Today’s automotive paint is durable and resistant to stains and has a high gloss. Vehicles of today primarily utilize a two stage paint process know as base coat, clear coat. There are a number of three stage colors that have become popular. The best example is the pearl white that General Motors uses on the Cadillac. When viewed from different angles the paint color appears to change. This is due to the mid coat, which is applied after the base coat and before the clear coat. The mid coat contains pearlescent powders that cover a broad color spectrum. If you look closely, you can see the small flakes of purple, reds, blues and other colors that give the pearl look to the finish. This type of refinishing is also known as” Tri Coat” with some paint manufactures.

This three stage process drove painters crazy when attempting to match colors. Typically, when a fender replacement was needed, blending the color back into the door to achieve a proper color match was required. In preparation for the blending operation all items are removed from the door such as handles, glass, moldings and trim. The base coat or first stage was applied to the fender and partially into the door. The second stage is the application of the clear coat, which is applied in two coats over the fender and complete door.With the addition of another spraying process after the base or first stage, the blending into the door did not produce an acceptable color match. The industry had to come up with a solution to this problem. The answer required a procedure known as zone refinishing.

The same type of damage that previously required blending into the door now includes the preparation and refinishing of additional undamaged panels along the same side as the repairs. Depending on the color and location, it may be necessary to paint the entire side of a vehicle in order to achieve a proper color match. There are also custom colors that appear to change drastically when viewed from different angles. One example is changing from a rust color to a deep purple and the car actually appears to undergo a change of color as it moves towards or away from you. This is due to the addition of special pearls and xirallic effects.

Xirallic effects are aluminum oxide platelets which are then coated with metal oxides. These platelets are manufactured synthetically using a new crystallization process. The cost of this type of additive is expensive compared to typical pearl type applications. The addition of the three stage refinishing process takes considerably more time to complete. In conclusion the three stage refinishing process is here to stay and adds pleasant visual affect to the cars of today.

Great auto painting involves a series of several deliberate, detail-oriented tasks.

If executed carefully and correctly, the result is an A+ paint job that looks professional and appealing. After a well-executed paint job, the paint will feel perfectly smooth and flawless to the touch, it will appear lustrous and shiny to the eye, and will last for many years thereafter.

It is important to understand at the outset, before beginning any automotive-painting project that the ultimate result is determined by how well and thoroughly each stage is completed. One stage builds upon the other, and hasty mistakes and errors cannot be concealed, no matter how many coats of paint and clear coat you apply.

There is no point in rushing through stages, because of shoddy workmanship, however minor at any stage, will doom all further efforts, and make it pointless to continue.

Most unsatisfactory do-it-yourself paint jobs can be traced to rushing through steps and not finishing each step thoroughly and completely.

So first rule of thumb:

Take your time to do it right, and if you make a mistake, stop and correct it. It’s self-defeating to push forward without meticulous care given to each step. After all, the fundamental reason you undertook the project in the first place is because you wanted a terrific paint job you can be proud of and a car that doesn’t embarrass you.

Painting a car requires slow, fastidious execution of the following general steps:

- Sanding and repairing surface imperfections, like scratches

- Applying body filler as needed

- Sanding and more sanding, using progressively finer grades of sandpaper

- Thoroughly cleaning the entire surface to be painted

- Masking carefully all areas of the car you want to protect from paint

- Applying primer

- Applying the paint color (usually three coats)

- Applying the clear coat (usually three coats)

To accomplish the project successfully, you will need a good paint gun, a compressor, sandpaper in a variety of grades, good auto paint and clear coat, a few hand tools, clear plastic and masking tape, and some patience.

Some people get hung up on which paint gun to choose to paint their car, and waste an enormous amount of time worrying over the features and benefits of the many models of paint guns available on the market. This is a useless exercise. Any reputable brand will do and many can be purchased for around a hundred dollars. The most important consideration is to choose a paint gun that feels “right” to you, one that is comfortable in your hand.

A word of warning on paints and solvents is in order: Make certain all of these products are compatible or the results could be ugly, if not disastrous. Also, be sure the compressor is suitable for the paint gun and delivers the paint to the car’s surface correctly.

Learning how to paint cars is easy, and a way to save massive amounts of money. To get the best tips on how to do it yourself and paint your own car please read below.

Paint Protection Film, or PPF (sometimes referred to as Clear Bra), is a thermoplastic urethane film which is most often applied to the forward or leading painted surfaces of a vehicle. Originally, this type of protective film was designed for military use on helicopter rotors to protect them from sand particles, and over the years it has expanded to general aviation, racing, and finally consumer vehicles and even electronic devices such as mobile phones. Paint Protection Film has been in use on privately owned vehicles for several years now, and with good reason.

From a maintenance standpoint, PPF is an excellent investment for any vehicle. The clear coated urethane film helps preserve the paint finish while protecting surfaces vulnerable to stone chips, bug damage, abrasion, and weathering. Not only will your vehicle’s paint be preserved from these types of damages, the film will allow your paint to age naturally, and will not yellow from prolonged sun exposure. Additionally, you can clean and maintain your vehicle the same as before. The nearly invisible film can be washed and waxed just like the rest of the painted surfaces to retain that high gloss shine you expect.

These protective films are typically applied to the impact zones on vehicles parts, or otherwise vulnerable areas such as hoods, fenders, side mirrors, bumpers, grills, rocker panels, headlights covers, floodlights, car door protection, luggage areas, rear bumper decks, roof and A-pillars. Most vendors guarantee their product not to haze, yellow or peel and offer a warranty of anywhere from two to five years when properly installed. The film contains ultra-violet stabilizers to prevent discoloration or degradation of the product itself while still allowing the sun’s rays to pass through to the paint so if you do decide to remove the film your vehicle will not be two-toned, or “sunburned”. Unlike leather car bras or plastic shields, these clear protective films are practically invisible and do not substantially affect the overall appearance of your vehicle.

All things considered, a transparent protective film is a far more appealing solution to many consumers. Leather bras and bug shields do what they’re supposed to, but many who enjoy the appearance of their vehicle find that these protective items are not at all appealing. Since paint protection film is virtually invisible, the look of the vehicle is not altered in any significant way, and it performs just as good, if not better, than the alternative. It’s like a second, tougher skin for your vehicle.

Most paint protection films, once applied, are 100% safe to remove from the vehicle at any time without damage to the paint and finish underneath. It is also worth noting that no debris can get underneath the protective coat, since it adheres directly to the paint. It can be applied to any painted surface on the vehicle, and even some areas without paint, such as headlight and tail light covers. The value of the film is clear, and it’s actually cheaper in many cases to apply a protective film coat than to repaint all or a portion of your vehicle later on once it has been damaged and scratched.