Nothing looks better on your car than a fresh paint job. Unfortunately, professional paint jobs can get expensive, so some men start considering whether they want to do it themselves. Painting your car is one of the ways you can personalize your car. But can you paint your car by yourself? Even if you can, the time, effort, and supply cost may not be worth it. Keep reading to find out whether you should paint your car yourself or give it to a professional.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Any car paint job takes time. You either have to leave your car at a shop for the professionals to spend their time on or take the time to do it yourself. Since shops can get backed up on work, it will probably take you less time to paint your car than it would take the professionals. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a time-consuming job.
You may be able to paint your car in one day if you start early and work hard, but drying time will probably push you into the next day. If you hand paint your car, you’ll have to apply about five layers, and it will be best to allow those layers to dry overnight. Even if you use professional equipment such as an air compressor that requires fewer paint layers, it’s best to allow the paint to dry overnight.
How Much Effort Do You Want To Put In?
If you don’t want to put a lot of effort into your car’s paint job, but you still want it to look good, then send it to a professional. Painting your car yourself requires a lot of effort, and unless you’re willing to commit to all that hard work, you need to let a professional handle it. But if a weekend of hard work sounds fun, then this might be the project for you.
Just keep in mind that painting your car is more intensive than other types of painting. You’ll have to sand the entire exterior of your vehicle, tape over any surfaces you don’t want to be painted, and apply multiple coats of paint. If you want to add details such as a color-shifting finish with mica powder, then you’ll need to set aside even more time for this project.
How Much Can You Spend on Supplies?
A standard professional paint job will cost you around $1,000, and depending on what supplies you want to use, your DIY paint job could cost more than that. If you’re on a strict budget, add up the cost of the equipment and supplies you want to use. Then, call shops in your area to compare the overall pricing. This way, you can make an informed decision that will allow you to keep the most money in your pocket.
One way to save on supplies is to hand paint your car instead of using more expensive equipment such as an air compressor. Hand painting will take longer and require more coats of paint than using an air compressor to spray paint onto your car, but it will be less expensive.
So can you paint your car by yourself? The short answer is yes. If you have a few days, are willing to put in the effort, and can cover the cost of equipment and supplies, you can paint your car yourself. But if your schedule, workload, or budget doesn’t have the space for a DIY paint job, it’s best to get a professional one. Regardless of how you get your car painted, it will look great in the end.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
