How to Paint a Car with Spray Paint

Spray paint is a popular and effective car paint option. You only need to clean and sand the surface of the car to create a smooth base for the primer. Then apply multiple coats of primer and topcoat to achieve a quality finish. While spray paint is an effective and convenient option for painting cars, it’s important that you use it safely. Always spray paint in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask and goggles.

Table of Contents

Prepare the surface before painting

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1c/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-1.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1c/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Sand the car with 600 grit sandpaper. Sand the metal surface in the area you plan to paint with 600 grit sandpaper. Proceed to sandpaper back and forth over the entire surface to remove the old paint from the car. After most of the paint has been cleaned, switch to 1500 grit sandpaper. ^{[1] X Research Source}

After sanding, you need to make sure that the rust spots have also been cleaned.
This is a time-consuming step, but thanks to that, the painting will be more convenient and beautiful.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/eb/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/eb/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Fix holes in metal with a putty knife. Sometimes the metal surface will have holes due to the rust cleaning process. Fill these holes with metal or car-specific putty. Squeeze the matt from the tube directly into the hole until filled. Smooth the surface and remove excess bait with a flat, flat-tipped putty knife. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Wait about 1 hour for the putty to dry before sanding the surface with 1200 grit sandpaper
Car mats are available online or at repair shops.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4c/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4c/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wipe the surface of the car with a dry rag. Use an old, dry rag to clean the dirt on the area to be painted. If there is any sticky residue or stubborn dirt, try wiping with a rag soaked in cellulose thinner. This solution can help soften and remove dirt on the surface. You only need to use a small amount because this compound is extremely potent. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Cellulose thinners are available at hardware stores.
Always use the cellulose diluent in a well-ventilated environment because its fumes are quite toxic.

Car primer

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f6/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f6/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Choose a well-ventilated and sheltered place to use spray paint. The spray bottle works optimally in warm, dry and shielded conditions. You should do this in a well-ventilated garage if the weather outside is cold and humid. Minimize wet conditions as the paint will be more difficult to dry. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Clean up the area around the car so the paint doesn’t accidentally get on furniture.
Wear goggles and a mask to avoid exposure to dust and paint fumes.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/87/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/87/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Apply 3 coats of primer, 15 minutes apart each time. Hold the paint bottle 25cm away from the car and spray paint over the entire surface to be painted. Gently press the spray button and move the paint bottle back and forth evenly over the area. Move at a consistent speed so that the paint is even. You need to paint at least 3 coats. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

You should apply many thin layers because several thick layers of paint are easy to cause the paint to melt into droplets.
After the final coat, let the paint dry for at least 24 hours.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e3/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e3/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Sand the surface with wet and dry 1200 grit sandpaper until smooth. Wet the sandpaper and rub back and forth over the surface until the coating is smooth and even. For large areas, you may need to use several pieces of sandpaper to achieve a perfect finish. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/38/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/38/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Clean the area with warm soapy water. Clean the dirt on the car with a rag and warm soapy water and then rinse with clean water. Finally, use a clean towel to dry (or wait for the surface to dry). ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Spray paint on the car

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/50/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/50/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Shake the bottle of paint for at least 3 minutes. The pigments in the paint easily separate over time, so you need to shake the spray bottle vigorously to get the paint evenly mixed. If you shook the spray bottle about 12 hours ago, now you need to shake it again for about 1 minute. ^{[9] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/dc/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-10.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/dc/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Spray paint on cardboard. Hold the paint bottle about 25cm away from the cover and spray. Check that the paint sprays evenly on the surface of the paperboard. If the paint is uneven, shake the spray bottle for a few more minutes. ^{[10] X Research Source}

This step will also help you estimate how much force to push on the spray button.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/96/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-11.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/96/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-11.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Spray paint on the car in horizontal lines. Hold the spray bottle parallel to the surface, about 25 cm from the vehicle. Press the button on the can and spray the paint over the car in a steady back and forth motion. Take care to keep the spray bottle parallel to the vehicle while you move your arm through the area. Continue spraying until a thin, even coat of paint is completed. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Try to move the paint bottle with the same speed.
Move the arm over the area at a consistent speed so that the paint is even.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e0/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-12.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e0/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-12.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-12.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Apply at least 2 coats, spaced about 10 minutes apart. Multi-layer paint will help the surface of the car to be more evenly colored. Wait 10 minutes before applying the next coat. The surface will be a little sticky at this point, which will help the next layer of paint to easily stick and blend into the previous one. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If the surface still looks uneven after 2 coats, apply another coat after 10 minutes. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Wait 30 minutes for the paint to dry before applying gloss.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/9a/Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Paint- a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-13.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/9a/Paint-a-Car-with- a-Spray-Can-Step-13.jpg/v4-728px-Paint-a-Car-with-a-Spray-Can-Step-13.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Spray a coat of clear polish onto the surface in a horizontal motion. Press the spray button and move the paint bottle along the area you have painted with a smooth motion. This coating will help protect the paint against UV rays from sunlight. Wait approximately 24 hours for the top coat to dry before using the vehicle. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Advice

Spray each small area of the vehicle at the same time. This will help the paint to be evenly colored and achieve a higher quality finish. ^{[15] X Research Source}
If you are not satisfied with the finish of the coat, wait for it to dry completely and then sand the area before repainting. ^{[16] X Research Source}
Keep the paint bottle nozzle clean by removing it from time to time and soaking it in a cellulose thinner. ^{[17] X Research Source}
Using just one finger to push the button on a spray bottle can be tiring and the paint doesn’t look good. The handle with the paint sprayer is cheap, you can buy this tool to support the fingers to move more naturally.

Warning

Always use the spray bottle in a well-ventilated area because spray paint is often made from toxic ingredients. ^{[18] X Research Sources}
If you start to feel dizzy or unwell, leave the painted area for some fresh air. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Things you need

Sandpaper (600 grit and 1200 grit)
Paint masking tape
Paper
primer
spray
Glossy paint
Dust mask
Goggles
Rag
Towel
Warm soapy water

Steps