1. Check The Weather
You can dismiss this if you have a spray booth where the outside temperature isn’t likely to affect the paint. But if you’re doing this in your garage or anywhere that’s open area, take note of this. If it’s too hot the paint will dry before it reaches the surface, and it will end up balling and attaching to the surface, creating an orange peel effect. Do not spray paint in hot or humid weather. The ideal temperature to spray paint is between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius, for a smooth, even application.
2. Prepare The Surface
Wash the exterior of your car using the bucket of soap and water. This will keep any dust and dirt from causing any abrasion on your car’s paint or get in the way of a smooth paint job finish. Don’t forget to wipe it dry. After that, sanding the area is an important step you can’t skip out because it smoothens the area you want to work on which allows a consistent look when you apply the new paint. To further break down the area you want to work on and prepare it for new paint, use a scuffing pad. Scuffing pads create a rough surface, which is easier for the paint to stick to. Rub the scuff pad along the surface back and forth until the surface feels rough to the touch. Mask up areas where you don’t want the paint to get onto like the headlights. You can do this by using the masking tape and newspaper or plastic sheet.
3. The First Coat
If you haven’t done this before, it’s best to practice your spraying technique. Get a cheap used car panel from a salvage yard, or use any piece of scrap steel you have lying around. Hold the spray gun approximately 6 inches from the panel and spray in a side-to-side sweeping motion. When you've got your technique down, start applying the primer on the car, working from the roof down. Apply the primer in thin, even coats. It will usually take two or three coats to cover the surface completely and then wait for at least 24 hours before you proceed with the first coat.
4. Re-coating
Each coat will take about 10 minutes to apply per panel and between 20 minutes to an hour between re-coating for the paint to cure. It usually requires three to four coats of paint to cover the surface completely. Make sure you’re following the recommended drying time specified on the paint can instructions between coats. Before applying the last coat, remove any powdery residue with 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper and wipe down with a clean rag. Repeat the last two steps with the clear-coat lacquer.
5. Keep The Nozzle Clean
Spray nozzles can easily become clogged and cause you to stop mid-way through your slow, even spraying strokes. Before you start re-coating, clean the spray nozzle, that way, the paint does not have time to build up and create sputtering and spitting. You want the paint to come out in a soft mist, not spitting out blobs of paint onto your newly prepared surface. Remember, when using a spray can, always shake the can between each slow back and forth motion, this keeps the paint nicely mixed and it produces an even color.
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