Improving Your Car's Look: 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Painting a Car
Tony Mers • August 2, 2018
There are four main causes of auto body damage, including weather, fender benders, high speed collisions, and sheer negligence. What do they all have in common? They can significantly ruin a paint job.
Unfortunately, though painting a car seems like it could be relatively easy, there are plenty of issues that car owners bring onto themselves if they aren't painting correctly. Here are some common mistakes vehicle owners make when painting a car:
- Not working with a car paint shop -- Simply put, the biggest mistake you can make when painting your car is doing it yourself. You're not painting a plain wall of your home here; you're dealing with a vehicle. You can't just grab a can of paint, a brush, and some dirty clothes and expect your car to look good as new once you're done. You need to take your vehicle to professionals who have years of experience painting cars.
- Painting over cracks and dents -- Rather than painting over these dents and cracks, it's a much better idea to have them completely repaired. Since you're painting your car in order to boost its appearance, you might as well work on improving the rest of your car. Even the nicest, freshest, newest coat of paint won't distract from any serious cracks or dents on the exterior of your vehicle. Take your car to a professional auto body shop prior to having it painted.
- Washing or waxing your car right after it's been painted -- Another common mistake car owners make comes after the paint job has been completed. You might love your car's new look and want to show it off, but it's best to wait a few days before you get it washed or waxed. Washing or waxing your car can cause fish eyes, which are small craters spread around the film. Fish eyes can be sanded out, but it's better to avoid them altogether. You might even want to wait a few days before driving around because even a small rain shower can cause fish eyes and other issues.
Looking to repair or replace your car? Before deciding which option works for you, consider repair costs, your vehicle's value, the damage, and safety.
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