Without a doubt, you certainly remember the first car you ever bought with your own money. People usually think of this as their moment of glory. It’s one of these things that make you believe you have definitely stepped into a new phase of adulthood. You feel responsible for your car, and treat it like a family member; after all, it goes with you through thick and thin! Whether you are a car aficionado or just a pragmatic person, caring for your car is not really a choice. For the former group, cars are their obsession and they are very careful when it comes to their maintenance and servicing. As for the folks who belong in the latter group, cars are valuable assets and maintaining them in a good state will guarantee a good resale value. So, car maintenance is a huge deal for everyone. This is especially true for the kind of jobs that can dramatically affect both the value and the overall look of the car like car paint. If you are a risk-taker, you might be tempted to take on the task by yourself, thinking you can handle it. However, there are many factors you should consider before making up your mind about doing this task yourself.
Let’s see them below:
Previous Experience
Unlike house painting, which still requires some practice, car painting is very delicate. Wall painting is much more forgiving given the difference in the surface area. You have to get some education about where to start and then practice the consistent painting technique you will have to follow. If, however, you are not the kind of person who can easily digest a plethora of information about the painting, then you’d be better off seeking professional help. Finding paint professionals, according to Vin’s Automotive Group who are self-proclaimed car experts, means that they’ll put their wealth of experience in getting the job at hand impeccably done. This will put your mind at ease and save you from worrying about researching topics that you are not interested in and would have to do out of necessity. Even if you were excited about giving it a go, hiring professionals will save you from some common rookie mistakes like running out of paint because you miscalculated the amount you will need.
Budget
While some people enjoy maintaining their cars and making a hobby out of it, the majority who choose to DIY these tasks are concerned about the cost and how to save on a somewhat “simple” task. If you believe that you are on a tight budget and cannot afford to put aside some money to get your car professionally sprayed, then you might have no choice but to do it yourself. Otherwise, you can check with your car dealer shop, since most of the time such services are covered and are very reasonably priced. You can also keep an eye out for special offers provided by local garages meant for certain car brands. However, if budget is not an issue for you, it’s recommended that you hire a professional to take care of spray painting, especially if you have a tricky situation at hand after a car crash.
How Old Is Your Car
Older cars tend to be more challenging when it comes to painting. This is because of their worn out surfaces that need special care and treatment before painting. The usual steps required for newer cars, like sanding and applying primer coats, can be more challenging with older ones. Unless you have enough knowledge in this area or are willing to learn all about it for the sake of your beloved vehicle, it’s generally advised to leave it to the experts.
Space
Spray painting your car can get very messy. You need to have enough room for the inevitable splatters and splashes. If you have a garage, make sure you clear out everything that can be damaged. Make sure you have adequate ventilation as the fumes from the spray paint can be very toxic and cause serious respiratory issues. You can even feel light headed and dizzy while working due to suffocation. So, you need to have a proper mask at hand, as well as all the necessary gear. You can go online and search for advice from experts on specialized forums to learn some necessary information about how to prepare for a car spray paint.
Time At Hand
Even those who love cars and are passionate about doing everything related to their cars on their own might not have the luxury of time. Spray painting a car is a tedious and lengthy process that requires many essential steps that cannot be skipped. From cleaning, to sanding and adding multiple layers of primers and then multiple coats of paint, the process takes a lot of time. And you cannot move forward unless each coat is completely dry. What might be a few days’ project for an amateur can take specialized experts with honed skills and years of experience only a few hours. So, even if you understand what it takes and have the know-how, when planning, make sure you have the time needed for this endeavor.
The Purpose of Spray Painting
Whether you just want to freshen up your car and give it a little make-over or are preparing it for resale will affect which way you need to go when it comes to painting it. People who are interested in buying a used car know that they have to take it to a specialized car shop for a thorough inspection. A subpar paint job will definitely lower the value of your car, forcing you to accept a humble price. If you intend to put your car up for sale in the near future, then it’s highly recommended to leave the task of painting it to a professional to avoid any regrettable consequences.
Spray painting a car can be a very interesting project to undertake during a long weekend. However, you need to be very careful and think of the above factors as there are many details that go into this task before you commit yourself. If you are new to this area and are interested to learn, you can hire a professional and observe him at work. This will encourage you to take over the job yourself the next time.