| Alright. First things first. I don't guarantee any work | | | | Before you begin painting, I highly recommend doing |
| you get done to your car or any work you do | | | | a sort of dry install. Find out where the pieces going, |
| yourself. If you should mess up your car, well that's | | | | take all of the pieces that need to be removed off |
| your fault and don't blame me! | | | | your car, and find all of the places you're going to |
| Okay, let me start out by saying that I highly | | | | have to bolt down in order to get a proper fit. |
| recommend getting a body kit installed by an auto | | | | Don't remove any sticky things yet and if needed |
| body technician or someone who has done body | | | | find the places you need to drill and drill them. Clean |
| work and feels comfortable completing the | | | | up and get your shop ready to paint. It will be much |
| necessary work. | | | | easier to get your pieces on if your car has been |
| If you insist on installing the kit yourself, there are | | | | prepared before hand. |
| some things to consider. | | | | Depending on what type of paint you're planning on |
| What color are you going to paint your body kit? | | | | using can depend on which steps you're going to |
| Where are you going to paint? | | | | have to take, but generally there are only 3. Primer, |
| How are you going to paint your body kit? | | | | color, clear coat. |
| Do you have the right tools to install the kit yourself? | | | | Primer is the foundation of a great paint job. Many |
| And are you going to paint your entire car or just | | | | body kits come pre-primered, but depending on the |
| the body kit?(Should you decide to get your car | | | | paint you're using you may need to redo the primer. |
| painted professionally, but not get the kit installed, | | | | Such as any candy or pearlescent colors. |
| skip the below steps.) | | | | Color! Yes, its pretty and can be a headache. Color |
| I personally recommend painting the kit the same | | | | paint is the only reason for a paint job. If we didn't |
| color as your car, but that's personal opinion. Body | | | | have color, we'd all be driving around in hideous |
| kits can look really sharp if they are combined with | | | | primer grey vehicles. You will spend a good deal of |
| vinyl graphics or even other custom paint work to tie | | | | time on color. If you are doing a candy, you'll spend |
| the entire car together. I recommend finding your | | | | even more time on color. There can be many |
| vehicles specific paint codes. Most of them can be | | | | variations on this step. Flash times and layer thickness |
| found through the DuPont registry or through your | | | | make or break a paint job at this point. So remember |
| local dealer. | | | | "PATIENCE!" |
| Okay. So finding a place to paint is next. Many | | | | Clear coat is another great step that can make or |
| professional paints are very temperature specific. | | | | break your look. A good clear coat will make waxing |
| Should you decide to use one of these, you'll need | | | | and just looking at your car a dream. A bad one will |
| some big equipment and some serious painting skills. | | | | look like someone tried to paint your car with nail |
| Also, for the integrity of your paint, find a dry | | | | polish. |
| environment that it virtually dust and dirt free. You | | | | My best advice is follow the instructions on your |
| will get a better smoother paint job in a clean | | | | paint and always spray at a 90 degree angle. Most |
| environment. Whether you decide to use an aerosol | | | | paints work well with a spray pattern about 6 to 7 |
| or paint gun and air compressor, a clean environment | | | | inches away from a vehicle. Always spray side to |
| is a must. You should also consider investing in a | | | | side in an over lapping pattern and never stop on one |
| throw away or "keeper" set of paint coveralls. A | | | | spot. Should you stop, you'll get high spots that will |
| great deal of dirt can be brought in on street clothes. | | | | not dry correctly and you'll have a "orange peel" paint |
| Painting is a delicate process that takes time and | | | | job. Should you have an odd piece to paint, take time |
| PATIENCE! Patience is a must and there is no | | | | to mentally pre-paint the spot. Walk your painting |
| substitute for patience when it comes to painting. | | | | route and try to follow your contours correctly. This |
| The best paint you can buy will look like crap if you | | | | is all part of that patience step. If you're going do it, |
| don't take the time and follow the instructions. | | | | do it with care and patience for the right steps. |