How to Paint a Car in Australia: A Practical Guide
Painting a complete vehicle is a major project requiring careful preparation, compatible automotive coatings, suitable equipment and a controlled workspace. For small scratches and chips, a full respray is usually unnecessary; a correctly matched touch-up product is often the more practical option.
Before You Start
Clean and degrease the surface, repair dents and imperfections, sand according to the coating manufacturer's instructions, and mask areas that must remain unpainted. Use a suitable automotive primer where required.
Choose the Correct Automotive Paint
The correct coating depends on the repair, substrate and existing finish. For factory colour repairs, identify the vehicle's paint code and order a compatible colour. Do not assume two products are compatible simply because they look similar.
For larger projects, follow the exact mixing ratios, flash-off times and application instructions supplied with the paint. Products containing hardeners or 2K systems require particular attention to the manufacturer's safety requirements and appropriate professional-grade respiratory protection.
Application and Finishing
Apply compatible coatings in controlled, even coats and allow the specified drying or flash-off time between coats. A clear coat may be required depending on the paint system. Avoid polishing or waxing until the coating has cured according to the product instructions.
For Smaller Repairs
If you're repairing a stone chip, scratch or small damaged area, a car touch-up paint solution is generally a better starting point than repainting an entire panel.
For DIY colour matching and preparation, see our car paint preparation guide.