Painting your car is a nice DIY project that could be done at home, but many people tend to avoid it because of excessive cost and also the degree of prep-work involved. Getting a spray gun, air compressor and also the right clear coat, primer spray, buffing compound, anti-rust solution and numerous more things are all things that a severe DIY car enthusiast will list to do the job well. But have you considered the alternative? A less costly alternative? A technique that depends upon thriftiness?
Painting your car for just $ 75 is a reality
According to Styluss at Instructables Workshop, there is a way to undertake painting your car via “The Poor Man’s Paint Job” technique. It only costs $ 75. Rustoleum paint and high-density foam brushes are the key elements of the spending budget technique. Sanding is kept to a minimum. Just keep in mind that this isn’t something Earl Scheib would recommend for your new car. Results are by no means guaranteed, and the procedure should be undertaken at your own risk. However, the results for Styluss were highly satisfactory; look into the photos at the Instructables Workshop link below for proof.
What you will need
What follows are estimates. What your vehicle will need may vary. Styluss painted an average-sized sedan, but if you’re working on an SUV or large truck, you’ll likely need more.
3 quarts of Rustoleum high gloss white paint = $23.61
3 quarts of odorless mineral spirits = $17.97
1 can of primer spray paint = $4.99
4-inch high-density foam brushes (7) = $5.67
2-inch high-density foam brushes (7) = $3.95
Paint trays (3) = $3.21
2 packs of sandpaper designed for wet use (600- and 800-grit) = $9.50
1 roll of painter’s tape = $5.84
Total: $74.74
Preparing for the adventure
A large place to work is essential. Washing the car is the next step. Anything that could be removed from the car (headlights, tail lights, mirrors, trim, etc.) should be removed. Then sand the car. If you will find spots where the old paint has chipped off, hit it with the spray primer. Sand it evenly so the paint has a smooth surface to which it can adhere. Apply painter’s tape and mask off the windows and other areas you don’t want painted.
Painting your car – It’s time
Mix the paint half-and-half with mineral spirits. The paint mix should have a milk-like consistency, runny but still thick. Styluss recommends applying each coat of paint within the same order so that you’ll be certain not to overdo areas or miss anything. Start high and work down. Just be careful to make it smooth and fluid, as letting one area dry with unfinished edges will produce paint lines if you double back.
Go slow and paint the right way
Once you have decided upon your method, pour some paint mix into a paint tray and get to work. Big brushes are great for big parts, and also the smaller ones are ideal for little segments. Lay the paint on thick in an area, and then spread it around to cover and create a base. Slowly glide the brush along, always making sure to stroke in the very same direction. Drips and sags can happen, so watch for them. If they’re minor, just brush over them. Larger gaffs may require that you break out the sandpaper and start the process again. Three coats should do it, with six to 12 hours of drying time after each coat. Undiluted Rustoleum is advertised as a 24-hour dry. Diluted here, assume about half that time frame or better.
Sanding and coating some more
Dry the initial coats, soak the 600-grit sandpaper in water and sand for baby smoothness. Take care of the residue with a hose, then buff. If painting your car went perfectly, you may not need the additional sanding. If so, you are ready for the final coats. Let the final 2-3 coats dry, sand with the 800-grit (or higher) and spray off the residue.
Viola! Are you fascinated yet?
Wait at least a full day before washing or waxing your newly painted car. Some brush strokes may be visible, but in Styluss’s case, these were hard to see. ”The Poor Man’s Paint Job” is an excellent deal for $ 75, as it gives new life to your car. It is possible that the job will only last a year, but consider that you didn’t pay much for this makeover. Just keep in mind that if you need to spend more money, strip the Rustoleum off before plunking down major coin for a professional. But you may not need it; “The Poor Man’s Paint Job” will conserve you money and can produce quite enough results.
More info about this topic at these websites:
Instructables.com
instructables.com/id/The-Poor-Mans-Paint-Job-or…-How-to-paint-your-c/
