Know the Secrets How to Spray Paint a Car with a Spray Gun

Spray painting a car with a spray gun is a great way to paint that old clunker quickly. You can do it easily and it’s an inexpensive alternative to professional auto body shops. However, there are some things you should know before going to apply car paint.

The average person will never know the true joy of using a spray gun for car. In this blog post, we will discuss how to spray paint a car with a spray gun as well as the equipment needed. Let’s get started.

How to spray paint a car with a spray gun?

What equipment do you need?

Before you begin, make sure to purchase the following items:

1) Sandpaper

2) Primer

3) HVLP Spray gun

4) Air compressor

5) Masking tape

6) Paint

What safety equipment do I need to use?

It is always better to be safe than sorry when painting a car with small compressor. The majority of paint jobs involve some sort of chemical that can be harmful if used improperly.

For this reason, you will want to use safety equipment to ensure that you are not harming yourself or your car. It includes wearing protective gloves, goggles or eyeglasses, and a mask.

Step 1. Prepare your working place

Ensure the area is still well ventilated and that there is no wind or current going in between the car and the gun. If either of these occurs, stop immediately. Also, make sure none of your clothing can get caught in either machine.

It may be challenging to prevent overspray entirely, but if you are covering your car in garbage bags beforehand or using a cover, this will help.

Step 2. Sand the car

You need to make sure there is no wax or old paint on the surface before applying car paint. If necessary, use a fine-grit sandpaper and rub lightly in a circular motion until the surface is smooth to the touch.

You can then use a clean rag or cloth and wipe away paint particles and dust created from this process before applying paint.

Step 3. Check Hose leak and Spray gun

Connect your gun to the hose very carefully and not to cross-thread anything. Screw on tightly with your hand. Turn on the compressor and spray automotive paint on a small area of the car or masking tape to make sure your gun is working properly and that there are no leaks in the hose.

Use tin foil as a makeshift “target” for this test as it makes it easier to find any possible problems with the seams of your equipment.

If there are air bubbles in the hose, turn off the air compressor immediately. Next, remove all layers of tape. Make sure you have everything properly connected and then try again to recheck. Now you are ready to spray paint your car.

Step 4) Spray paint a car

Move back about 2-3 feet from your car. Press the trigger on your gun and make sure it is working correctly. If it isn’t pressurized and dripping, turn it off. Keep the gun’s tip at least 8 inches away from your car and begin spraying in a back and forth motion.

Make sure you do not go too fast. You will hear the air coming out of the gun. If this is not the case, turn off the compressor immediately and make sure nothing is clogged.

Keep the gun moving at all times, do not pause in one area for longer than a few seconds. It will prevent the paint from dripping and ensure good results. If you need to stop for any reason, turn off your compressor and gun immediately.

Step 5) Dry the paint

You should wait for your paint to dry before removing the masking tape. If you used garbage bags, cut them carefully away from the car and then use a little bit of acetone or nail polish remover to remove any adhesive residue.

Step 6. Apply a clear coat

If you want to protect your paint job, you can apply a clear coat of polyurethane spray once the paint is fully dry. The first coat should be light, allowing about an hour to dry before the second coat, which needs 12- 24 hours to dry. It will give it an added layer of protection.

However, it is best to wait 24 hours after painting before driving in order to let the paint fully cure and adhere to the surface of your vehicle. Congratulations on your newly painted car.

FAQs

Where can I buy a paint gun?

You can purchase a paint sprayer from an auto parts store, craft shop, or online at sites such as eBay or Amazon. If you decide to go with a large one for the purposes of painting your entire car, be sure to purchase an air compressor for painting car that can handle multiple spray guns.

How should I store the paint?

Once you finish car painting, pour any leftover paint into a sealed container and either use it another time or dispose of it according to your local laws.

For example, latex paint can be dropped off at recycling centers that are licensed to handle hazardous materials in California. In addition, latex paints can be recycled, whereas oil-based paints cannot.

HVLP vs. Airless spray gun: Which one should I use?

A hvlp car painting spray gun is best suited to individuals who are not used to using spray equipment. It typically uses 30-40% less paint than an airless sprayer, which results in a lower material cost.

Meanwhile, an airless sprayer requires the user to have adequate training and knowledge of how they function. So if you are just getting started with painting a car with a spray gun, the HVLP is definitely your best bet.

Conclusion

Spray painting a car with a spray gun is both easy and fun. In addition, it is affordable that can only be comprehended by those who have done it themselves. As long as you are careful and take necessary precautions, you should be able to paint your car with a spray gun in a few hours.

We hope this article helped you to learn how to spray paint a car with a spray gun. Also, be sure to check out our other blog posts on auto body repair for more information on painting, refinishing and restoring your vehicle’s finish.