You can choose three car painting options: car spraying, paint roller, and brush painting.

In brush painting your car, there are a lot of preparations you have to make to have the best result. You also have to consider a lot of things to get it done.

We will explain through this article all you need to learn about painting your car using a paintbrush and whether it is good!

What Is Brush Painting?

Brush painting is when you utilize a paintbrush to apply coats of paint to your car.

With brush painting, you can pick more colors or make a customized color by just mixing the paints. Brush painting can have good results when you use tools that are high quality.

Usually, the paintbrush applies a thin coat; therefore, the angled brush works excellently for the best results.

Angled brush allows you to paint detailed areas of your car that have specifications.

Brush Painting Preparation

Before you grab your brush to paint your car, you must consider the preparation first.

Understanding the preparation for brush painting will help you decide whether to DIY or let the pro do the work for you.

Here’s how you prepare before brushing paint on your car:

Choose a Suitable Environment to Paint Your Car

You have to find an ideal place where you’re going to park your car for painting time. Parking in a secluded area could be better.

If you want your paint result to be good, you should avoid dusty or dirty places that may ruin your paintwork.

If you are in an open area, debris or leaves might fall onto your car, leaving a mark on the paint.

A paint booth area is good, or if you don’t have it, the garage will work fine as long as it is not dusty.

Choose Paint Color

Of course, before painting your car, you must choose a color according to your preference.

Make sure that you have enough paint of that color to paint your whole car, or else the result might look uneven, or you can’t finish painting at all.

Cover the Parts of the Car You Don’t Want to Paint

Next is to cover those parts of your car you don’t want to paint, such as headlights, mirrors, and every component that is not included to paint.

You can use plastic or tape to cover those parts to ensure they won’t be stained while you paint.

Or, to ensure that they won’t be tainted, you can dismantle those parts as much as possible.

Check the Existing Paint Layer

You must also check the existing paint layer to see any damage. If you find any damage, you must repair them as much as possible, or it will be visible later after painting.

It would be best to fill or prime those damaged areas before painting.

Sand Lacquer Layer

Another thing is to sand those lacquer layers with 1200-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface you will paint.

Sanding will make the new paint color stick; otherwise, it will not hold when you paint a smooth surface.

The paint will flake and peel in no time; roughness is needed to provide traction for the color to stick in place.

Choose Brush Quality

When you paint your car using a brush, you must consider the brush quality.

Make sure to buy high-density foam brushes; they hold the paint very well and avoid residual brush strokes.

An Angled brush works well in cutting along edges and straight lines, so it will be good to use in painting your car and holds the paint very well.

Please don’t use cheap brushes as their bristles might keep losing while you paint, which might ruin your paintwork.

Inform the Registration Authority if You Changed the Color

You must inform the registration authority if you changed your car color.

It has to be entered in your vehicle document, so you must abide by the rules, but it is not required if it is the same color.

Things to Consider In Brush Painting Your Car

Now that you know how to prepare your car before painting, you must also know the things you should consider for your guidance before you DIY.

Ensure Your Safety

You must use proper safety gear, such as full-length clothes or coveralls, a painter’s mask, and eye protection when you paint your cars.

Even when you start sanding, you must wear eye protection to avoid particles getting in your eyes that might irritate you.

Painter’s mask to ensure you will not inhale the toxic chemical from the paint that may harm your respiratory.

Maintain Your Painting Stroke

You must paint your car in the same direction if you want better results. You can paint it from top to bottom and do it repeatedly until you are done.

You should keep your painting stroke the same if you want a pleasing result.

Have Enough Budget

It would be best if you had enough budget for your materials, such as the brush, paints, and other tools needed.

Especially the color, you must have enough of it before starting, so you can work continuously.

You don’t use a single paint only; you need primer and coating to have the best result, and it needs to have enough budget.

Time Commitment

If you are committed to DIY, you should have enough spare time. Brush painting your car is a long project commitment; you must work slowly and carefully to have the best possible result.

You can’t rush it, or else you can’t get the new look of your car that you ever wanted.

Hand painting a car takes 3-4 days in a row as it needs the first coat before the final coat application.

The first coat needs to be dried well before applying the final coating, which requires several hours of drying.

Are You Ready to DIY?

After taking all the considerations and picturing out the brush painting preparation of your car, are you ready enough to do it?

The level of this job is difficult, and if you are not a master in DIY things, it might take you a few more days to finish it.

The only thing that makes brush painting advantageous is that you can customize color, and the paint is a bit cheaper than spray paint per foot of coverage.

Therefore, it needs careful consideration if you are going to do it.

Conclusion

Painting your car using a brush is indeed a difficult job. You have to consider a lot of things, but if you have a lot of time to spend on it, it would be an enjoyable project to do so.

If you love DIY, it would be a great experience to paint your car using a brush instead of spray paint or a roller.

However, if you are busy and cannot commit time, calling a pro would be your best option to give your car a new look. 

Is it good to use a brush to paint your car? The answer depends on your preference.

Patrick started his love affair with cars in his childhood. Over the years, he claims a sturdy hold on his driving skills, along with a thorough understanding of cars. We can expect some interesting, holistic, and pleasurable blogs with his flair for writing and his love for cars.

Being a car enthusiast, Patrick has experience comprising of two decades in which he has ridden some of the meanest and strongest machines in the automotive industry. His previous avatars include an automotive professional, photographer, and journalist, and you will certainly experience the roundness of experience in his piece on this site.

In his second decade of reviewing cars and analyzing tools, Patrick is all set to give you convincing, reliable, and the latest information regarding what’s happening in the automotive industry. Currently, he owns a BMW Z3 but cannot get his eyes off Aston Martin DB5. He is a car enthusiast; he loves cooking and listening to music, especially jazz. Here are some of the pieces written by our ace author.

The post Brush Painting a Car – Is It a Good Idea? appeared first on Car Super Care.

Car emblem paint looks great when they are new, shiny, and in good shape. Or sometimes they look so bright that they will not suit your preference.

Painting a car emblem is a straightforward process when you do it properly.

If you are looking for a guide on how to paint a car emblem an easy way, you’ve found the right place. We will break down the step-by-step process of how to do it.

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Paint a Car Emblem Without Removing Them

You can paint your car emblem with two options which are to paint using Spray paint (aerosol based) or using plasti-dip. Choose what will suit you best or if you are comfortable with DIY rather than letting the pro do it.

Paint Using Aerosol or Spray Paints

Before you start painting your car emblem, here are the materials you need to do it:

• All-purpose cleaner
• A piece of cloth or towel
• Spray paint
• Paint sealer
• Primer sealer
• Double-sided tape, plastic, or newspaper
• 180,220, 400, 1,000-1,500 Grit-Sandpaper
• Toothpick
• Scissor

Here’s the Step-By-Step Guide on How to Paint Your Car Emblem:

1. Clean your car emblem using the all-purpose cleaner and a cloth or towel. Wipe the dirt and make sure to clean it properly.
2. Then cover the areas you don’t want to paint using plastic, painter’s tape, or newspaper. Ensure that you cover those areas you don’t want to paint and leave the emblem only to avoid staining your car.
3. After covering the areas, you don’t want to paint, use grit sandpaper and sand the emblem until it is dull and flat without any reflections. To have a better result, sand in one direction using the same force to ensure the results are even.
4. Wipe off the grit residues using a cloth or towel and clean the emblem area properly.
5. Spray the light coat primer on the emblem’s exterior. Leave it for a minute or so to dry; apply two or three solid coats of primer once dried. Then, let it dry for an hour.
6. Once the primer coating dries, apply the paint sealer. Let it dry for several hours or stay overnight for better results.
7. After the sealer is dry, apply your main paint color. It needs at least two heavy coats; let it dry for several hours.
8. Once your main paint color dries, apply another sealer paint and let it dry.
9. Then remove the plastic cover, tape, or newspaper and wet sand your emblem with 400-grit sandpaper. For smoother results, use 1,000-grit and then 1,500-grit sandpaper.
10. You can use a toothpick to remove those unwanted coats to make the letters visible and peel off the double-sided tape for the inside part of the emblem.
11. Enjoy your newly painted car emblem!

Plasti-Dip Spray Car Emblem Painting

Another way to paint our car emblem is to use plasti-dip spray.

Here are the materials you need:

• All-purpose cleaner
• A cloth or microfiber towel
• A Toothpick
• Painters tape
• Plastic or newspaper
• Scissor
• Pasti-dip spray

Here’s How You Apply Plasti-Dip on Your Car Emblem:

1. Clean your car emblem first using the all-purpose cleaner and the microfiber towel. Make sure to remove all the dirt.
2. Cut out the plastic, tape, or newspaper using scissors and start covering the area you don’t want to paint. Cover the area properly to avoid staining your car, and the more you cover, the lesser you peel off after the application.
3. Once you’ve covered, use the scissors and cut a little hole enough to show the emblem.
4. Then cut a piece of tape and put it on the opening area of the hole you cut to ensure the plasti-dip won’t penetrate your car’s body. Put the tape on every edge of the emblem.
5. After covering up, get the plasti-dip and shake it well, then spray a little to test it out.
6. Once tested, begin spraying on your car’s emblem. Make sure it is evenly applied.
7. Allow the first coat to dry for five to 10 minutes.
8. Then redo the process eight to ten times.
9. Once the plasti-dip is dried thoroughly, slowly remove the cover plastic, you attach to the vehicle.
10. Then, remove the tape cover carefully on the edges of the emblem. The plasti-dip must peel off easily.
11. Then use a toothpick to remove the plasti-dip on the emblem edges; make sure you do it carefully to make the letters visible and clean.
12. That’s it! You now have a newly painted car emblem.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Car Emblem

The cost of painting your car emblem will vary on how much the prices of the materials you used. Such as spray paint, primer sealer, paint seller, tapes, plastic and cloth towel, etc.

Since prices vary whether you shop for those materials in an actual store or an online purchase. For a better cost calculation, it is best to conduct price canvassing first of the materials you will use before you make a purchase.

Or you can find a DIY peelable emblem car paint kit on Amazon that costs around $62+ to $120+, depending on the variation.

Usually, spray paint costs $26+ each on Amazon, while plasti-dip spray costs $18+ per 11oz and will cost more depending on ounces.

Just head to Amazon or the nearest shop in your place to have a proper calculation of painting your car emblem’s cost.

Things to Consider Before Painting Your Car Emblem

Before you do car emblem painting, you should consider these things first;

Asses Your Car Emblem Condition

Before you paint your car emblem, asses if it needs to be painted. Does it look dull? Faded? Or too shiny?

Time Involvement and Budget

Make sure you have enough time and don’t have to drive on the scheduled day to paint your car emblem for better results, as it needs to be dry and has a repetitive process. Also, ensure that you have enough budget for the materials required.

Do Budget Estimation First

To ensure you have enough budget for painting your car emblem, do a budget estimation first so you will have clear ideas of how much you’ll spend.

Are You Sure to DIY?

Make sure you are well prepared to DIY on painting your car emblem. If not, let the pro do it to avoid damaging your car. If you are not an expert in DIY better, leave it to an expert.

In Conclusion

Before you decide on painting your car emblem according to your preference, ensure that you asses its situation first. If it needs painting or not, ensure you are doing the right thing instead of ruining your car emblem’s appearance.

Once you’ve assessed your car emblem situation and considered the things needed, you can follow the easy steps we’ve provided. Following the steps carefully without neglecting them is essential to have better results in painting your car emblem.

You have to be extra careful since you will not remove it from the car to avoid any damage. Enjoy DIY with those guides!

James has been a car enthusiast since his childhood when he learned the differences between a ford and a chevy from his father. He loves to drive and restore old cars with a special drive for Italian marvels. Currently, he has a 1968 Alfa Romeo. He has studied aeronautics and civil aviation in his college and still gets smitten by Galant SS and Lancer GSR.

He is a New York-based product training director working with a giant automotive retailer. He loves to review and uncover the vehicles and their fascinating stories. He believes in keeping it legitimate with a keen passion for research on the latest technological upgrades in cars. While reading his articles or blogs, you can sense the extensive research and dedication backing the piece of text. He loves fried chicken, music, and spending quality time with his pet dog.

The post How to Paint a Car Emblems – Full Guide appeared first on Car Super Care.

White cars are very special, and when there is a single rust stain on them, the rust becomes so obvious and bothersome.

Rust stains are unpleasant. You will start wondering what you can do to remove it when they are on your white car paint.

However, rust stains can be difficult to remove, but a few techniques can help. In this post, we’ll give detailed information on how to remove rust stains from white car paint. Continue reading to learn more.

Use Aerosol or Liquid Rust Remover

Applying aerosol on the surface of the rust stain is one of the easiest ways you can remove rust stain on your white car paint.

This method is safe and does not expose your white car to any danger. Here is a simple guide on how you can use aerosol or liquid rust remover.

Tools: Painter or masking tape for cars, Aerosol or liquid rust remover, clean cloth, grease and wax remover soap, and Primer.

Step 1: Use Painter’s Tape to Cover Areas You Want to Protect

When you want to remove rust stains from your white car, there are some places that you don’t want to stain while doing that.

You need a painter or masking tape for the car to mask off this area. This tape will serve as protection for other parts of your car.

Step 2: Use an Aerosol or Liquid Rust Remover

Apply aerosol or liquid rust remover on the rust stain surface. You need to follow the instruction on the bottle when using this rust remover.

Then, let the product sit for a few minutes on the surface of the white car. Use a clean rag to remove the product and use sandpaper to remove any rust stain left.

Step 3: Clean the Surface of the Car

Clean the white car’s surface using grease and wax removal soap. Spray three coats of primer to prevent the target area from rusting in the future. Allow it to dry naturally for one hour.

Your white car should be rust-free now! However, if you don’t feel comfortable with this method, here is another way to remove a rust stain on white car paint.

Use Household Products

Using household products is another way you can use to get rid of a rust stain on your white car paint. Here is some simple DIY step you can follow:

Scrub Rust Part With a Hard Brush and Detergent

This can help get rid of any rust on the surface of the white car paint without hurting the paint. You can use a plastic brush or steel wool.

Use water and dish soap to scrub the area until the rust is gone. Before you paint or seal the area, make sure it is completely dry.

Use Dish Soap and Potato to Rub the Area

If the white paint on the car is delicate or you are concerned about scratching, cut a potato in half and soak it in dish soap.

After that, apply the diced potato to the painted surface to eliminate rust. After removing the top layer of the potato, you can re-dip it in soap and rub the damaged area until the rust is gone.

Use Sandpaper

Sandpaper can also be used to get rid of the rust stain on white car paint. Use sandpaper with very fine or medium-grit paper to avoid scratching the painted surface.

Even if you are really cautious, you will almost certainly need to touch up the paint later. Wear protective goggles at all times to protect your eyes from sandpaper.

If this technique is not good enough, here is another method you can use to remove rust from your white car paint.

Use Baking Soda

This is another method in this article you can use if you do not like any of the above. This method is easy to follow, and you should have your white car free from rust in a few minutes.

Materials needed: Water, baking soda, sponge or brush, and soap.

Step 1: Mix the Soda

The first thing you need to do is mix the baking soda in water. There is no measurement for this. You just need to mix a reasonable quantity of water and baking soda together.

Step 2: Apply the Solution on the Rusted Surface

After mixing the baking soda with water, you need to use a sponge or brush to apply it to the rusted surface.

Apply the solution softly and gently over the surface of the rust stain. You do not want to add further damage to your car, so you need to be very careful doing this.

Step 3: Clean the Surface

Now, you need to clean the surface. To clean the car, you will only need a small amount of detergent and a significant amount of water. After that, clean it with a detergent until all the stains have vanished.

These are the four simple techniques for removing rust stains. You can also use mild acidic items such as lemons to break down the rust particles and remove them from the car.

If you discover rust stains on your car, put the lemon liquid over the stains and wait a few minutes for it to dry. After a few minutes, wash it off to erase the rust stain.

Tips to Prevent Rust

One of the most common problems that white car owners have to deal with is rust. A car’s body can rust for several reasons, such as being exposed to water, salt, or chemicals.

If you live in a place where rust is common, you should take the following measure to keep it from happening to your car.

• Clean your car frequently. This will get rid of any dirt, salt, or other things that could make the metal rust.
• Wax your car regularly. This will make a barrier between the paint and the outside air, which will help keep rust from happening.
• Put your car in a garage or someplace covered. This will keep it from getting rusty and protect it from the weather.
• Fix any paint that is chipped or scratched right away. This will keep water from getting into the metal, which would cause it to rust.
• Check for rust often, and if you see any signs, take action immediately.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, rust stains are notoriously difficult to remove and can make your white car look unattractive.

However, if you put in a little bit of effort and use the appropriate materials, you should be able to eliminate rust stains. And return the paint on your white car to its previous state.

There are a few distinct approaches that you may use to eliminate rust stains from the paint of your white car.

Sandpaper, baking soda, or a rust remover are some options for removing rust. Above in this post is detailed information on various methods you can apply.

However, if the rust stain is very noticeable, you may need to give that section of your car a new coat of paint.

With comprehensive experience in writing exceptional quality articles and blogs about cars and related stuff, Daniel is one of the finest bloggers and a hardcore car lover we have. He is an ASE certified technician with an across-the-board experience of 10 years in the industry. He could not help tinkering with anything he got his hands on from a young age, which led to his remarkable career in the automotive repair industry.

When he is not under any hood, you can find him on the water or in the woods to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He has been writing for multiple sectors and is a regular contributor to several publications.

He currently owns a Nissan 300ZX TT and a Pearl Yellow but plans to upgrade it to 550 HP. His favorites include the Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT, but for him, the Ferrari 360 Spider is one of the sexiest cars that exists to date.

Being an avid world traveler, he has spent most of his time analyzing the automotive markets, latest technology, and local favorites to enhance his knowledge base. He is currently living in North Caroline, where it’s all about food and coffee and, of course, cars.

The post How to Remove Rust Stains From White Car Paint appeared first on Car Super Care.

They even spare some time to clean them regularly. On the other hand, some don’t mind having smokey coked-up tips; the darker the color, the better.

Some cars come with shinny stainless or chrome exhausts that develop soot that dulls the steel after washing.

Most car users are unsure whether to apply powder or ceramic coating on their exhaust tips. They often opt for powder coating, which is available in various colors.

However, most car owners prefer a darker theme to contrast the chrome, such as matte black, gloss black, or satin black.

Powder Coating Procedure

Taking Off The Exhaust Tips

The best way to work on your exhaust tips is to remove them from the exhaust pipes.

Unfortunately, some cars have the tips physically attached to the tailpipes or spot-welded at the top and bottom.

If this is your case, you will need to do a lot of masking. Most exhaust tips are held together by spring clips.

Removing exhaust tips requires that you get behind them and apply some WD40 where they lock with the exhaust pipes.

They should easily slide off when you pull them. If the tips feel stuck, you can tap at the back with a rubber mallet to make them loose enough to wiggle off.

Cleaning Of Exhaust Tips

Before powder coating your exhaust tips, you need to clean and polish them up. Preparation is crucial as it provides a surface that allows the coat to adhere evenly.

You can brush the exhaust tips with some sandpaper. And before spraying the coat on the exhaust tip, you must remove the grease on the surface.

After degreasing, the exhaust tips are then chemically cleaned to prepare the surface for an electrostatic paint coating.

Before powder coating, you will need to bead blast the chrome tips. Bead blasting helps a lot to achieve a uniform surface finish.

You can also prepare the surface of a chrome exhaust tip by sandblasting.

Painting With Electrostatic Spray

A particular spray gun is used when applying a powder coat to the exhaust tip.

The powder and the tips are positively and negatively electrostatically charged, respectively. The opposite charges allow the coat to adhere to the exhaust tips.

Next, the powder-coated tips are taken to the oven, where they are baked for a specific time.

Curing

Unlike regular paint, powder coating does not dry on its own at room temperature. It must be heated up in an oven and put through a curing process.

Depending on the powder type, powder coating cures at a temperature range between 350 and 450°F over 10 to 15 minutes.

The exhaust tips get hot, so when selecting your coat, go with a high-temp powdered coat for it to last longer.

Each coating powder comes with a specific curing process and values (dwell time and temperature).

Therefore, the coating shop needs to use the correct cure schedule to avoid cases of under or over-curing.

A powder-coated product’s finish quality and performance rely on the curing process (cure schedule).

The powder coating’s final properties rely on the cure schedule, which is available in four stages: melting, flowing, crosslinking, and curing.

The powder melts, and the components (binders, resins, and pigments) fuse at the tips.

During these stages, time, temperature, and rate of temperature change need to be controlled to achieve the best coating quality.

What Is The Cost Of Powder Coating Exhaust Tips?

The cost of powder coating is relatively minimal and can be similar to other options such as ceramic coating.

The price of powder coating exhaust tips ranges from one state to another. For the two exhaust tips, it shouldn’t cost you more than $100.

You will pay more if the tips are welded to the exhaust pipes and need to be removed before powder coated.

Is It Worth It?

Is powder coating exhaust tips worth it? The answer to this question depends on the type of powder coat you select.

The best thing about powder coating exhaust tips is that you have a vast selection of finishes or colors (grey, white, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, purple, and pink).

The curing schedule properties of the finished product should give you the limitations of the amount of heat that the powder coating will hold.

If the exhaust tips get pretty hot, beyond the curing temperature, then they will start to peel off over time.

Depending on your driving and the type of car, the average temperature of exhaust pipes usually lies between 400 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

The temperatures can go up to as high as 1000 ° Fahrenheit and as low as 200 ° Fahrenheit.

To be safe, you will need to determine how hot your car exhaust tips get before powder coating them.

You can use an infrared (IR) thermometer to capture the temperature readings at the exhaust tips.

It is important to note that the reflection of a shiny surface can throw off the readings by at least 100–150 degrees Fahrenheit.

The exhaust system setup will also determine the amount of temperature that reaches the tips.

On the other hand, the system’s layout will depend on your vehicle’s make—the shorter the tailpipes, the hotter the tips.

Since the local shop will powder coat your exhaust tips for a fair price, it is worth trying. The coating should be fine since the tips do not get as hot as the other parts.

Generally, the exhaust tips are the coolest parts of the exhaust system.

Bonus Tips

Your main concern for powder coating exhaust tips is heat durability.

So, if you wish to proceed with this finishing, you would have to select a powder coat with the highest curing schedule.

It means you should opt for a solution that provides effective heat resistance.

You will be better off if you can find one that can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some high-temp powder coats can withstand temperatures ranging from 800 to 1000 °F.

Feel free to ask your local shop if they have higher-temperature powder available.

However, you tend to have a limited color selection with a high-temperature powder coating.

Most of the pigments used in the formulation of standard powder coatings fail to maintain their integrity at high temperatures.

The most common colors under high-temp powder coats are black and silver.

Take Away

Powder coating exhaust tips allow you to express your personality in one of the vehicle’s most gleaming areas.

You must choose your coating carefully to ensure that it lasts a long time and matches your finishing and wheels.

Unless you are running nitrous, powder coating should work fine on your exhaust tips. Furthermore, you’ll need to find a powder coater that is good at the trade.

James has been a car enthusiast since his childhood when he learned the differences between a ford and a chevy from his father. He loves to drive and restore old cars with a special drive for Italian marvels. Currently, he has a 1968 Alfa Romeo. He has studied aeronautics and civil aviation in his college and still gets smitten by Galant SS and Lancer GSR.

He is a New York-based product training director working with a giant automotive retailer. He loves to review and uncover the vehicles and their fascinating stories. He believes in keeping it legitimate with a keen passion for research on the latest technological upgrades in cars. While reading his articles or blogs, you can sense the extensive research and dedication backing the piece of text. He loves fried chicken, music, and spending quality time with his pet dog.

The post Powder Coating Exhaust Tips – All You Need to Know appeared first on Car Super Care.

Many people think that only expensive cars have blackout headlights. But this is not true – you can have them too, regardless of your vehicle’s year and model.

So, if you want to know more about how to blackout headlight, you are at the right place because, in this article, we will discuss everything there is to know about the blackout headlight.

Let’s begin.

DIY Headlight Blackout

The blackout headlights are nothing but just black headlights. It is simple customization where the entire lens of the headlight is tinted black.

The whole housing of the light is also made black so that everything matches one another.

It is usually done by tinting the headlights or merely wrapping them in the vinyl sheets of the desired color.

Generally, young car owners often choose to paint over their headlights to enhance the look of their cars.

They usually choose a contrasting color that is attractive and matches the color of their vehicles. Cars with blacked-out headlights stand out among the rest.

Modifying the lights on your car can give you a great look while also providing some safety benefits.

The Blackout layer shields the headlight cover from different scratches and damage.

It also prevents the sun’s UV rays from fading the shine of headlights and protects it from getting yellow over time.

Methodology To Blackout Headlights

Tinting headlights seems like a simple job when you first imagine it, but many people are intimidated by the task once they try to do it.

Basic knowledge of mechanics and materials is needed, and specialized tools like hairdryers and heat guns can use.

However, you can manage to perform it under the light of proper guidance and technique.

Tools Required

Working on your car without a few essential tools can be frustrating. A simple function such as blacking out a headlight, for instance, requires the right equipment.

Before you get started, you’ll need to gather all the right tools and materials.

Following are the necessary tools we need to acquire to blackout headlights.

• Screwdriver
• Spanner or Wrench
• Heat Gun
• Sandpaper
• Masking Tape
• Paint (any desired color plus primer, base coat, and clear coat)
• Spray Gun

Disassembling

You will need to open up the headlight assembly to work on it. We’ll go step by step through how to do that down below:

Remove The Bumper

We’ll start by removing the bumper. We’ve found that sometimes bumpers, designed to hold a car’s headlights in place, can prevent you from taking off the headlights.

So we’ll need to remove the bumper first. We’ll use a wrench to loosen—or “unbolt”—the bolts that hold it in place, and then we’ll pull the bumper off and take it apart.

Take Off The Headlights From The Car

Now that we’ve pulled off the bumper, remove the headlights. We will need a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the headlight on.

Each headlight has wires that connect it to the vehicle’s electrical system. A connector connects these wires to the lights so you can remove them quickly.

Once we unplug this connector, we can take out the light.

Remove The Housing Of Headlights

The most challenging part is to remove its housing, which is a transparent case enclosing the light lenses.

This housing is firmly attached to the headlight with the help of glue.

We will use a heat gun to melt glue and loosen its grip. After a while, the bond will get weak, and the housing will separate.

Separate The Lenses Or Bulbs

Paint reduces the illumination of lenses and distorts them. Therefore, smoothly remove the light lenses from the headlights to prevent color stains and marks.

Any stain or streak of paint can dim the headlight bulbs.

Cleaning And Sanding

After disassembling all headlight parts, observe each piece thoroughly that you want to paint.

If you notice any dirt or corrosion on any component, consider cleaning that part.

Removing the decay is important because the paint layer does not last long on the corroded object.

You can remove the corrosion with the help of sandpapers. To dismiss the decay, you also need to rub the sandpapers on the affected point.

Moreover, sandpapers remove the painted layer from the objects and charge the surface to prepare it for new paint.

Sanding clears the surface of an object and makes it a little rough. This rough surface allows the new layer of paint to stick firmly.

Apply The Masking Tape And Create Your Pattern

Masking tape is generally a thin layered tape with more minor adhesive characteristics than regular ones.

A user can remove it conveniently after application, and it does not leave any mark behind. Painter’s tape is another name for the masking tape.

Therefore, we will apply the masking tape to the areas not meant to paint.

You can create different patterns and designs by using this tape to keep that designed surface unpainted.

Warning Note

Do not remove the painter’s tape unless the paints get completely dry.

Applying The Spray Paint

After masking off and forming the required patterns, we will spray the paint.

Fill the spray gun tank with the desired color and spread it uniformly on the headlight parts. Before painting, ensure to put on a safety dress like gloves, face masks, etc.

Select a ventilated place to color the objects because the paint contains VOC (volatile organic compounds).

These compounds are fatal and can cause respiratory problems.

A place with proper airflow diffuses this toxic compound into space and reduce their presence in that area.

Allow The Paint To Dry

Try to apply just two layers of paint because coating more paint layers can blur the light, stopping it from penetrating these dense layers.

Let the layer dry completely before coating the second one. You can touch the painted object to check whether it has dried up or not.

You can dry the painted objects by placing them in the sunlight. The scorching heat of the sun will dry this painted layer more quickly.

You can also use a heat gun or hairdryer to achieve this task, especially in winters.

Once the paint is fully dry, we will remove the masking tape carefully.

Assembling And Final Thoughts

Time to put everything back together. First, grab your screwdriver or socket wrench and begin.

Paint has been applied, so you’ll be able to identify which screw goes where (use the exploded diagram as a guide).

Attach all the components properly and ensure the headlights are working correctly by switching them on.

Polish the car with car wax, and see how great it looks with new headlights!

The Takeaway

Blacking out a car’s headlight is a simple task that requires essential tools and DIY skills. You can do this for a custom look or conceal damage on your headlights.

Blackout headlights are also good at concealing damage to your vehicle’s headlights. It could be scratches, rock chips, cracks, and other damage.

It’s cheaper than getting a replacement part or repairing it and makes your car look cleaner overall.​

Patrick started his love affair with cars in his childhood. Over the years, he claims a sturdy hold on his driving skills, along with a thorough understanding of cars. We can expect some interesting, holistic, and pleasurable blogs with his flair for writing and his love for cars.

Being a car enthusiast, Patrick has experience comprising of two decades in which he has ridden some of the meanest and strongest machines in the automotive industry. His previous avatars include an automotive professional, photographer, and journalist, and you will certainly experience the roundness of experience in his piece on this site.

In his second decade of reviewing cars and analyzing tools, Patrick is all set to give you convincing, reliable, and the latest information regarding what’s happening in the automotive industry. Currently, he owns a BMW Z3 but cannot get his eyes off Aston Martin DB5. He is a car enthusiast; he loves cooking and listening to music, especially jazz. Here are some of the pieces written by our ace author.

The post How To Blackout Headlight – Full Guide appeared first on Car Super Care.

Still, many people are interested in learning more about painting brake drums. It might be pretty tricky, but with a bit of assistance, you can do wonders with it!

Is It A Good Idea To Paint Your Brake Drums?

Because the round housings for brake assemblies can become rusty over time, the rust can damage the brake assembly, reducing braking efficiency.

In addition, the rust can be unsightly and decrease your vehicle’s appearance.

So if you want to remove and paint the brake drums on your automotive vehicle, you may do so.

Painting the brake drums will not negatively impact the performance of the drum brakes, as long as you use the appropriate type of paint.

However, sometimes, it might not be a good idea. Here is why:

The Paint Will Flake Off

When you brake, the brake drums become incredibly hot. This heat can melt the enamel in your paint and make it flake off.

It can be hazardous as it can get in your way as you drive. It may also block the pins on your brakes, affecting their performance.

The Paint Doesn’t Last

Even if your brake drum doesn’t overheat enough to melt the paint, the paint will still fade away from all that friction in no time at all.

Benefits Of Painting Brake Drums

There are many reasons to paint brake drums.

It is a simple procedure that can be performed in a single afternoon, and the results can improve your car’s appearance and reduce corrosion.

Here are some of the benefits of painting brake drums.

Protection

When a car is stored outside, the constant exposure to moisture can cause the brake drum to rust. Over time, this rust will eat away at the drum and cause it to weaken.

The applied paint will protect the brake drum from moisture and prevent rusting. It helps to ensure that your brakes remain safe and that they last for years to come.

Paint Makes It Easier To Spot Problems

When you paint your brake drums, you will often spot a problem before it becomes severe.

For example, if your brake system is leaking, you will be able to spot it before it causes any damage.

Checking on your brake drums will help you spot a problem, and you can have it repaired before it leads to an accident or more severe damage.

Paint Improves Appearance

When your car has been sitting for a long time, the brakes may look worn down or rusty. Painting them can give them an instant make-over.

How To Paint Car Brake Drums In 7 Simple Steps

Have you ever wanted to paint your brake drums? It is easier than it seems.

Here is how to get started:

1. Get Yourself Some Brake Drum Paint

There are many different brands and types of paint. You can find a list online of the best paints for your car’s needs.

2. Clean The Brake Drum With A Wire Brush

Use a wire brush to clean the surface of the brake drum. It will help your paint stick to it better.

3. Sand The Brake Drum Using Sandpaper

Sandpaper is a great way to ensure that your paint will stick to the surface of the drum.

If you skip this step, your paint may not adhere to the drum properly, or it could even fall off!

In addition, it will also make it easier later on when you want to remove any excess paint from areas with chipping or scratching over time.

Such areas might be near where your rim meets up with the ground.

You can use any sandpaper. But, we recommend using either fine grit (120) for smoother results or coarse grit (60) if you want more texture in your final product.

The coarser grain size helps fill in scratches and other imperfections faster.

4. Paint The Brake Drum

Finally, you get to paint the brake drum. You can use a paintbrush and apply the paint over the entire surface of the drum.

Be sure to coat every area, including parts that you may not be able to see, such as where it connects to the tire.

After you do this, let it dry. You can also use spray paint instead of a brush if you prefer.

5. Apply Primer

After you have painted and dried your brake drum, it’s time to apply a primer. Most primers will come with instructions on using them and when they should be used.

Please read these before applying them to know what you are doing.

6. Apply The Paint Again Using Spray

Once you have applied primer, it’s time to start painting again. However, this time, use spray paint instead of using a brush or roller.

You need to make sure that you cover all areas on your drum with paint. Let this dry before moving on to the next step.

7. Let It Dry

Now that the last coat of paint has dried, you can sand down any areas where there is still some paint left on them.

It will allow for more even coverage over all areas of your drums and help prevent rusting.

Tips For Painting Your Brakes

It can be a challenging task when you’re painting your car’s brakes. The paint can get on your clothes or it may not look as good as you’d hoped.

Here are a few handy tips:

1. Use spray paint designed for metal surfaces that can withstand high temperatures.
2. Use painter’s tape to mask off your tires and anything else you are not planning on painting, so no paint gets on them.
3. Make sure to paint the backs of your brake rotors and the fronts.
4. Allow at least two hours of drying time between each coat of paint.

How Can You Tell When There Is A Problem With Your Brakes?

There can be several signs that there is something wrong. If any of these signs happen, you should take your car to a mechanic right away:

• There is vibration or shaking in the steering wheel when the brake pedal is pushed or when the car stops. It could mean the air in the brake lines or a bad rotor on your front brakes.
• The brake pedal feels spongy or soft when it is pushed down. It usually indicates air in the brake line somewhere or low brake fluid levels.
• The brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor without stopping the car.

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s not that hard to paint your drum brakes. It takes some patience, but you can do it right at home with the right set of tools and planning.

Plus, there are some little tricks that you might want to try out once or twice!

James has been a car enthusiast since his childhood when he learned the differences between a ford and a chevy from his father. He loves to drive and restore old cars with a special drive for Italian marvels. Currently, he has a 1968 Alfa Romeo. He has studied aeronautics and civil aviation in his college and still gets smitten by Galant SS and Lancer GSR.

He is a New York-based product training director working with a giant automotive retailer. He loves to review and uncover the vehicles and their fascinating stories. He believes in keeping it legitimate with a keen passion for research on the latest technological upgrades in cars. While reading his articles or blogs, you can sense the extensive research and dedication backing the piece of text. He loves fried chicken, music, and spending quality time with his pet dog.

The post Painting Brake Drums – Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Car Super Care.

So, let’s see why your car paint is cracking and how you can fix it before it becomes worse.

6 Causes Of Stress Cracks In Car Paint

1. Excess Or Improper Use Of Paint Hardener

A paint hardener reduces the paint’s curing period and should be mixed in a specific ratio. When you put too much, the color will dry excessively.

Thus, cracks will form after exposure to the sun or anything that will heat the paint surface.

You should also note that some paints do not require a hardener. Adding a hardener will only make the paint crack.

To avoid using excessive hardener or improper paint hardener, check the user manual that comes with the hardener. Check if you are supposed to use a paint hardener with the paint you are using.

2. Old Age

As your car ages, components wear out, but the paint also wears out even if it is not mechanical. There are care and maintenance procedures for automotive paint.

You’ll find cars with original paint even at over 50 years old while still being daily driven.

You do not necessarily have to coat the paint or wrap it to prevent cracking. Simple care only involves avoiding parking your car in the sun, cold, or a moist place for too long.

Driving carefully to avoid scratches that could expand to cracks is also one way to prevent cracks on your paint.

3. Uneven Paint Mixture

Most paints will require you to mix with a thinner, and when you use less or more than the necessary amount of thinner, the paint will become brittle. Brittle paint will crack even after a short exposure to the sun.

However, not all paints require thinner, and if you mix it with thinner, you have completely ruined the paint. Ensure that you read the user instructions carefully on the thinner and the paint.

4. The Less Flash-Off Time Between Coats

Flash-off time is the time required for one layer of coat to dry. There is a required amount of time for every coating to dry.

When painting, most people will move on to the subsequent coating. It is due to impatience or assumptions that the paint is dry due to its appearance.

Depending on the instructions, you should wait approximately 10 to 30 minutes for each clear coating. Each type of paint has its own flash-off time.

5. Exposure To High Or Low Temperatures And Moisture

When exposed to high or cold temperatures, paint becomes brittle and cracks. UV rays from the sun are not automotive paint’s best friends.

But it does not take one hour to park in the sun for the paint to crack. Most car paints have a UV protective solution mixed into them.

However, it wears out as you often park your car in the sun.

When it’s cold, snow and ice will form on the paint surface. Both contain salts that lead to painting cracking.

During the winter or in areas that experience cold winter weather, it tends to rain hard ice. Hard ice causes cracks and chips on the paint.

The paint will crack if you often leave your car in an area exposed to moisture, whether it is in a damp garage or the rain.

Ensure that you park your car in the shade or an enclosed parking space free from environmental factors. Coating or wrapping your vehicle with a protective film also helps.

6. Expansion Of Existing Cracks Or Dents

Existing dents or cracks will expand over time due to exposure to environmental factors.

Sunlight will heat the coatings underneath the paint, thus expanding the crack. You might not notice it at first, but if the crack extends between body lines, you’ll see it.

Or someone else will notice it, maybe a frequent passenger.

Water expands as it freezes. If there is water on the cracks freezing to ice, the crack will expand as the ice expands.

You cannot just paint over cracks as they continue to expand beneath the paint. It will lead to more expensive re-sprays and sometimes even rust when the cracks reach the bare metal beneath the paint.

How To Repair Cracks On Car Paint

There are three main methods that you can use to repair cracks on your car’s paint.

1. Repainting The Whole Car

If there are many large cracks on your car’s paint, you have to get it re-sprayed fully. It might take a while as your car must be sanded to remove the old paint altogether.

The procedure is done at an automotive repair shop. It might take longer if the paint code you want is unavailable or there is a waiting list of cars scheduled awaiting painting.

You can use the following methods to repair the cracks while at home. But only if the cracks are not that intense or less affecting one or two parts of your vehicle.

2. Repainting Where The Cracks Have Formed

It is the best method you can use to repair cracked paint. It will take some time, but it’s worth it.

The following are all the steps you should follow.

1. Clean the affected area using soapy water with a degreaser and a lint cloth.
2. Mark out the area around the crack, then sand with coarse sandpaper moving up to a finer one. Brush off the dust, then rinse the area with clean water.
3. Once the area has dried, apply a single primer coating. Then let it dry according to the user instructions of the primer you are using.
4. Sand the primer coating with medium-grit sandpaper to smoothen it, making it ready to paint.
5. Tape the surface around the area you are painting even when spraying a similar color.
6. When painting, put your hand at least 12 inches away from the surface. Do not spray twice when you move your hand in one direction.
7. Let the paint dry before applying the next layer of paint. Paint until the area you are painting is similar to the surrounding areas.

3. Using A Paint Pen

Using a paint pen is great if you want an easy way out. Get a paint pen that has a similar color code to your car’s paint.

Clean the cracked area with soapy water with a degreaser. Then gently “draw” on the crack using the color pen.

Conclusion

No car owner likes stress cracks on their car’s paint. Cracks make the cosmetic appearance of your vehicle poor.

They also reduce your car’s resale value regardless of the size of the crack. To get rid of them, you can try one of our proposed methods.

With comprehensive experience in writing exceptional quality articles and blogs about cars and related stuff, Daniel is one of the finest bloggers and a hardcore car lover we have. He is an ASE certified technician with an across-the-board experience of 10 years in the industry. He could not help tinkering with anything he got his hands on from a young age, which led to his remarkable career in the automotive repair industry.

When he is not under any hood, you can find him on the water or in the woods to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He has been writing for multiple sectors and is a regular contributor to several publications.

He currently owns a Nissan 300ZX TT and a Pearl Yellow but plans to upgrade it to 550 HP. His favorites include the Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT, but for him, the Ferrari 360 Spider is one of the sexiest cars that exists to date.

Being an avid world traveler, he has spent most of his time analyzing the automotive markets, latest technology, and local favorites to enhance his knowledge base. He is currently living in North Caroline, where it’s all about food and coffee and, of course, cars.

The post Stress Cracks In Car Paint – Causes & Solutions appeared first on Car Super Care.

Just as its name sounds, a “magic eraser” is a magic tool that can help you complete various tasks.

The magic eraser, also referred to as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, is an all-purpose cleaning tool with the ability to scrape paint scuffs off a car, remove marks from a wall, or even get rid of residue from stickers.

Even though this tool is meant to remove paint scuffs from your car, it can also accidentally add paint scuff to your vehicle. If this happens, then you may need other means to get rid of the paint scuff.

But before you get rid of the paint scuffs that the magic eraser leaves behind, it is crucial to understand the car’s paint anatomy. This will help you know how to deal with the car’s paint. It will also help you know whether to repaint the car after removing the scuff or buff it.

Methods Of Removing Paint Scuff Left On The Car By A Magic Eraser

As you strive to remove paint scuffs from your car’s paint using a magic eraser, you may accidentally add the same paint to your car. And if this happens, you will not use the same magic eraser to get rid of the paint scuff; instead, you should use one of these methods.

Use Toothpaste

One of the good things about having a paint scuff is that you do not need to take the car to an auto repair shop or call a mechanic. Most of the items that we can use to remove the paint scuffs are in our homes. One of such tools is toothpaste.

Toothpaste is a great item to use to get rid of paint scuffs left behind by a magic eraser. However, you will require to use toothpaste with a whitening agent. Another thing that you will need is a clean microfiber cloth or even a towel.

What makes toothpaste unique is that it contains a gritty texture and some minute abrasives, such as toe found in a car polish. The abrasive compounds in the toothpaste work like sandpaper and help remove paint scuffs when enough pressure is exerted during scrubbing.

On top of that, toothpaste can also assist in smoothening the scratched edges; thus, giving the area a nice finish. The procedure is effortless: put a small dub of the toothpaste in a moist microfiber cloth and rub it over the scuffed area. Do it in a circular motion and wipe off the residue when you’re done.

Use Gas

Another simple way to get rid of the paint scuff is by using gas. Gas is also very effective when it comes to removing paint scuffs on your car. However, you need to be extra careful with gas.

The procedure for removing paint scuffs with gas is as easy as it is with toothpaste. Actually, they are similar. Take a clean microfiber cloth and soak it in gas.

Then, use the material to wipe off the paint marks. Note that the gas will react with the paint scuff and make it easy to wipe it off.

Nevertheless, you should not leave the paint on for over an extended period unless you want to remove an extra portion of your car’s paint. When you’re done, thoroughly clean the area to get rid of the gas smell.

Finally, you will be required to polish and wax the car to give it a nice shine and protect it.

Use Cooking Oil

Finally, you can also use cooking oil to remove paint marks left on your car. Unlike using gas or toothpaste, cooking oil should only be used when covering a small area with small marks. If the magic eraser has affected a larger area, then you should not use cooking oil.

Get a clean microfiber cloth and apply a small portion of the oil. Use it to scrub the scuffed area and wipe off when done. Also, you should clean the car before waxing and polishing for a pristine finish.

Precautions When Using A Car Magic Eraser

• Avoid applying a lot of force when trying to get rid of paint scuffs on your car. Also, avoid scraping off the paint in circles as this will damage the paint.
• Magic eraser is an abrasive tool that should be handled with great care. It can scrape off your paint and force you to repaint the spot or the entire car.
• Never use a magic eraser on any car before having a spot test. For instance, it quickly leaves dull marks on dark-colored vehicles when applied.
• Always clean a magic eraser after scratching paint from a car, wall, or any other surface. This prevents it from transferring the scraped paint and other substances on a new surface that you work on.

What Is The Car’s Paint Made Of?

A car’s paint comprises four layers. These are the primer, base coat, clear coat, and wax layer at the top. Every layer has its duty, which helps maintain the color and keep your car in pristine condition.

The primer layer is meant to protect the car’s metal body from rust and corrosion. On the other hand, the base coat’s work is to provide the car with its color.

At the same time, the clear coat protects the color beneath. And finally, the wax offers protection from the elements.

As you can see, every layer is crucial, and even a small scratch to the car’s paint will put the beauty and longevity of your vehicle in jeopardy. On the same note, that’s why you need to be careful when using a magic eraser to remove paint scuffs. A small mistake may make you interfere with the car’s paint anatomy.

Conclusion

A magic eraser is an outstanding tool that has been embraced by many motorists because of its versatility. However, it is not all merry as the tool has its share of disadvantages as well.

And if you accidentally scuff paint on your car while using a magic eraser, you should not panic. Follow one of the methods that we’ve highlighted above, and you will get rid of the scuffs within no time.

With comprehensive experience in writing exceptional quality articles and blogs about cars and related stuff, Daniel is one of the finest bloggers and a hardcore car lover we have. He is an ASE certified technician with an across-the-board experience of 10 years in the industry. He could not help tinkering with anything he got his hands on from a young age, which led to his remarkable career in the automotive repair industry.

When he is not under any hood, you can find him on the water or in the woods to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He has been writing for multiple sectors and is a regular contributor to several publications.

He currently owns a Nissan 300ZX TT and a Pearl Yellow but plans to upgrade it to 550 HP. His favorites include the Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT, but for him, the Ferrari 360 Spider is one of the sexiest cars that exists to date.

Being an avid world traveler, he has spent most of his time analyzing the automotive markets, latest technology, and local favorites to enhance his knowledge base. He is currently living in North Caroline, where it’s all about food and coffee and, of course, cars.

The post How To Remove Paint Scuff From Car Magic Eraser – Guide appeared first on Car Super Care.