Automotive

Preparing a Car for Painting

Preparation is the key to success in auto painting. The professionals use an extensive preparation process to ensure that their results are high-quality and meet any paint and autobody rules. Here is a peek at what will be done to your care if you need to have it repainted.

Table of Contents

Cutting

Cutting involves using an abrasive mixture to remove the paint on your car. This is a preparatory step and a process used to blend new paint with the existing color on a touch-up job. There are many types of compounds, each one with a different purpose and strength. The professionals know exactly how to choose the right one for each job. Many shops will apply this mixture with a machine.

Sanding

Sanding involves using an abrasive material to remove the top layer of your car’s paint. The professionals will use ultra-fine sandpaper to quickly remove the clear layer on the top. This is one of the most crucial steps in preparing a car, and doing it correctly will provide the highest quality results. Some shops may use sandpaper, while others may use a sanding tool.

Priming

Priming seals the metal surface, creating both a protective layer and a gripper that your paint can stick to. It can also help smooth out and hide the imperfections in your car’s metal. Having two coats of primer will ensure that your metal is covered, and the paint will stick perfectly. The professionals will use a high-quality primer to give you the best final appearance.

Whether you decided to change your car’s color or need to touch up a spot after an accident, the preparation process is critical to ensure the result comes out looking perfect. This process can be quite complicated. Therefore, you may want to leave it to the professionals who understand cutting, sanding, and priming cars.