Friday, October 18, 2013
How to Clear Coat Your Car
A clear coat on a car gives it a new, fresh look, and it protects the paint job from the elements. If you are refinishing your car or are looking to customize a vehicle, the clear coat is applied after you finish painting. You can hire a professional to finish your car for you, but this is expensive. Clear coating your own car takes little time and effort and is also inexpensive. To do it yourself, you need little more than some sandpaper, an airbrush and some clear coat.
Instructions
- 1
Cover anything you do not want clear coated with newspaper or plastic sheeting. This includes windows, door handles, mirrors and head and tail lights. Use masking tape to secure the protective covering in place.
2Dip your sandpaper in water to moisten it. Use the wet sandpaper to sand the entire surface of your car until it is smooth. Remoisten the sandpaper as needed throughout the sanding. When choosing sandpaper, use a fine grain. Leave the car to dry completely.
3Wipe your entire car down with a wet rag to remove any dust and debris. When you clear coat, you will seal in everything on the cars surface. Allow the car to dry again.
4Prepare your clear coat according to manufacturers instructions. Each brand will have a different set of instructions on mixing. Add the mixed clear coat to an airbrush.
5Use steady strokes to coat the entire car with the airbrush. Work in 12 inch sections to ensure evenness in the coating.
6Leave your clear coat to dry completely. Drying times will vary by product as well as environmental conditions.
7Remove all of the protective coverings from your car.
8Polish your car using an electric buffer and buffing compound of your choice.
