The Semi-Professional Way to Repaint Your Car

Repainting your car might seem like a massive undertaking, but with the right tools, techniques, and some patience, you can achieve professional-quality results from the comfort of your garage. Eastwood, the trusted name for DIY auto enthusiasts since 1978, offers a step-by-step guide to take you through every stage of the process. Using a Fox Body Mustang as the project car, this approach is perfect for daily drivers, budget builds, or simply touching up a car to make it shine again.

Step 1: Create a Repair Plan

The first step in any repainting project is assessing the car’s condition and mapping out a plan of action. For the Fox Body Mustang, the hood had peeling clear coat and rust spots, while the passenger door showed dents and corrosion. These problem areas required stripping to bare metal, applying body filler, and priming.

Other sections, like the bumpers and quarter panels, were in much better shape and only needed sanding with 600-grit sandpaper to prepare for painting. Eastwood’s streamlined approach focuses on efficiency and practicality, mimicking the workflow of a professional production shop without going overboard on unnecessary steps.

Step 2: Make Repairs

Once the repair plan is in place, the real work begins. The first step was disassembling parts of the car to properly access the damaged areas, such as removing the door panel and mirror.

For the hood and door, rust was ground away to reveal old body filler, which was stripped completely. Tools like the Contour SCT and different grits of sandpaper prepared the surfaces for new body filler. Using a slide hammer, the team pulled out low spots in the passenger door’s metalwork, minimizing the amount of filler required.

The hood’s surface rust and pitting were stabilized with Fast Etch, a rust converter that preps the area for epoxy primer. Keeping filler layers thin and even ensures durability and a professional finish.

Step 3: Apply Primer

Priming is critical for creating a smooth, even surface that allows paint to adhere properly. For this project, Eastwood used their Optiflow roll-on epoxy primer, which is ideal for bare metal and body filler. This system is particularly garage-friendly, making it accessible for DIY enthusiasts.

After the primer cured, a guide coat was applied to highlight imperfections, and the surface was sanded with progressively finer grits—180, 220, and 320—until it was perfectly smooth. A layer of urethane primer was added to fill in any remaining flaws, setting the stage for the final coat of paint.

Step 4: Lay Down the Paint

Painting is where the transformation truly takes place. The Mustang was carefully taped and masked to prevent overspray and ensure clean edges. An OEM base coat was applied in three solid layers, with coverage checked under a sun gun for uniformity.

To finish, Eastwood’s 4:1 premium show clear coat was applied, creating a glossy, durable finish. Proper gun settings, consistent overlap techniques, and a final drop coat were crucial in achieving a smooth, professional-quality result.

Results and Final Assembly

After the paint cured, the Mustang was reassembled, and the results were stunning. The rust and peeling clear coat were replaced with a factory-matching finish that breathed new life into the car. This project demonstrated how a simplified approach could achieve impressive results without requiring a massive budget or endless time.

Inspired to Start Your Own Project?

If you’re ready to try repainting your own car, Eastwood has all the tools, supplies, and advice you need to get started.

Watch the entire process on their YouTube channel: How to Repaint a Car at Home. Explore their full range of paints and products at Eastwood.com for more DIY automotive projects.

With a little effort and guidance, you can turn your daily driver or budget build into a car that turns heads. Start your project today!