Blending Auto Paint Without Painting a Full Panel

This video shows that it is possible to blend paint on the same panel, rather than painting the whole panel. However, it turned into a trial-and-error video because of several mistakes.
Materials (copy and paste the link into the browser address to purchase on Amazon):
1. Headlight repair kit - amzn.to/3ujiAuH
2. Primer - amzn.to/3QDcygh
3. Advanced Auto (thank you!!): Color-matched spray paint. They match it for you from the color code on the car's manufacturing label (located on the door edges or associated frame). Mine was about +95%, compared to the online version I used from the car paint code, G1U, at ~70%.
4. Polishing Compound: For polishing. Shake before putting on the foam pad - amzn.to/3QSsxbx
5. Clear coat spray paint - amzn.to/3MCgI6A
6. Rubbing Alchohol - amzn.to/3QTNpiq
7. Non-lint towels.
8. Hand drill
My Mistakes:
1. Too close or too much paint caused drips that needed to be sanded out and repainted. Do more thin layers every few minutes.
2. Used masking tape on the paint transition, and sanding it out, opted instead for a raised mask that intrinsically blended the spray paint and original paint.
3. Grabbing the original wrong paint for the final layer!
Steps (Note, don't mask with tape on the actual panel where you want to blend. Rather, hold it away from the panel by 2-3 inches away from the surface, and this will blend the paint automatically).
1. Sand out scratches with 500 Grit, limiting the spread as much as possible.
2. Finish with 800 grit
3. Spray plastic primer (masking off with tape where you don't want paint, and using a raised masking, 2-3 inches where you want to blend the paint)
4. Polish with rubbing compound
5. Clean with alcohol
6. Base paint 3X (use raised masking, 2-3 inches away from the paint area)
7. Polish with rubbing compound
8. Clean with alcohol
9. Base paint 3X (used raised masking again)
10. Polish with rubbing compound to a mirror finish.

[@joeylopezphd]

Super interesting. I love how you used a headlight kit. I also like how knew you wouldn’t get it perfect, but that it would be good enough. At least from the video it looks passable in terms of a daily driven vehicle with some wear and tear. I could see myself doing this on one of my cars if needed. Cool video.

[@sapropllc]

Thank you!

[@TheLoneRanger1992]

Fair play for giving it a go not perfect but a lot of ppl won’t tell im going to give it ago myself especially when car repair shops want $250 per panel it’s not worth it

[@Zane1414]

Shake the can a lot longer than recommended . Roll the mixing ball inside the can all over.

[@dazzahaywood3298]

Everyones becomes a professional body painter. 😂whos gonna walk past any car and think oh i see where ya sprayed it no ones gonna take one bitbof notice

[@allenpearson9716]

Where do you buy custom paint color in a spray can?

[@sapropllc]

Hi Allen, thank you for your question. Advance Auto Parts. Other supply stores may offer it too. You'll need you vehicle paint code - look for TH-cam videos on where to find it on your car's chassis label. If the color is off, try shaking the can longer, especially for metalic colors, i.e. silver. Good luck!

[@daniellekkerbelangrijk3958]

How to make a easy job difficult 🤣🤣

[@ItZFlipz]

oh hell nah not this way please

[@anthonyallard3156]

Its cause itd metallic paint you can't sand or spot fill metallic like that

[@timothyharper5673]

No prep Don't you have to wash and degrease then sanding paste first.

[@sapropllc]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, I degreased it with rubbing alcohol. My focus was on painting what was necessary, rather than the whole panel, instead of a complete beginning-to-end process. Maybe that was not the best decision? The scratches were not deep, so I used sandpaper with a fine grit - 800 and up, which came with the polishing kit. Also, I have never used sanding paste. Do you recommend any videos showing how to use it? Thanks again.

[@timothyharper5673]

Ok thankyou fir the video

[@TomFalcon-kw3rg]

😂

[@Donnelly369]

😂 are u for real. glad only 22 people are see thing this.

[@sapropllc]

Well, it depends on what you want. I provide my context and trad-offs. It's not perfection and the results I show speak for themselves. I'm sharing an option that works for me. Best.

[@carlmazziotti221]

For a general diy this is better than most will do. If the paint matched it would be 90%

[@Pimpimanyweather]

Makes no sense, n I’m talking from a painters perspective!!!

[@richardsprojects]

What are you doing ffs!

[@sapropllc]

Sorry it does not work for you. Best.