Taking Great Care of My Factory

Considering A DIY Vehicle Paint Job? How Can You Get A Professional Look Without Paying Full Price?

29 August 2016

Deann Hunter

If your current vehicle has a flaking clear coat or a mismatched two-toned paint job, you may be considering a new paint job to regain your car or truck's attractive, streamlined appearance. However, the thought of sinking thousands of dollars into a paint job on a vehicle that may not be worth much more than that may seem like an unwise decision. Is there any way to paint your vehicle yourself without ending up in worse shape than you began? Read on to learn more about achieving a professional paint job with air-powered brushes and a few hours of work.

What supplies will you need to achieve a professional-looking paint job on your vehicle? 

The even, perfect coat of paint on a new vehicle is achieved through factory airbrushing at a precise speed and consistency. Body work professionals are able to use scaled-down versions of these airbrushes to repair paint damage or paint custom designs and patterns. To improve your ability to get an even, flat coat of paint on your vehicle, you will want to use some air tools and an air compressor to apply the paint. 

Purchasing an air compressor of your own (unless you plan to paint multiple vehicles over the course of several months) can often be nearly as cost-prohibitive as having your vehicle painted by a professional. However, you should be able to rent a high-powered air compressor for the weekend for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new one. You may also be able to rent the air tools you'll need, although if you're planning to paint more than one vehicle, purchasing may be the more cost-effective choice. 

Paint can be ordered through a body shop or online. Unless you're planning to paint your vehicle a new color altogether, you'll want to ensure you order the paint designed for your specific make and model of vehicle -- even minor color differences can affect the quality of your final product. 

What should you keep in mind when using air-powered brushes for the first time?

Before painting your vehicle, you'll want to get a few large pieces of cardboard to use for practice. It's important to learn the amount of pressure you need to apply to get a perfectly even coat -- too strong and your paint will run in drips, too weak and your finger may stutter on the trigger and lead to blotches. 

You'll also want to wash and dry your vehicle thoroughly before applying a new coat of paint. Moisture trapped beneath the paint could bubble and even eventually cause rust, while dust or dirt that is painted onto the vehicle's surface could create a gritty look. For more information, contact companies like Kruman Equipment Co.

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