Invest In Paint Protection For Your Car Exterior

Rusts on your car is not only unsightly to look at but also means your vehicle’s value drops as the damage develops. If the area affected by rust is very small, repairing it on your own is still an option. But if the rust has eaten through the metal or if the damage is extensive, you’ll need to seek professional car repair services. But you can also do the paint job on your own provided that you prepare carefully and study the techniques thoroughly.

How To Do A DIY Paint Job

· Wash the exterior of your car using the bucket of soap and water. This will keep any dust and dirt from causing any more abrasion on your car’s paint or get in the way of a smooth paint job finish. Don’t forget to wipe it dry.

· If it's just the exterior you're looking to improve, then simply mask the areas you don't want painted.

· 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.

· Scuff the surface. 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.

· Wipe the whole surface down with a clean rag and thinners to remove dust, and wait until residue from the thinners evaporates completely before continuing.

· Apply primer. But don’t forget to mix the primer with thinners using the ratios recommended on the paint can instructions. It will vary for different paints. Let the primer dry overnight before you begin painting.

· Practice priming if you haven’t done it before. 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.

· Don’t forget to mix the paint with thinners using the ratios recommended on the paint can instructions. Apply the paint the same you did with the primer.

· 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.

· While the clear coat is still wet, slowly remove the masking. Let the clear coat cure for the recommended time. Once that time is over, check for any imperfections. If you find any, use the 2000-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper to sand that area and respray.

· Buff paint in circular motions with a buffer, being careful not to burn the paint by holding the buffer in one spot too long.

It sucks to find that rust has slowly developed on your car right? Well, even getting an unsightly scratch on your car’s paint is never fun because touching up even the smallest one cost time and money. So why not invest in a paint protection film for your car and avoid paint damage in the first place? We can’t really help the kind of weather you’ll have in the place you live. Whether you have four seasons or two extreme weathers, all you can do is take extra step to protect your car from these. Paint protection in Singapore’s tropical weather will prevent your paint job from fading fast, it also keeps it from expanding and contracting which results to cracking where water or moist can seep through the cracks and create rust.

But for paint protection, it is highly suggested that you seek a professional to do it! Okay, maybe you’re a bit reluctant to avail custom installation because you know it costs more and you want to save money as much as possible. But, remember that smart investments, in terms of paint protection, are those where you spend quite a bit but offer better fit and best coverage which you know will last longer.

ALSO READ:

7 Reasons To Invest In Ceramic Coating For Your Car