After shopping around for a trustworthy paint shop to get my car redone, seeing the costs got me thinking, “could I just grab a few cans of spray paint and do this myself?”
Scouring the internet revealed the following.
It is perfectly legal to spray paint your own car, however, there are laws surrounding what chemicals can be in the paint you use and where you can use it. All the laws surrounding painting your own car can vary slightly between states but generally have similar guidelines.
What Chemicals Are Restricted by Law?
Certain chemical compounds are regulated and restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is so that they can only be used by licensed professionals in designated settings and not DIYers like you and I.
These include any spray-on paints containing chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), or lead (Pb).
Paints containing these compounds are classified as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), or hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s) when used in a sprayer, as they can be damaging to the environment and human health.
Thus, the EPA holds strict regulations over them in order to limit their use. If you can reliably determine that the paint you want to use doesn’t contain any of the above compounds, then they are likely ok to use. However, it doesn’t hurt to check the EPA’s website, www.epa.gov, to be sure.
Can I Use Spray Paints on My Car?
Spray paints are certainly a viable option for repainting your car but don’t think you can just pick up two cans and hope it looks good when you’re done. Repainting a vehicle takes a lot of time, preparation, and tools.
You’ll want an electric sander to speed up the process, with 600 and 1500 grit sandpaper, 1200 and 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, car putty, a putty knife, paint thinner, rags, painter’s tape, newsprint, safety goggles, a face mask, paint primer, warm soapy water, towels and finally, your chosen paint.
Basically, sand off the old paint and any rust, fill any holes with the putty, clear away leftover paint with the rags and thinner, cover mirrors, windows, and trim with tape and newsprint, wear your safety equipment, prime your car, smooth the surface, wash away debris and dry the surface, then paint!
As you can see, this is an involved and time-consuming process, so be prepared to take a few days to get it right.
What Types of Spray Paints Can I Use?
Certain states have mandated that a limited amount of volatile organic compounds be used in automotive paints due to environmental concerns. If you are looking for a low-VOC option, there are two types of spray paint that fit.
Water-Based Spray Paint.
This is commonly used in the car industry and is an environmentally friendly option, so you don’t have to worry about any hazardous toxins. It is recommended that you wear protective gear when using it, as you can still inhale the fine droplets of paint which is not good for your lungs.
It is a great paint type for using on at-home projects, but it does take some patience during the mixing process. If you are applying this type of paint, you will need a protective form of lacquer to go on top.
Low-Voc Version Acrylic Urethane (Solvent-Based).
This is a much more expensive option, but it creates a very durable surface coating on the vehicle (as strong as enamel paints). However, it does contain toxic chemicals and requires you to use protection when spraying.
It can also be difficult for first-time painters as the spraying consistency must be precise, so mixing it just right can be frustrating. You will need an additional topcoat to help it dry.
What Is The Definition of Low-Voc Paint?
In areas that have low-voc compliance laws and regulations, this is defined as any paint that has the following VOC limits:
- 3.5 pounds-per-gallon for basecoats.
- 2.8 pounds-per-gallon for topcoats.
- 2.1 pounds-per-gallon for primers/clearcoats.
What Are The National Rule Limits on VOCs in Paint?
The National rule limits for the United States are:
- 4.6-4.8 pounds-per-gallon for primers.
- 5.0 pounds-per-gallon for topcoats.
- 5.0 pounds-per-gallon for basecoat/clearcoats.
Which States Have Low-Voc Paint Restrictions?
According to the American Coatings Association, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia have Low-Voc paint restrictions.
Is It Illegal To Spray Paint Outside?
In most cases, it isn’t illegal to spray paint outdoors as long as it follows your local environmental laws and regulations.
For practical reasons, it isn’t recommended to repaint your car outside. The length of time it takes to prepare and paint your vehicle will leave it exposed to the elements with no protection.
This opens up the strong possibility of severe damage from direct sunlight, rain, and moderately windy days which can easily result in uneven coatings. Beyond this, dust and debris can delay progress and potentially cause you to have to make extra passes.
Can You Paint a Car in Your Garage?
Your garage may not be the best possible place to paint a car, but it’s certainly an option. All you have to do is ensure it meets the following standards:
- All enclosures must catch at least 98% of fumes.
- When applying spray paint coatings, you must use a high volume but low-pressure gun. This applies to air-assisted, airless, or similar applications.
- When cleaning your spray gun, no fumes must escape the cleaning area.
You can find a list of rules on EPA’s website.
Is It Illegal To Paint Your Car in a Different Color? Why or Why Not?
It is not illegal to paint your car in a completely different color. However, you should definitely take a look at the rules and regulations of your state of residence as how permissible the law is can vary. There may be rules around notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles or your insurance company. Let’s cover this a little bit more.
Take a few minutes to grab your registration papers and see if the color of your vehicle is listed or not. It may be listed as a number rather than as a word, so look for a column that says “car color”.
If your registration papers do list the color out, it is recommended that you notify the Department of Motor Vehicles to be on the “safe side”. However, this is only a precautionary measure and it may be an unnecessary step depending on the laws in your state.
The one thing that must not be changed is your vehicle’s VIN number. This is your vehicle’s identification number and is composed of 11-17 digits. This is your car’s fingerprint and is used to track any warranty claims, thefts, insurance coverage, registrations, and track recalls.
Can I Paint My Car With Chrome?
No, this is illegal in most states. It contains chromium which is a hazardous air pollutant.
Do You Need to Notify Your Insurance Company After Painting Your Car?
This is a fairly grey area and is dependent on your insurance company. The most likely answer here is that you should notify your insurance company of the new paint job if you have completely changed the color of your vehicle.
Why?
The insurance premium that you pay is based on certain variables, such as your car’s make and model, color, and mileage. Insurance companies have to know how much these variables play into the premiums and the coverage they may or may not provide you if and when you make a claim.
For instance, if you spend thousands of dollars on a new paint job and want to make a claim due to a massive scratch, the insurance company may not be willing to pay out if they weren’t aware of the paint modification. After all, some paint colors cost more than others.
Can Painting My Car Increase My Insurance Rates?
Yes, a different color of paint can increase your insurance rates. High-quality designs can also impact your insurance premiums.
Bottom line? It is not illegal to paint your car a different color and you do not have to notify the Department for Motor Vehicles or your insurance company, but it’s a good idea to do so.