#Pro paint and body pro

Cheap masking tape will allow paint to bleed through and a generally manufactured with a low-grade adhesive which leaves a sticky residue when removed.

#Pro paint and body pro

Newspaper is porous and will allow paint, especially clearcoats, to bleed through onto the glass and trim underneath.Īnother pro tip is to invest in a high-grade masking tape from manufacturers like 3M. While you may be tempted to use that old stack of newspapers for masking, spend the few extra dollars to get some legitimate masking paper. This is another critical step which ensures you don't end up with overspray on your windshield, motor, dashboard, and leather seats!īefore you being masking and taping, make sure to wipe down the entire surface of the car to remove all dust and contaminants that may lead to your masking seams and lines to fail while you're spraying.

Now that you've prepped the vehicle with plenty of elbow grease and patience, the next step is to mask and tape off every surface of the car that will get painted.

While the first couple of layers of body filler can be sanded with a power sander, make sure you move onto hand block sanding for the final layers. It will require spreading body filler, waiting for it to cure, sanding, and repeating the process several times until you have a perfectly straight and smooth surface. Perfecting your body filler application is the most tedious and time-consuming step in the process. While some panels can be straightened with a hammer and dolly, most of the panels on your vehicle will require body filler. This is the step where you'll eliminate any dents, deep scratches, and uneven surfaces.

Taking the time to ensure every inch of the body is straight and smooth and the gaps between doors, fenders, and hoods will result in a pristine final result that you will admire for years to come. While you may be tempted to cut corners and move onto the fun part of painting quicker, don't. Straightening the panels is the most time-consuming part of the automotive painting process.