improving the performance of high-mileage cars

Repaint A Used Car Hood To Match The Rest Of Your Vehicle

27 July 2015 by Hugh Lowe

After purchasing a used car hood to replace the damaged one on your vehicle, learn how to paint it so that it matches the rest of the body parts. The following steps will teach you how to complete this transition with some basic materials.

Materials

• water hose
• mild detergent
• sponge
• vinyl tarp
• sawhorses
• towel
• sandpaper (low and high grit)
• electric sander
• tack cloth
• painter's tape
• face mask
• spray primer
• spray paint
• rubbing compound
• buffing cloth

Clean And Sand The Hood

Set a vinyl tarp on the ground. Place a couple sawhorses on top of it and lay the hood across them. Clean the hood off with soapy water and a sponge. Rinse the soapy residue away with a water hose. Wait for the hood to dry or wipe it off with a towel. Attach a piece of low grit sandpaper to an electric sander. Move the sander back and forth over the hood to remove imperfections.

After the hood's surface is smooth, attach a piece of fine grit paper to the sander and lightly sand the hood. Wipe away debris that was left behind by the sandpaper with a tack cloth.

Add Spray Primer And Paint

If there are any metal emblems or trim on the hood, cover them with pieces of painter's tape. Place a face mask over your mouth so that you don't breathe in any harmful fumes that the primer or paint emits. Stand a couple feet away from the hood while spraying a coat of primer onto its surface. Apply the primer evenly, spraying across the hood in straight lines. Wait a couple hours for the primer to dry.

Add a coat of spray paint that matches the color of your car in the same manner. Wait for the paint to dry. If the color of the paint doesn't appear to be as dark as the rest of your car, add a second coat. Wait for the paint to dry before removing the pieces of painter's tape. 

Apply Rubbing Compound

Pour a few drops of rubbing compound onto a buffing cloth. Wipe the compound onto the hood and press down on the buffing cloth while moving it around in small circles. The compound will help blend the new paint so that it looks evenly applied. After the compound turns hazy, wipe off the excess with a dry cloth. Your car will look newer and the hood will look like the original one after it is installed. 

If you have questions, ask a local auto parts supplier, like Hardys Auto Parts LLC, for advice on tools or technique.

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