Prep a Car Before Painting: What There Is To Know?

Replicating the painting done by car manufacturers is no easy feat. It’s a job that requires expertise, a solid foundation, and, above everything else, absolute preparation. If you plan to repaint your car, any professional car painter knows the secret to a good paint job is prepping the car. This includes steps such as cutting and sanding the previous paint layers and priming your car. If you are in Florida and need the best car paint in Miami, visit MagicTouchMiami professionals who can get the job done right. Meanwhile, read as we explain why you should prep your car before painting and how to do it properly.  

Why is Prepping Important?

Prepping, also called surface preparation, is important in painting as it ensures the paint sticks. In addition, it ensures the surfaces are clean to give your car a final look that’s smooth and high quality. 

The Methods Used to Prep Your Car Before Painting

In most scenarios, the three standard methods for preparing for a paint job include cutting, sanding, and priming the car. 

Cutting

This process uses abrasive compounds to remove thin layers of paint. Cutting can be done during the prep steps or after the paint is applied to help it blend smoothly with the old paint.   

When you start cutting, remember to wear protective clothing and safety glasses. Begin by taping off the surrounding areas and if you are applying the compound by hand, use a clean cloth to do it. Using an orbital polisher with appropriate pads is easier if you plan on working on larger areas. 

Pay attention to the pressure you apply so you do not overdo it. Spending too much time in one spot can burn and heat the paint, so remember to move the compound around. You can spray water on the surface to cool the color.

Sanding

Sanding uses abrasive materials to remove the top layer of your car’s paint. You can use an electric orbital sander or sandpaper for this process. You will need multiple grades of paper depending on the extent of the task. Sanding pads are beneficial when removing the clear coat and paint, especially when you want to get rid of the primer and work on the exposed metal. 

Priming

Priming is the icing on the cake that helps in sealing the surface and creating a protective barrier. This is important to create a surface where the color paint sticks. If you have imperfections on the bare metal, using a high-build primer will smoothen them out because of their high solids. You can also re-sand the rough areas to get rid of bumps and smoothen them. We recommend using high-quality primers specifically designed to work on metal surfaces. If you are doing a paint job on a plastic surface, then ensure you use plastic primers.    

Conclusion

Prepping a car is the most important part of any car paint job. You’ll need to map out how long it will take to work on the vehicle. If it’s a small vehicle, the above functions can take around two hours each. Cleaning is also essential and make sure to tape off the parts you don’t want the paint to get on. Lastly, ensure you choose the right paint shade that matches the color of your car. 

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