Visit our Before & After page for some examples of our work.

If you are unfamiliar with the steps that go into an award winning paint job then review the process below.

A typical paint job begins with the following steps:

• Sand Blast all surfaces to bare metal. 

• Grinding - If body filler is to be used, the surface must be ground to clean, bare metal. Mix body filler and immediately apply in thin even coats following the contour of the original panel.

• Rough Sand Body Filler - Sand body filler with 80 grit sandpaper and a hard sanding block. This rough sanding is done to “shape” the body filler to match the contour of the surrounding metal.

• Finish / Featheredging - Inspect body filler for the proper contour, 80 grit scratches, or pinholes. If defects are found, re-apply body filler. Featheredge all broken paint edges or scratches in surrounding paint using 180 grit sandpaper and finish with 320 grit sandpaper on a DA sander. Blow off the repair area, and surrounding areas, with compressed air.

• Apply Etching Filler - Apply 2-3 medium wet coats allowing 2-3 minutes flash time between coats. Allow to dry for a minimum of 30 minutes.

• Apply Primer Surfacer - Apply 2-3 medium coats allowing each to flash to a dull finish. Allow to dry a minimum of 2 hours.

• Guide Coating - Guide coating is done to help highlight areas that require additional sanding later in the process . Apply a thin dusting of guide coat over the entire primed area. Allow to dry for a minimum of 10 minutes.

• Block Sanding – Long Block sanding is done to perfectly level the repair area and provide a smooth transition between the repair area and the old finish.

• Solvent Clean - Thoroughly clean the surface to be refinished to remove all solvent based contaminants. Apply to all areas to be painted, one panel at a time. Wipe off with a second clean, dry cloth before solvent is allowed to dry.

• Sealing - This optional step may be chosen to fill small scratches or increase adhesion of the new paint over the old finish. Apply 1-2 medium coats. Allow to flash hand slick between coats. Allow to dry until hand slick (usually about 5-30 minutes depending on temperatures and film thickness).

• Apply Basecoat - This is the actual color coat to match the vehicle’s original finish. Apply 2-3 medium wet coats. Allow to flash handslick between coats. Basecoat will dry to a dull or satin finish.

• Apply Clearcoat - The clearcoat is the protective layer that gives it its gloss and durability. Apply 2 wet coats. Allow each coat to flash until hand slick before next coat. Allow to dry overnight.

• Buffing / Polishing  - During the application of the topcoat system surface imperfections may occur because of airborne dust or other environmental factors. To remove these minor surface imperfections, allow the clearcoat to dry at least 24 hours. Lightly wet sand with 1200-1500 grit sandpaper. Polish the surface to remove the scratches from the sandpaper.