Spray painting a car - a waste of money or a real opportunity to save money?

No matter how diligently you take care of your car, it is impossible to avoid minor scratches and damage.

Most often, the top layer of paint is damaged when parking, when the doors were unsuccessfully opened or there were stones on the road.

In any case, the damage is not significant, it is not always possible to notice it immediately, but over time it can turn into a serious threat and become a problem.

In this case, you just need to contact a car service. There you will already have to shell out a more serious amount of money.

Therefore, while the problem is insignificant, they prefer to eliminate it at the root, not go anywhere, but simply paint it on their own using spray paint.

The method is very economical and does not require special knowledge.

I saw it on TV and it became interesting

In some car television programs you can see how the presenters themselves paint individual elements, and sometimes the entire car, using primer and paint in spray cans. Every time I saw such a repair, I had a desire to test with my own experience what could come of it.

The 21-year-old Lancia Delta HPE was completely repainted about three years ago. During this time, defects appeared on some body elements, in particular, “bugs” on the trunk lid, and the paintwork on one of the moldings peeled off.

I have some experience in the field of auto body repair; I could easily remember my student years and eliminate existing shortcomings using professional equipment. But in this case, I would never have received an answer to a question that has long interested me. So I took a risk.

Spray cans of car paint are sold both in regular large supermarkets and in construction stores, and in some of them you need to pay less than 10 rubles for 500 ml of paint. “Suspiciously cheap,” I thought and went to buy paint at a specialized store that sells everything needed for car body repairs.

The advantages of this painting method

This method of local restoration of body paint has a number of undoubted advantages:

• All operations and stages of work are very simple and do not require any special training or skills from you
• The quality of repairs using a spray can is usually high
• The aerosol spray can be applied to any surface without any problems, including hard-to-reach places in the bends of body parts
• The use of additional tools is not required to apply the coloring composition: spray gun, roller, brush, etc.
• The paint layer is uniform even if you have no experience in automotive painting
• Painting a car with your own hands using a spray can will cost less than using other methods

First troubles, but thanks to the spoiler

We apply the paint in several layers so as to prevent the formation of sagging and smudges, as well as “lack of dust.” Already on the second layer it becomes clear that in some places the paint begins to react with old materials. Fortunately, this happened in those places that are covered by the spoiler, and in one place on the molding. Therefore, despite the nuances that have appeared, we continue to paint.

After applying four layers, at first it seems that the result is not so bad, the experiment was a success. But if the reaction appeared in places where the spoiler could not hide it, one could talk about the failure of the “operation” to save money on painting.

It didn’t turn out that bad, so we ventilate the garage and leave the car until tomorrow until the paint dries.

When the paint finally dried, the result, to put it mildly, was no longer pleasing. The shine completely disappeared, many nuances became noticeable that were not visible immediately after coloring.

It was impossible to leave the trunk like this - it looked simply terrible. I had two options: completely redo the whole job and paint the trunk with primer, paint and varnish for professional use, or try to remedy the situation by sanding and polishing the trunk.

Preparatory procedures, how to paint correctly

If you decide to carry out all the repair work on your own, then you should do everything as soon as possible. Once you discover damage, do not delay the process, as the problem may get worse.

Once the scratch reaches the metal, the oxidation process begins, leading to rust and corrosion. Because of these defects, more serious work will be required.

Before painting, the car is cleaned using conventional detergents. You need to wait until the surface is dry and then degrease it.

For this, special wipes and solvent are used. After saturating one napkin with it, wipe the surface dry with the second. To ensure greater comfort, you need to remove the part that will be worked on.

All other areas of the body that cannot be painted are covered with protective film and masking tape.

To prevent painting defects from appearing, a special chamber is needed; the room must be completely clean of dust and other contaminants. Lights, like devices, should be directed toward the work surface to avoid glare.

Work should not be carried out outdoors, as exposure to sunlight will negatively affect the result. At high temperatures outside, only the first layer is subject to drying out; it will take longer to wait for complete drying.

Therefore, before applying a new layer, wait until the previous one dries.

Before spraying the can, you should shake it well. Try not to go overboard and cover up the rest of the components.

If you are not sure of the result, then you can try your hand at an old part that you have.

Don't forget to follow the existing instructions and stock up on the following tools:

• paint,
• sandpaper of different levels,
• putty and primer,
• antisilicon,
• polyethylene,
• masking tape,
• elements for protection.

When doing all the work yourself, be sure to consider hand protection; use a rubber or silicone spatula so as not to cause unnecessary damage to the surface.

The work of the aerosol begins only after the primer has been applied, dried and polished.

Let's save the situation

In my understanding, sanding and polishing the surface after painting goes beyond the scope of “budget” DIY repairs. To do this, you need to have a polishing machine, wheels and polish, but the vast majority of ordinary car enthusiasts have nothing of the kind. Therefore, in fact, the mission to save money on painting can be considered a failure - of course, if you do not want to put up with the disgusting appearance of your car.

Nevertheless, four layers of paint gave me the opportunity to try to correct the situation.

P2000 sandpaper with water and two types of polish using wheels of varying hardness helped in this matter.

Almost all the imperfections have disappeared, and a more or less normal shine has appeared. Painted, albeit with nuances, the molding began to look much more presentable.

In general, after all the procedures, the rear of the car looks a little better, because the “bugs” on the trunk lid did not decorate the car at all. The final quality of painting is no worse than what some garages can offer. But don’t forget that there are places under the spoiler where the paint reacted.

In addition, you can notice the difference in shades.

Applying layers of paint and varnishing the damaged area

Painting a car with your own hands using a spray can should be done from a distance of about 30 centimeters. All work, and especially the dyeing process itself, must be carried out at room temperature.

First you need to apply the base enamel, which is also a spray. Next, you can start spraying the paint itself.

Apply it in 2-3 layers. After applying each of them, be sure to dry it. At a temperature of +20 degrees, the time allotted for drying of the composition should be 10-15 minutes.

Each subsequent sprayed layer of dye should be slightly larger in volume than the previous one. In other words, the stained spot should increase each time. After spraying the composition one last time, let it dry a little longer - 20-25 minutes.

The next stage of work is covering the surface of the damage with transparent varnish. It is done in the same way as spray painting a car. In this case, it is advisable to use an aerosol varnish from the same manufacturer as the coloring composition. After applying 2-3 layers of varnish, immediately, within 15-20 seconds, treat the transition zone between the old and new coating. It needs to be made as invisible as possible, that is, blurred.

Our verdict

You can paint a car with a spray can, but achieving a really good result is almost impossible. And with a complex color, it will be even more difficult to hit it. It was possible to give the painted surface a more presentable appearance only after additional sanding and polishing.

The materials, excluding the purchase of polish and wheels, took about $20, as well as three evenings. I definitely wouldn’t risk painting the hood this way, for example. In three words - so-so pleasure. You can only spray paint thresholds made from construction foam and putty to pass inspection.

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Selection criteria – transparent, colored, odorless, glossy, matte

When choosing a varnish for a specific application, the consumer has to solve a series of practical questions - is it possible to find a car varnish that does not produce a strong odor in cans, which is the best of those available on the market - transparent or colored, glossy or matte.

The right choice of varnish is a guarantee of coating quality Source gidpokraske.ru

These problems can be solved based on personal preferences and aesthetic requirements for the surface in each specific case. However, there are also a number of standard recommendations:

1. Gloss is preferable for a black/dark object when you need to highlight contrast, transition, or image. The downside is that any flaw becomes clearly visible on the surface.
2. The matte surface looks more natural. In addition, they emphasize the style of the product and facilitate the cleaning procedure.
3. Transparent varnish does not change the color of the surface or its natural texture. For example, it is used for wood, car wheels and optics.

Colored compounds are used when it is necessary to enhance an existing shade. Moreover, due to the specifics of the structure being created, the applied layer increases the strength of the surface.

1. Odorless aerosols allow you to paint indoors when ventilation is impossible or the harm of fumes during drying is obvious. Mostly water-based acrylic varnishes have these characteristics.

Coating a car with spray varnish Source kraski-net.ru

Advice! When choosing a varnish, two parameters are of utmost importance for subsequent use - absorbency and gloss. Water-based products are absorbed shallowly. A highly shiny surface makes the object visually dark.

Disadvantages of car paint in cans

In addition to the advantages that are certainly present in the paint and varnish industry, there are also disadvantages.

Among them are:

• lack of clear instructions on how to properly spray paint;
• unforeseen expenses associated with poor-quality paintwork;
• price, which sometimes does not always fully correspond to quality;
• incorrect shade of color obtained after completion of all types of work;
• unverified manufacturers.

Briefly about the main thing

Car varnish in a can significantly speeds up and simplifies the surface varnishing procedure. Thanks to this, it finds wide application - in body repair, painting furniture and interiors, in construction, as well as in the creation of souvenirs, toys, works of art and electrical equipment. Among its obvious advantages are:

• Quick to use.
• Availability in any circumstances.
• Economical.
• Quick return to working condition.
• Versatility to any materials and surface geometry.
• Aesthetics.
• Ease of use in hard-to-reach places.
• Diversity.

No special skills are required to use the can. However, some disadvantages may arise in the operation of the device - breakdown of the atomizer, loss of pressure. Depending on the degree of dilution, varnishes are divided into hard HS, soft MS and high fluidity 1K. In terms of composition, they are alkyd, polyurethane, nitrocellulose, and also mixed. When choosing, you must take into account its aesthetic characteristics, absorbency and shine, store and use it in accordance with the recommended rules.

Problems that arise when applying paint

If the paint is not of particular quality or you have not followed all the rules for applying this type of paint and varnish material, unexpected results may occur.

Please pay attention to the fact that even high-quality paint used to paint the untreated surface of the body will not bring the desired results. It may simply not freeze or this process will not be complete. Then you will have to remove the remaining undried paint and start the whole procedure all over again. Thus, you will spend much more money than you originally expected.

The paint may be too viscous and not distribute properly over the entire surface being treated. In this case, special solvents are used that reduce the degree of thickness of this paint and varnish material.

Sometimes the sprayer jams or some particles get into it, then you should use another can or worry about checking the quality of the sprayer, with which the paint should be evenly distributed over the entire working surface.

There are even cases when the paint is simply not designed for your vehicle. The thing is that drivers do not always understand this topic, so they do not distinguish ordinary paint from specialized paint intended for the car. In this case, a special sprayer will change the situation, removing the unwanted layer of paint from the surface of the body.

Uniform distribution of paint is the main condition for quick drying of the surface. Therefore, it is necessary to check all equipment before painting in any case.

Working with metal coating requires special preparation. After all, the paint dries quickly. The original layer is easy to disturb. You need to be extremely careful not to scratch the body with a spray can or other specialized equipment. It is also necessary to wear protective equipment to prevent paint and varnish materials from entering the respiratory tract and onto the hands of the person carrying out all the painting work.

Table. Thickness of factory paint on cars.

Brand	Model	Paint thickness, microns
Chery	Amulet	110-120
	Tiggo	105
GAS	Siber	90-105
	GAZ-3110	80
Chevrolet	Lanos, Aveo	75-150
	Captiva, Epica	90-100
	Niva, Spark	94-98
	Lacetti, Cruze	110-140
	Cobalt	120-140
Ford	Explorer, Kuga	135-145
	Focus	156-160
	Mondeo	119-127
Kia	Cerato	110-120
	Picanto, Soul	100-110
	Venga, Optima	120-125
	Sorento, Cee'd	100-105
	Sportage	110-140
	Rio	100-135
	Quoris	150-180
Peugeot	308, 508, 3008	100-115
	4008	58-61
	Occasioned	98
Suzuki	Grand Vitara	77-94
	Splash, SX4, Swift	90-115
Lexus	RX, ES, LX	140-145
	CT, GX, LS	125-150
Opel	Astra (Turbo, GTc)	110-157
	Corsa, Zafira	115-120
	Mocca	110-130
Citroen	C5	110-130
	C4	75-125
	C3, C3 Picasso	90-120
	Berlingo	100-120
	C-Elysee	110-140
	DS4	205-230
Volkswagen	Polo, Golf	80-105
	Touareg	130-215
	Jetta	140-155
	Tiguan	115-140
	Passat (New)	120-140
	Caravelle	105-135
	Caddy Trendline	115-130
	Multivan Highline	90-135
	Amarok	100-145
	Golf (New)	90-130
Lada	Kalina, Priora	60-100
	Granta	110-140
	Granta Sport	110-130
	El Lada	95-115
	Largus	180-240
	Kalina 2	100-125
	Niva Lynx, 2144	105-155
	21134	100-135
Hyundai	Accent, IX 35	70-75
	i30, i40	100-110
	Santa Fe, Elantra	70-100
	Solaris, Sonata	85-100
	Tucson	90-130
Renault	Logan, Koleos	55-120
	Fluence, Megane	100-140
	Duster, Sandero	105-115
Mitsubishi	Lancer, Pajero	90-125
	L200, Outlander XL	53-75
	ASX	70
Honda	Accord 7	130-145
	Civic 4D	100-135
	Fit, CR-V	87-98
Daewoo	Nexia	95-115
	Matiz	110
Subaru	Forester, Legacy	110-115
	Imprezza, Outback	125-140
	Tribeca	120
Geely	MK	80-100
	Otaka	75-80
Ssang Yong	Kyron	100-110
BYD	F3	up to 100
Scoda	Octavia	115-140
	Yeti, Superb	110-140
	Fabia	100-120
	Roomster	110-130
Toyota	LC 200, Camry	110-130
	Avensis, Highlander	80-120
	Auris,Verso	110
	Corolla	106
	LC Prado	77-93
	Prius, RAV4	80-90
Nissan	X-Trail, Patrol	75-120
	Juke, Qashqai	110-125
	Murano	95
	Tiida, Navara	105-115
	Pathfinder	100-110
	Almera, Teana	130-150
Mazda	CX-7, CX-5	85-120
	3, 6	110-130
Volvo	S 60	110-130
	S 60 II	95-115
Audi	A5, A6, A7, A8	up to 100
	Q3, Q5, Q7	114-147
Infiniti	FX35	116
Mercedes-Benz	C, E	230-250
	G.L., M.L.	90-100
BMW	X1	110
	X3, M6, 5	89-100
	X5, X6	120-165
	5er (E60)	130-165
Fiat	Albea	115-130
	Punto	111

Recommended sequence of actions

The sequence of actions depends on the condition of the paintwork. There are two types of paint coating condition:

1. Small scratches and chips that can form when hit by gravel. Such defects are usually superficial; paint should be placed even in the deepest place of damage. These types of problems can be eliminated by polishing the surface.
2. If the damage reaches the primer or metal, then the area must be repainted. The cheapest and most effective method of painting is the use of aerosol paints.

Selecting paint is also a rather complex and important process. The bottles used indicate the exact name of the color, according to which the paint is selected.