Painting your car doesn't need to be a frustrating, scary or unenjoyable job. It simply requires time, effort and diligence on your part. With the right tools and know-how, it's not difficult to make a home paint job look as good as a high-quality factory job.
Preparation
Decide whether you plan to take the car apart for the job. While this won't have that much of an effect while you're sanding it down, it will change the rest of the job dramatically. Taking out the glass or removing the hood and doors is a difficult process, but it makes the painting easier. Once you've decided, make sure you have the necessary tools---sandpaper, auto putty, primer, masking paper (not newspaper) and masking tape are all essentials. Prepare the location where you'll be painting, and make sure you'll be able to use it for a while, as such jobs can take longer than expected and rushing is not an option. Choose an auto body paint, either aerosol cans or a paint gun system. There are advantages to both. Finally, invest in a painter's suit or pick out the old clothes you'll be using, and purchase a respirator and goggles.
Getting Started
Wash the car thoroughly of grease and grime; make certain it's dry before you begin using sandpaper. The finest-grit sandpaper available should always be used right from the get-go. This is more time-consuming; however, if you use coarser sandpaper, you'll be certain to be disappointed by the finish. Some might opt to use a sandblaster, although the final job can be less consistent with this method. (A solvent-based paint remover might also be used.) Sand the car down to the bare metal everywhere it is to be painted. After sanding is complete and all remaining dust and sediment have been removed, begin masking the parts of the car where you don't want paint to seep in. Do a thorough job, and use the right tools. Newspaper and other low-quality papers have a tendency to let paint through, and overspray will appear unsightly. Look over the areas you've masked and taped several times to ensure they are completely covered before proceeding.
Painting
Spray a coat of primer over the whole car evenly. Make sure you've hit all spots and that the entire car is covered. When the primer dries, you get to sand it by hand all over again to ensure the finish is entirely smooth. Prime it again, in the opposite direction, and sand again. You'll be ready to start painting once the second sand-down is completed. Paint should be applied with wide strokes in one direction only. Make sure your hands are steady and that you stay the same distance from the vehicle so as to ensure an even coat, and overlap by as much as half. You may choose to sand and re-coat as many times as you wish; just make sure you apply several coats for good measure. When the car is entirely painted, allow enough time for it to dry before putting on the clear coat. Clear coats may be reapplied to your vehicle several times. When your car is completely dry, look over it for bubbles or bugs caught in the spray that need to be buffed out. If it looks the way you like, take off the masking paper and tape---and take the car out for a spin.
