A new layer of paint is the best way to keep your older car looking new. The problem is that having your car painted at a body shop can be expensive. You can simulate that fresh-from-the-showroom look by painting the car yourself--just make sure you use acrylic enamel to get the deep shine you're looking for.
Instructions
1. Find a place to paint your car. Pick somewhere that is out of the wind and rain, but is also extremely well-ventilated. Don't paint in a location where you cant get paint on the walls or floor. Remove everything that is flammable, including gas tanks, aerosol cans, lawnmowers and propane tanks.
2. Siphon the gas out of your car's gas tank; this will decrease the chances of your vehicle exploding.
3. Prepare yourself. Make sure you are wearing old clothes or a painter's suit. Protect your eyes with a pair of goggles and wear a pair of disposable gloves.
4. Use a paintbrush to apply paint stripper to your car. The idea is to remove all of the original paint. Any paint that remains will make the acrylic enamel look uneven and unprofessionally applied. Use sandpaper to remove the paint from areas that are particularly stubborn.
5. Cover all of your car windows and lights with sheets of plastic or garbage bags. The plastic will prevent you from accidentally covering them with paint.
6. Rub your entire car with sandpaper. This will rough up the metal, allowing the paint to adhere to it better.
7. Cover your entire car with gray primer. Make sure the primer is smooth. Use paper towels to wipe any places where the primer globs or runs. Most experts recommend applying four or five layers of primer. After spraying your car with primer, let it sit for at least 12 hours so it can dry.
8. After the primer has dried, cover your car with a layer of sealer. The purpose of the sealer is to keep rusting to a minimum. The sealer needs more than 1 hour (but no more than 3 hours) to dry.
9. Load the acrylic enamel into your paint gun.
10. Hold the head of your paint gun approximately 6 inches from your vehicle. Use a fan pattern to paint your car. Make sure you hold the paint gun parallel to the area you are painting.
11. Apply three or four coats of the acrylic enamel to your car.
12. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours. Remove the plastic from the windows and lights. Your car is now ready to be driven.
