Doing it yourself (DIY-ing) any job can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring professionals—if you know what you are doing. Central Alberta Paint & Supplies (CAPS) has worked with many individuals who are looking for the right automotive paint supplies to refresh their vehicle’s paint at home. The following information will apply at varying degrees, depending on the size of the area you are touching up. To receive more detailed information, contact us directly. For a general understanding of the tools you will need, see below.
Primer, Paint and Clear Coat
The first automotive paint supplies—and most important ones—you will need are the primer, paint, and clear coat. Primer will prep your car for the paint layer, while also filling in small scratches. The paint layer, when applied well, creates a smooth layer of color that covers up any dents or rust that may be present already on the vehicle. Seal it in with a clear coat to prevent further rusting and get a nice shine. All three of these automotive paint supplies are essential to elongating the life of your vehicle.
Read more: Do I Need a Clear Coat?
Masking Tape
Another important automotive paint supply you will need is masking tape. If you are working on a small area, or near a gap or otherwise different-coloured area, use masking tape to prevent painting areas that do not need it.
Sanding Tool
Before you begin, you will need to sand down the area with different number grits. Starting at around 120-180 grit and working all the way up to 800 grit will leave your car’s surface primed and ready to paint. Many people choose to use a power sander to reduce the physical strain, but you may choose to do it by hand if the area is small.
Razor
A razor blade can be used to remove flakes of rust from the car’s body. Stripping the vehicle’s body of as much rust as you can will both make a smoother surface for the new paint layer and will help slow the spread of rust.
Brushes, Touch-Up Pen or Spray Gun
The amount of paint you choose to get will vary depending on the size of the area you are working on. Our CAPS in-store staff can give you sound advice on what type of paint form you should use, and help you select the proper method of application. Come visit us at any of our locations to chat further about the automotive paint supplies you need and how to get the most out of them.
Get Everything You Need At CAPS
At CAPS, we do our best to supply each person with not only the correct materials, but also with insider knowledge that will help you achieve the best results. Central Alberta Paint & Supplies has all of the automotive paint supplies you need for your vehicle DIY project. Any questions you have can be directed here, or we’d love to chat in person.