of wear of the equipment. So, when painting with a spray can, it must be taken into account that the consumption will be about 200 ml on average for each element of the car. The average price of such paint varies from 150 to 300 rubles (it differs in different regions). The volume of one can is 200 ml. In general, painting a car body will take about 2 liters of paint. This is an average price and it depends on the technology and the thickness of the layers. So, the cost for the purchase of cans will be 3000 rubles. Taking into account the solvent and hardener, the price will increase to 5500-7500 rubles. Thus, this figure will be 10 times less than if you used the services of professional painters.

Once upon a time, there comes a moment when the car owner begins to seriously think about the fact that the time has come to update his iron horse, or rather, to paint it.

Of course, the best option it would be to turn to the appropriate specialists who would quickly paint the car, of course, for a fee. But what if there is simply no necessary amount, and there is absolutely no desire to wait for the extra money to appear? The answer is simple - paint a car yourself, about car painting technology.

However, remember that painting a car is a rather serious and painstaking task. And if you are going to carry out this process with your own hands, then you will have to follow a number of recommendations. So, how to paint a car yourself? What do you need to know about this process?

Painting a car includes several stages at once:

• car preparation (before painting),
• putty,
• polishing
• primer,
• direct painting and polishing.

But first of all, you should decide on the place where the car will be painted. It is desirable that this place-room be spacious, although an ordinary box or garage is also suitable, the main thing is that there must be a constant positive temperature there.

Step-by-step instructions on how to paint a car yourself.

The first step is preparing the car for painting.

The surface of the car for applying putty must be prepared as best as possible. With the help of various detergents, all contaminants are removed from the surface of the body, and in the presence of grease and bituminous stains, it is necessary to use special solutions to remove such stains. By the way, the quality of surface degreasing can be checked using filtered paper: if greasy spots remain on it, then the surface must be washed again with a solvent. Remember: any spot of grease on the surface of a car is a potential source of corrosion.

After the degreasing procedure, it is necessary to dismantle the front and rear bumpers of the car, the radio antenna, the decorative radiator grille and the external lighting equipment. All these parts must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt.

Further, in a well-lit place, we conduct a detailed study of the paintwork in order to detect defects. If cracks, dents and chips are found, they must be marked with colored chalk or quick-drying acrylic paint.

Removal of existing paintwork can be done mechanically or by chemical means. For mechanical way cleaning you will need metal brushes, scrapers, skins. They also carry out cleaning of defective places, while the transition from a defective surface to a defect-free one should be very smooth. The chemical method of cleaning the surface involves the use of special washing compounds.

If at the same time you find rust on the car, then you must get rid of it in a mandatory manner, first of all by removing the oxide and clearing the affected area. For these purposes, you can use a grinder, drill, angle grinder, ordinary sandpaper, or do etching, that is, get rid of rust chemically. A composition ready for this (based on acids) can be purchased at a specialized store.

Video on preparing for car painting

The second stage is puttying.

Puttying must be carried out if there are irregularities on the treated surface. To carry out this procedure, you will need spatulas and putty.

Puttying is carried out as follows: the putty is mixed with a hardener, and then applied to the surface in several separate layers, 1-2 mm thick). At the same time, each such layer must dry for at least 40 minutes in a room at a temperature of +20 degrees Celsius.

Video on car puttying

The third stage is grinding.

Grind the surface must be dry, that is, without wetting. For sanding, you need P80 sandpaper, as well as a flat, hard sanding block. The bar must be kept along the horizon line. If necessary, some areas of the car surface can be degreased, puttied and sanded again.

car sanding video

The fourth stage is priming and painting.

The car is driven into a paint brush, glued, blown, wiped and degreased. Covers are put on the wheels.

A primer is applied in 2-3 layers, each of which is allowed to dry: the surface becomes matte and the shine disappears.

Then the car is blown again, degreased and the smallest dust is removed. Next, go directly to the painting itself. And they start it from the roof of the car.

The spray gun is held at a distance of 15-25 cm from the surface. The paint is applied in horizontal, quick movements from top to bottom. 20 minutes after applying the first coat of paint, you can already start applying the second coat.

Dry the car not in the sun, but in a closed garage. Drying lasts 24-36 hours. After the allotted time, the car is checked for any defects, which, if found, can still be corrected.

At the end of this stage, the surface of the car is treated with an antistatic cloth.

Vehicle primer video

The fifth stage is polishing.

After the painting, some amount of dust will definitely settle on the car, which means that the car needs polishing.

Video on polishing a car after painting

Afterword.

If you were wondering: how to paint a car yourself, you probably got a detailed answer. However, do not rush to start this process, relying only on the knowledge you have just received. After all, the lack of experience in painting a car can affect the final result. In other words, you run the risk of getting far from the look that you originally expected.

Know that painting a car requires compliance with all the small nuances, so before you start practicing, if you have already decided on it, master the theory well!