STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: How to Paint a Car at Home

Painting a car at home seems like an incredibly daunting task, however, with the proper guidance and the right tools, completing a DIY paint job is no problem!
PAINT GUIDE: www.eastwood.com/paints/how-t...
OEM PAINT: www.eastwood.com/paints/autom...
CONTOUR DSB: www.eastwood.com/eastwood-eli...
0:00 - Introduction
0:23 - Step 1. Initial Prep
1:24 - Step 2. Filler
4:46 - Step 3. Primer
7:43 - Step 4. Cut In
11:30 - Step 5. Paint
13:27 - Step 6. Cut and Buff
The color is Alfa 319B Grigio Antracite M.
Year 2010/2015
Chip M7-0633.1
Since 1978 Eastwood has been supplying products to the people who want to do the job right. Eastwood offers a complete line of hand tools, welders, plasma cutters & accessories, metal working tools, powder coating supplies, paint and paint guns, specialty paints and hard to find products, all for the DIY-er. Eastwood has all the tools and supplies you need to restore your car, truck or motorcycle.
How to paint a car at home! Learn every step from bare metal to color sanding and buffing. We teach you how to block sand, how to apply body filler, how to sand body filler, how to spray primer, how to spray high build primer, how to sand primer, how to spray basecoat with an HVLP paint gun, how to spray clear and how to color sand and buff to get a perfect finish. We even show you all the tools you need to paint a car.
How to paint a car yourself.

[@eastwoodco]

PAINT GUIDE: www.eastwood.com/paints/how-to-paint-a-car-at-home-easy-steps.html?+&+&+to+paint+a+car+at+home+guide OEM PAINT: www.eastwood.com/paints/automotive-finishes/oem-select-paint-make-model-year-code-mixed.html?+&+&+to+paint+a+car+OEM+paint CONTOUR DSB: www.eastwood.com/eastwood-elite-contour-dsb-dustless-sanding-block-master-kit.html?+&+&+to+paint+a+car+contour+dsb

[@MrWildwilly48]

good video but if joe average thinks he can watch this video and have these results he is going to be dissappointed

[@guysumpthin2974]

@@MrWildwilly48 every great painter started out as an “average joe” , and “Wisdom is more valuable than knowledge” - the owners manual

[@marlynbulibuli4989]

Sir can i apply for q paiter to you

[@wyattoneable]

I recently paid $6700 to have my truck painted. I thought that was a high price, but after seeing everything that goes into painting a vehicle I won't complain anymore.

[@importsstillsuck]

That's a really good price.

[@rogerstephens8980]

If they stripped it thats pretty good but if they just sand and painted it single stage thats pretty high.

[@vikassm]

I thought this video was going to be a hack, but these guys are pros! Paint at home? Not me, not in my home, not with the amount of time and effort it took to get there 🤣🤣 That $6700 looks like a really good spend!

[@garagepnkoof284]

Я крашу авто за 2касаря.

[@rogerstephens8980]

@@garagepnkoof284 sorry dont read youre language

[@bingS4]

This "How to Paint a Car at Home" video did a wonderful job convincing me that I never want to paint a car at home. It's so easy! Just do these 400+ steps each of which really requires years of experience to get a decent outcome within a reasonable timeframe.

[@kenmastersmaster]

So go flush away $10 grand for some shop to do it. Perfect time to squander your savings

[@stevenpollard5171]

This is how to do a first class job! Most home jobs I would bet are done quicker with less steps. This video is daunting to me, too. I wanted a quicker and easier method. Oh well, I am wanting to do an old truck and not a classic. I still need to save up some funds and time for doing a passable job.

[@tonybland8684]

lol. if you would like me to send you some pic of my first paint job I will. the reason I did it was the shop wanted $8.000.00 and it cost me a little less BUT I can now do it and I will not charge you what your local shop will.

[@kristijantandara1682]

Because the actual title of the video should've been "how to discourage people into thinking painting at home is way more complicated than it is". Trust me, it doesn't take nearly as much effort, knowledge or equipment to paint a car decently at home.

[@camerongallagher9544]

This is to get a professional finish, what they don’t say is you could skip sanding steps throughout, also he does say you don’t have to buff. Definitely take your time with body filler but outside of that do what you can.

[@bartsarton2212]

Great video! You guys know what you're doing! I loved the series with Kevin Tetz doing the Camaro. He's a fellow British Columbia boy, so that's what sold me on Eastwood products.

[@fredrikandersson3885]

This is the video i was seaching for all these years man, finally showing how to go about it with the whole process!!!

[@zedcar7326]

So well put together and to the point, bravo! Gives me inspiration for my Z project when the paint process comes along.....

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks! Good luck on your project.

[@PaintSociety]

Beautiful video. Beautiful editing and focus on products and procedures. Narration was on point!

[@eastwoodco]

Thank you so much!

[@fabricioemmanuelli1115]

I agree 100%

[@kenmastersmaster]

I just need to know if I should use Eastwood clear or finish 1? Which has the best uv protection for the Miami sun?

[@kanakamaoli9642]

Beautiful job, guy's. Perfection takes a lot of work. Thumbs up on this paint work.

[@boerharms2209]

this is a great guide! very clean and professional, and even adressing ways to fix mistakes

[@jgriffin9952]

Fantastic video! Mark has a way of giving confidence to do any job on a restoration! Been an Eastwood customer since the early 80s working on a 65 Corvair- wouldn't trust anyone else.

[@eastwoodco]

We love Mark!

[@8822fitzy]

You are definitely a straight forward guy. The way you described what, and how you completed each step was amazing! Your probably an amazing teacher! Project turned out amazing!

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks! We try and support the DIY person by being a reliable source of how-to information.

[@daveneilson7996]

Awesome!!! Just what i needed as i tackle my 53 GMC. Very informative and i'll be downloading the pdf. Thanks for putting this out!

[@eastwoodco]

Good luck, send us some pictures when you're done!

[@jdimeo1966]

Excellent video. Addresses all the basic questions and concerns a 1st timer would have.

[@eastwoodco]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MattPro806]

its so fun to read all the comments about how much work this is haha having worked in an autobody shop ill tell you these guys actully made it sound easier to me.

[@eastwoodco]

We try and be honest and make it approachable. Thanks for the comment.

[@eyesalooking]

I took lots of notes and saved this to my YT library. I have the conditioning tool, roll on epoxy kit and watching every painting video that I can find on YT to get ready to paint my 1985 Jeep J10 pickup. Wish me luck because I am going to need it.

[@eastwoodco]

That's great! Tag us in some progress pics. We're confident if you take your time and go step by step you can tackle this project. It helps to break it into manageable steps so you don't have overwhelmed when your Jeeps in 1000 pieces and half metal. Keep us posted!

[@drew7767]

great video i could watch these over and over

[@martiniv8924]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing 👌🏻😎

[@justinreckling643]

This video couldnt have come at a better time. Working on a 69 Mustang and planning to do paint myself. I had already been researching Eastwood for supplies and stumbled upon the PDF guide, but seeing it in action along with the “gotchas” made it way more accessible. Great resource.

[@eastwoodco]

Glad we could help!

[@lionelfelix6631]

This is the step by step detail I needed. What a GREAT video

[@eastwoodco]

Glad it was helpful!

[@diamonddetails9445]

Inspired by this, Eastwood😮 TYVM 😎💯👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@alancrossley509]

Thanks for the video, I'm busy with my 1958 MG Magnette, my arms are falling off block sanding is heavy work lol. The part that worries me is having the right place to do the spray job and an extractor fan system and dust prevention and and and...that's the issue most home DIY spraypainters face. To have the proper environment to paint the car and for it to dry without bugs, dust, overspray etc. Looks like I will now have to make a tempory spray booth!

[@rjmacay]

Perfection! 💯👌🏼

[@ModernGaming_]

Lovely job and great video!

[@Hillary4Prison]

Awesome video!

[@MrJohnylompoc]

Thank you for putting out that awesome content

[@cs2pgbi]

Too Incredible!!

[@ap6640]

such a great video, thank you!

[@juanluispaz6208]

I’m working on my 68 c10 paint job that has 3 coats of different paint jobs and This is the video I was looking for very explainable your video gave me more hype on doing it myself I know I won’t get perfect but I’ll learn from it

[@eastwoodco]

That's the spirit! Nothing more satisfying then see your hard work pay off. It's hard to get anything perfect but you can be proud of your results just the same.

[@grahamcole4240]

Looks fabulous.

[@elbassman416]

Amazing results 👏 👌 🙌 💪

[@eastwoodco]

Thank you 🙌

[@yashrd2381]

Very professional job👍🏼

[@joem6859]

Great job and video, beautiful Z, doesn't get much better than this. Hope to see the end result.

[@eastwoodco]

We're rooting for and LS to power this thing, but we'l see!

[@sand0077]

Inspirational and motivational, thank you! 🙂

[@eastwoodco]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thepreviewchannel6398]

well that's my one of two dream car over there 😍🔥

[@fabricioemmanuelli1115]

This was the best tutorial ever made!

[@btwgarage5265]

I own many Eastwood tools and the mpi250 welder keep up good work

[@danepaulsen367]

Phenomenal 💫

[@hemspear]

Great video! Explained well and all in one video! Just what i need for the classic car im building - im currently in the paint removal / rust finding process

[@eastwoodco]

Glad it helped!

[@NickRanger]

This is what I needed to watch

[@paulvitti6826]

The best explanation so far in painting a car

[@eastwoodco]

We're happy to help!

[@putrid2529]

Im surprised no one thought of that sanding block before. Genius idea.

[@t.s.haynie4197]

Great video. Thank you for showing us how to do this!

[@eastwoodco]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tomnassar5884]

Great video

[@ysitrim88]

Awesome thanks for the tutorial 😀

[@eastwoodco]

You’re welcome!

[@theguy9234]

A S30 Z. Perfect car to show!

[@tv-ll5bl]

These videos are great education for everyone, thanks👌

[@eastwoodco]

That's what we love to hear! We're happy to be a resource for you!

[@aurylynch808]

Loved your presentation. Very nice job!

[@eastwoodco]

Thank you so much!

[@locotoontv]

Really great video, most people don’t understand why getting their car painted cost so much. This is truly art. Watching these videos really motivates me in what I do .

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks for the comment! Yes it's a bunch of work, that's why breaking it into manageable steps is so important!

[@robertmuniz6469]

Just bought an inflatable booth to paint my Acura tsx thanks!!

[@pchappy2.0]

Great work and appreciate the step by step process. One thing I wish you showed more was how you handled things like those deep inset headlight areas. Obviously that is a hand sand area, and probably hand cut/buff as well. Curious if you followed the same process and if you had any backer to your sand paper and such.

[@eastwoodco]

Yes for those tight areas the standard tools don't reach in we worked by hand. You can use a soft block as a backer, or fold the paper on itself. For cutting and buffing the real move is to make sure they come out glossy the first time. You'd maybe be able to get a 3" buffer in there but it would be tight.

[@Aurora-sz1bc]

I'm not painting a car, but watched this video for fun on my day off lol. Very relaxing and good video.

[@eastwoodco]

Glad you liked it! Stay tuned we'll have another similar video coming out this Saturday!

[@PaintFlow292]

great video, i wanna try this product

[@Nonsense62365]

Wow great work!

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks a lot!

[@Austeration]

Great video, I really enjoyed this even thought it's not my usual viewing choice.

[@eastwoodco]

Great to hear!

[@factoryratgarage]

Great information.

[@davidwestbrook2664]

Excellent job! This is on the My Mechanics level, who, by the way, is in the process of restoring a 240Z as well and just prepped his for painting. I'm curious to see if there are many differences in technique. Keep up the amazing work!!

[@machineman6498]

Thank you for making this

[@eastwoodco]

No problem 😊

[@jlinkels]

Hahahaha that is a bit of understatement "You can do this at home". Excellent video about an insane number of process steps.

[@deankay4434]

At 6:00, a teachable mono ent as the fill has pulled away or feather edged. It looks pulled away that meaning it didn't stick due to sanding (Mechanical Tooth/Pressed hard into first application) or (Wasn't clean or fill had started to set up). Any air sanding after the final coat of clear, is done with a finishing sander with 3/16" orbital action, and an intermediate foam pad and kept moving starting with 1/2" (13mm) thick intermediate foam pad with 1,000 grit. Do not use a regular DA sander if if you have sags, runs or nibs. Use a 2" wooden paint stir struck and fine paper like 800-1,200 grit to remove. Once complete there finish sanders are also sold at HF, so look at specs. A regular DA Sander has a 1/4" orbital action normal sanding. Still, look for a palm sander with 3/16" orbital action being sold under specs. ASE Master Tech since 78, retired.

[@gateaccess818]

no way you used a z32 chasis for panel overlap example. lmfao, im watching this to learn to paint my freshly body worked 300zx z32..... universe is wild... thanks for info. desperately needed all in one spot. bad ass!

[@aidendelong5869]

Man I love those datsun 240z's wish I could afford one to paint myself!

[@yohannawakrim2711]

Le carrossier est très très très très fort super boulot j'apprécie beaucoup très grand merci à vous monsieur

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks for the comment! Mark did a great job on the car. Merci pour le commentaire! Mark a fait un excellent travail sur la voiture.

[@larylhuntington5398]

This is the perfect video. Wanting to paint my 57 Chevy when the bodywork is done. This shows me how. I love this video. Questions though. What exactly is a wet coat or a dry coat and what is the difference between the two? Heard them all my life but never saw the difference. Thank you for this great video.

[@eastwoodco]

Lets go in application order. A "Dry" coat is sprayed on and will have limited gloss, low reflection, and will flash quickly. A "wet" coat is applied heavier, will immediately be glossy, and will have longer flash time. It's how you want the clear to look when you're finished. Grab the guide here including a glossary of terms :www.eastwood.com/images/library/Eastwood-How-to-Paint-a-Car-color_June2023.pdf

[@larylhuntington5398]

@@eastwoodco Thank you. Been looking for that answer for a long time.

[@DAV4WSR1]

good advice thank's

[@Xquisity]

Awesome thank you! I want to learn how to paint cars and start my own business

[@eastwoodco]

You can do it!

[@taoisttiger4702]

Great video im preping to do my Nissan 240sx s14, so i was also stoked to see a choice of a Datsun for demo! Hope to see you guys drop an RB in there haha!

[@eastwoodco]

We've been pushing him towards an LS but excited to see it driving down the road no matter the engine choice!

[@taoisttiger4702]

@@eastwoodco an LS would be sick too, but such a nice long engine bay suits and I6 so nicely lol.

[@coyoteam]

The best video. God blessyou

[@speedokoterefinishnetwork4937]

Amazing video, great edits. However the only thing that makes the hair on my back stick up is wet sanding and buffing after only 2 coats of clear. This is extremely sketchy on a user error stand point (burn throughs) and also a durability stand point. To low of a film thickness with the clear and it will peel sooner than later

[@rogerstephens8980]

Depends on what clear if you're using a 2 to one high solid expensive clear you get 40 percent urethane a 4 to 1 maby 20 percent urethane cheaper but you need 4 coats to get the same build up . I wouldn't trust 4to1 much about 3 to 5 years. But its easier to spray. Thunder road auto body i use 2 to 1 matrix 3 coats.

[@speedokoterefinishnetwork4937]

@@rogerstephens8980 yea good point 2 coats of a high solids might be ok. Personally I do about 3-4 coats of high solids if I plan to cut and buff.

[@rogerstephens8980]

@@speedokoterefinishnetwork4937 I used to use ppg until I had some cars start peeling and it darkened youre blend on light colors there ppg s solution was to only put 1 coat of clear on youre blend. I don't use ppg any more.

[@rogerstephens8980]

@@speedokoterefinishnetwork4937 I am having trouble getting the matrix 2 t01 I use another on didn'tike it much what do you use . Ther is a shortage of urethane because the government created a shortage of oil.

[@kenmastersmaster]

You need 2 mil to prevent burn through. I guess Eastwood clear is so cheap you can easily put 3-4 coats if you plan to cut and compound? What do you think of finish 1?

[@jimzivny1554]

Good video, don't forget patience!

[@eastwoodco]

Key ingredient!

[@joshhobday3123]

Damn! Beautiful! I know mine won’t look like this lol

[@user-kk3vh5yd4w]

fantastic video!! what paint code was used?

[@jameschuke4104]

Great guy

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Step 1: have a big, clean garage with lots of tools Step 2: have a great car to start with Step 3: have a LOT of money for parts and supplies Step 4: have plenty of time to work

[@eastwoodco]

Well Car, time, and tools are definitely going to be needed for any project. This car was a basket case when we got it. It got new door skins, lower 1/4 panels, and a ton of metal work. As far as money our step-by-step process will save you THOUSANDS over dropping it off at a shop.

[@4skully]

I been busy but will be ordering the dsb dust free apologies just need to get things all set before I get it

[@matteotrinel9962]

Merci mymechanics!!!

[@kb1cki]

You went above and beyond what any body shop would do

[@eastwoodco]

Well our goal is to show you the right way, if you want to modify the steps or don't think they're necessary that's up to you.

[@ateeqcheemayoutube7163]

Nice❤❤❤

[@wseejattan]

As a novice ,this was very clear.

[@eastwoodco]

I'm glad you found the video helpful, even as a novice! Keep watching and learning, and you'll become an expert in no time.

[@gomez2724]

I'm not sure why a lot of online painter say you don't/can't block epoxy primer, I followed Marks info and it came out great. I assume it's because they mean you can't block it when it first dries, you DO have to wait a couple three days then it blocks like they did in the video.

[@99fxr68]

I did a single stage polyurethane in my garage on my Toyota pickup...I wish I would've spent more time on body filler and glaze or whatever...I could've spent WAY more time on the body work, but it went from a 1/10 paint job to about a 4.5/10 paint job. 😂😂😂 Im gonna do my other pickup next but do WAY more body work and paint with a 2 stage. hopefully I'll get it 5/10 🤣 You made this look easy.😁

[@JustAnotherAsianGuy2]

nice .... i like it ..... good job

[@eastwoodco]

Thank you very much

[@anthonydenn4345]

Amazing process from start to finish. I suppose you just need to focus on getting each step right, trying not to get overly anxious and ahead of yourself.

[@eastwoodco]

EXACTLY!

[@MiyamotoMusashi9]

I am doing this at home ,I'm 19 years in on the project and almost ready for primer 😂 anyone else with me?

[@eastwoodco]

Haha we get it - it's a lot of work, but we break the steps out for you to make it more approachable and easy to follow. Good luck on your build!

[@luizalbertorodrigues4560]

The best

[@pinoy.vehiclepainterca]

nice job

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks!

[@ozscorpio7]

Paint car at home video but it is actually more professional and better results than most paint shops around my country.

[@600miles]

14:22 3M makes a semi rigid squeegee we use to quickly remove the water during wet sanding.

[@kenmastersmaster]

Eastwood killing it with this diy guide.... And they offer basecoat online??? Amazing. I just need to figure out what guns and compressor to get, and if they mix midcoats as well?

[@eyesalooking]

They sell a compressor.

[@eastwoodco]

We painted this using the CC500 and yes using our OEM Basecoat is available in tri-coat/pearl applications. Check out the Shelby Cobra we did using that system as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYi8pHqon7SLb9U

[@yldznoyundunyas623]

ıts a ımazıng job ... thank you boss

[@eastwoodco]

You are welcome

[@johnreagan4782]

Great video and presentation. I love the color. What is the OEM Paint code?

[@eastwoodco]

The color is Alfa 319B Grigio Antracite M. Year 2010/2015 Chip M7-0633.1

[@KidouTenshi]

They did it... They finished sanding that door... I'm so proud...

[@stevehamilton3181]

Nice. Between this and another channel, “My Mechanics”, I am in 240 heaven.

[@eastwoodco]

Right on!

[@BradRandle]

This may be a dumb question, but if all the paint has been stripped, does the bottom of the car and the floor or roof type areas have to be painted also? I'm planning on dipping my 68 Mustang, and I have absolutely no idea where to start on paint and body work. Love the video!

[@Chase-jc7rx]

The whole outside excluding the bottom should be worked if painting and they explain the jams and cutting in the video so you should be good there

[@dylbrieee]

A lot more work than I thought damn

[@eastwoodco]

It is a lot of work but if you break it down into steps it's not so daunting. Take your time, follow these steps, and bite off a bit at a time and YOU can do it.

[@lyoovue5223]

VERY NICE 😍👍💪💯💯💯💯

[@eastwoodco]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Rick-tb4so]

Outstanding video, you had panels removed would there be advantage to painting them off the car?

[@eastwoodco]

Watch the "Cut In" section again at 7:45 to 13:26. You can blow the car apart and paint it all separate if you have the room and time to do so. You don't have to worry about taped edges that way but you need more room and booth cycles. If you're doing a two tone it gets complicated to match.

[@nilla003]

I want to see you making the door skin!!

[@eastwoodco]

We have some patch panel stuff for a door skin being created here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJe2YoenbtmthrM

[@yikalogebrehiwet4016]

Very impressive good job. Do you have any courses class brother.?

[@eastwoodco]

Thanks! No courses but we have videos such as these AND The Garage Built by Eastwood garage.eastwood.com/ that has a TON of technical articles and various projects.

[@KiNG-fr5ib]

DAMN that door is wavy @15:45

[@edwardroke3949]

PERFECT