Preparing the Surface of the Car Body For Painting
Before painting your car, you’ll want to clean it thoroughly. Some people use mineral spirits while others use acetone and lacquer thinner. A special paint prep solution is available from manufacturers like Eastwood. It is a 50-state-compliant formulation that prepares your car for paint. Pre-paint can also be purchased at any paint supply retailer.
Sanding removes the top coat of paint
Before you paint, prepare the body surface by sanding it. Depending on the paint used, you may need to sand the car several times before you can paint the entire surface. Use a sanding block with a grit no smaller than 1,200. You may need to use a higher grit to remove the old paint. For this step, you can rent an orbital sander from a home improvement center or hardware store. Sanding can be messy, so make sure to do it evenly. Sanding is essential because automotive paint won’t adhere to glossy surfaces. Make sure you do it well before you start painting.

Sanding is also important if the car’s body has been previously painted. If it has a clear coat on it, you will have to sand the surface down to make it smoother. This will remove the paint from the high and lower areas, as well as the rough texture. Sanding will also remove the previous layers of filler and prepare the body surface for painting.
Cleaning
There are several types of cleaning solvent available to you when cleaning the surface of the car body before painting. You can use mineral spirits or Acetone, but also a product that has a urethane remover. A proper surface cleaner can cost anywhere from $20 to $25, but will last for many projects. Some people use disposable rags to clean their cars’ surfaces. Others use household paper towels.
A tack cloth is necessary to clean the car body’s surface. This is especially important for those who plan on painting in an environment that is not conducive to the job. These cloths can be purchased at any auto paint supply store for a relatively minimal price. When not in use, you can fold them back and then open them. The downside to these cloths is that they do have a limited lifespan, so use them wisely and carefully.
Primer
Preparing the car’s surface for paint requires that you remove any grease or wax. It is best to use a silicone-free remover. After cleaning the surface of the car, you can apply a primer coat. This will make the application process much easier as the primer coat won’t cover any imperfections. The primer coat must be applied in thin layers. Allow the car to rest for 20 to an hour between each layer.
The next step is to thoroughly clean the surface. Paint is often applied directly onto a rag. The rag should be dry and clean. The primer surface should also be smooth and flat. After cleaning, apply an adhesion promoter. This will prevent paint adhering to the surface. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to apply primer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations once the primer is dry.
Spraying
Before you begin painting your car, you must thoroughly clean and seal all of its parts. You should also move the car to a different location to avoid making a mess. Spray paint is typically applied in thin layers so you might only need one or two coats. Clear coat lacquer can be applied once the basecoat has dried. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray primer will dry within two hours.
If you are painting a metal surface, you need to apply a high-build primer first. This primer is specially formulated in order to remove any imperfections and create a protective barrier. It is important to use a high quality automotive primer. Make sure to clean the surface thoroughly before priming. Two coats of primer should be applied to the body surface: one for the bare metal, and one for the plastic.