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How do I paint a car hood with spray paint?
I have an older car and I went off-roading with it. I made some huge scratches and chips in the hood but was fortunate enough not to dent it. I want to repair the paint, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money. Can I repaint my hood with spray paint?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You must have had a really great time off-roading! Fortunately, you can paint the hood of your car with spray paint rather than getting a
professional paint job
, effectively saving between $300 and $500 in the process.Before getting into the nitty-gritty of the paint job, first decide whether you want to take the hood off or leave it on. Leaving it on is far easier, but you’ll have to tape off the windshield, headlights, and trim to ensure you don’t spray paint them on accident. If you take the hood off, you can spray paint with reckless abandon (to some degree at least).
Now that you’ve made your decision, start by cleaning the hood of the car using water and a car-friendly detergent. Don’t use dish soap, as it is too abrasive for your vehicle’s paint.
Once you’ve washed the hood, rub it with a sanding sponge and let it dry completely, preferably in the sun.
Then, follow these steps:
- Provided you don’t have any rust spots, prime the hood with spray paint primer
- Allow it to dry
- Spray paint the hood, then let it dry for 20 minutes
- Apply additional coats as necessary
In the future, consider
comprehensive coverage
for your vehicle. With a low deductible, you may be able to get the paint job done with little or no money out of pocket.Check out the
Jerry
app to shop around for the best rates quickly and easily. Sign up in seconds, and Jerry will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated car insurance providers for free, delivering the best deals straight to you in minutes.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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