I want to repaint small part of the bumper to get rid of a scuff mark on the front corner of my car. My body shop quoted me $600. With a paint can and clear coat can I can do this for less than $20, or at least attempt to. I watched some youtube tutorials and all I need is some time and a desolate place. I don't have access to any garage or any interior space. (on the contrary I do have a giant interior parking complex at an amazon matrix here in NYC) Anyways I was wondering if it's okay to spray paint a car outside when there's nothing around you. I know particles of paint can get on other cars or objects. However if I'm in the open in public space other than the ground nothing should be harmed. Does anyone have experience with this? How illegal is this?

 

First question is what color is the car?

Second question is how bad is the scuff? Is it a scuff or is it a gouge?

The answer to both of those questions will determine your ability to make it look right.

 

Color is silver. Code K23. Scuff (collections of scratches in one patch) did penetrate base coat to the primer so sanding will be required no matter what. My primary concern is legality. If I'm wearing a respirator and goggles spraying my car outside, what's the worst that can happen if a cop pulls up to me?

 

Who knows when it comes to NY. I remember when I was a kid we lived in an apartment complex in Las Vegas. My dad painted several cars in the corner of a parking lot. Yes, entire cars, with a compressor and paint gun. That was the 80's though.

 

I know you're in NYC and all, so I see the merit of you asking about the legality. I doubt a cop is going to stop you from painting your own car. And no..its not illegal to use spray paint.

The paint you're spraying is going to get ALL over everyone else's cars that are close to you. So...be considerate and do this in a big open lot or something. There's usually a few open lots and spaces around LIC nowadays.

Mask your own car too, so you're not getting overspray on that.

And you can't successfully do this with clear coat from a store. You need a 2 part clear. Look up "Spraymax 2K clear". You absolutely need a respirator for this stuff (a dust mask is not a respirator). And it will get on EVERYTHING in the vicinity. But its real clear coat. Wear long sleeves/pants and gogles.

This type of repair has only a very small chance of actually working out well. But...give it a go, if you feeling confident, my bru.

If it doesn't work out, you'll just have to pay a shop to do it properly if it bugs you. Which is pretty much where you're at now anyway.

 

Yes, you need 2K clearcoat and definitely a respirator. That **** is highly toxic, it's not a 'hold my breath' type of spray. I would also recommend goggles and gloves. Also, Hugh is right it gets everywhere, so make sure to mask off EVERYTHING to prevent overspray. Ask me how I know..

 

So I'm gonna poison myself and still make a ****ty job. I'll try shopping around and see if a shop does it for less that $600.

 

Lol yeah, body work takes some practice. If you plan to patch just that spot with paint, you have to blend everything in.

Sand. Fill. Sand to blend.

Feather in...
Primer.
Paint.
Clear.

Then wet-sand the whole panel. Then compound and polish the whole panel.

Then re-clean, polish, and apply a coat of sealant wax a month or two later.

^sound worth $600 of your time? lol

$600 sounds like a fairly standard price. Definitely not bad for NYC pricing...assuming they plan to paint the whole panel and color blend it.