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Probably 9 times out of 10, when there are paw prints on the hood and windshield of your car, it’s that damned cat in the neighborhood. This time however, on a Reddit r/whatisit forum, what the owner of his 1993 Honda Civic Coupe project found was not cat prints but something that looked like a giant centipede had made:
DIY Painting Your Project Car
From the article, it looks like the OP has created a DIY car painting booth outside his garage using your typical Harbor Freight or other temporary portable carport shelter from Amazon, made of PVC tubing, plastic tarp, and sheeting.
Which is not a bad idea for the industrious DIY car owner who wants to save money and take some pride in having done it on his own, as I’ve pointed out in an earlier article titled “Bad Husband Car Repair Projects”.
In other words, he appears to be a “I built my rod, you bought yours” type, which, from the looks of what he has done thus far, is very impressive.
However, there are caveats to doing it yourself on a car’s paint job.
One of which was pointed out to me by a comment following a related article about how to DIY paint your car using a cheap wedding tent as a DIY car paint booth.
Speaking as a former OSHA compliance officer, using a painting enclosure that is made of combustible material is dangerous and is specifically prohibited by regulation. To be safe, a paint booth is also required to have a sprinkling system. What a homeowner does is not regulated; however, the safety standards are in place for a reason. ―timpanogos”
The former OSHA compliance officer makes a very good safety point.
However, to paraphrase the maxim that “Boys will always be boys,” for the DIY car mechanic, sometimes we do what we have to do when we are having affordable fun―especially when the spouse is not around to spank our inner child.
‘Nuff said.
Comment Guesses Were Mostly Spot On
Following the forum thread, we see that most of the guesses correctly identified the culprit.
More creative responses, however, said that the tracks looked like something a giant centipede could be imagined making. And I have to admit, that was one of the first images that flashed to mind upon seeing the OP’s Images.
Video footage captured the mystery critter, revealed that it was more Earthly creature apparently attracted by insects either buzzing about a light source or going after easier pickings from insects succumbing to paint fumes from the car surface.
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In short: a frog.
Here is a link to the video pasted below. It may take several seconds to download, but it is worth the wait to see this less mysterious Anuran species common to our Earth that is leaving behind unusual marks on the OP’s car.
https://www.kapwing.com/videos/688794efe5703eed00ffee1b
What’s the Lesson Here?
If there is a lesson, and I think there is one, it is that careful consideration must be given whenever a DIY paint job involves a car.
Aside from the safety points made by the earlier comment from the former OSHA compliance officer, it is not just dust you are trying to eliminate before, during, and after painting, but insects as well that will always come out of the ether and drop on the center of the hood. Been there, done that.
While the OP earns well-deserved credit for his DIY painting, the most important lesson is to treat any paint job like a professional with attention to all the potential pitfalls.
And the best way to accomplish this is to do your research and always prioritize the best setup you can afford.
For example, you must research what other DIY car paint videos can teach you before committing to the project. Whether it is building a paint booth or discovering where others ran into problems, the info is invaluable.
That said, here is a useful video that shows how one DIY built his affordable (and temporary) paint booth inside his garage, ensuring proper ventilation was part of the design while keeping costs down.
How to Build a DIY Paint Booth in Your Garage for Painting Muscle Cars
Another DIY Option: One Level Up
If building a DIY paint booth is not of interest and you really want something a level better, check out this review of an inflatable paint booth to see if this is something that will still fit your budget but provide more professional looking results.
For another car-related oddity, here is one about a mystery object some car owners discover on their used car purchase titled “What Is This Inside My 2015 Jeep Frame? I Found Another One Inside The License Plate Holder.
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and restores older vehicles, often incorporating engine modifications for improved performance. He also covers modern cars—including EVs—with a focus on DIY mechanics, tool use and selection, and other topics related to automotive repair. Follow Tim on Twitter (@TimBoyerWrites), Facebook, and his blog, Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair, for daily updates and insights on new and used cars and trucks.
Image Source: Deposit Photos
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Source: torquenews.com
