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How do I prep my car for new paint?
My friend and I have decided to repaint my Nissan. He’s done this plenty of times before, but since it’s my car, I want to be involved as much as possible. So, he’s putting me in charge of prepping the car. What is the best way to prepare my car to be painted?
Chloe Jenkins · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Preparing your car for a new paint job can be a little tedious. The good news is it’s simple to do even if you have no experience painting cars.
You’ll need to sand the whole car down at least somewhat. If you want to be very thorough, sanding it down to the bare metal is okay—but it’s not entirely necessary.
Generally, you’ll want to start with 180-grit sandpaper for the surface, 320 grit to remove any scratches, and then 400 to 600 grit to allow the paint to properly adhere.
If there are dents in your car’s body, pop them out prior to painting, as well. You can do this with a heat gun and compressed air or a dent repair tool purchased online or at an auto part store. Alternatively, it’s okay to skip this step if you don’t feel comfortable.
Then, clean the car off well, and you’re all prepped for paint!
Since you’re putting in the time to get your car looking great, why not let
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- Gregory R.
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