To prime a car well, you must understand how the metal, primer and paint work together to create a clean finish. Take the time to understand what type of metal your car is made of, what color paint you would like to use on top of the primer and practice applying long, even bursts of primer through the spray gun on a disposable surface. If you take the time to prepare, your priming and paint job can appear professionally done.
Find out what kind of metal your car is made of. Bring this information, along with a paint sample of the paint you will use, to the paint store. Ask a professional to give you the correct primer according to these two pieces of information.
Clean your car completely with soap and water in a wind- and dust-free environment, such as a clean garage. Dry it completely. You do not want to prime or paint a car with the risk of dust or debris sticking to the new paint.
Wear a face mask to protect yourself from inhaling the fumes of the primer, especially if you are working in an enclosed or windowless space like a garage.
Put masking tape and/or newspaper over windows, tires and chrome that you do not wish to prime. Every surface that you are not planning to prime must be covered, as primer from a spray gun can spread unexpectedly.
Load the primer into the paint gun. Test the spray out on a disposable surface, such as a piece of cardboard. Make sure the spray is even and thick.
Spray the primer along the body of the car in long, even intervals. Short, quick bursts of primer will make the surface appear blotchy.
Let the first coat of primer dry for at least 30 minutes. Apply a second and third coat in the same fashion.
Clean the paint gun before loading and applying colored paint.
