While the engine is central to your car's operation, it's the vehicle's bodywork that people see while you're on the road. The paint finish on your car is designed to serve two purposes. First, it provides a surface coating that protects the substrate metal from rust, corrosion, and other outdoor elements. Secondly, it also serves a decorative purpose, giving your car that attractive look that made you purchase it.

That said, your car's paint finish isn't designed to last forever. Over time, it may be ruined in a car accident or due to constant exposure to the elements. When this happens, you can get your car exterior surfaces back to pristine condition by doing a spray painting job.

Car spray painting is a job you can tackle well as long as you know what you're doing. Below are some important tips to keep in mind before performing a fresh paint job on your car body.

Strip off the old paint finish

The first step involved in any car spray painting procedure is to remove the old paint in preparation for the application of the fresh paint. You shouldn't apply new paint over the existing paint coating because the new paint simply won't adhere well.

Use a sander or sandblasting equipment to strip the entire car back down to the substrate metal. This helps to get rid of surface blemishes and contaminants that would affect the proper adhesion of primer and paint, which will be applied onto the bare metal, eventually.

Once all of the old paint has been sanded down, use a clean rag and paint thinners to wipe down the dust. Before you continue, wait for any residue from the thinners to evaporate.

Mask off the areas you don't want to paint

Not all parts on your car exterior need to be painted. Cover things like bumpers, headlights and taillights, tyres, windscreen and windows, door handles, and more to avoid overspray. 

Apply primer and paint

Before you begin painting, mix the primer with the thinners and then apply the mixture onto the clean and dry surface of your car body using a spray gun. Using an excessive amount of thinner can strip the primer, so check the instructions included in your products for the correct ratio.

Priming helps to improve adhesion between the bare metal and the fresh paint, thus achieving a uniform paint application. Apply two to three coats to achieve sufficient thickness, allowing enough time for the primer to cure between subsequent coats.

Follow the same procedure and tips for applying primer to apply your paint. Make sure the paint is of the correct type and quality for your vehicle.

Need a professional spray painting job done on your car? Contact a car painting specialist to take the hassle and guesswork out of your project.