simple do-it-yourself auto paint job with professional results ... get a $3500 paint job and do it yourself for $50.
Prep Work
A quality prep job...
if you want a great result.
But it's time-consuming, if it isn't done
right. Too much sanding
exposes bare metal.
Where bright red primer is means
too much sanding, because that's where
spray primer was needed so metal
wouldn't rust before the paint job was started.
A car exposed to the elements and night dew, and
rust can come quickly when metal is exposed.
Before painting, the car must be properly prepared.
A faulty prep can lead to
sanding your paint job off,
to start over, again! That would be
enormous work.
Simple Steps:
1) Wash the car for extreme cleanliness.
2) Clean the car again, with mineral spirits.
Mineral spirits is a degreaser.
3) Strip off trim, take off anything you can
that covers a surface that will be painted. See "Stripping Trim Before Painting."
4) Sand. Sand with 300-400 grit. Take the "shine" off the
original paint. Feather away cracks, pits, and other defects.
Be careful on edges and creases, and try not to expose metal.
See "How Much Sanding For Prep Is Enough?"
Use a block or sanding sponge.
Okay, now you have finished the prep!
Wet sanding drip water stains the cardboard protecting the garage floor from stains.
See some some water bottles with wet-sanded waste water collected. These I sent to
recycling for environmental concerns.
Be careful if you later use GUNK engine degreaser to clean the engine compartment.
It will eat through the Rustoleum paint !