Painting Your Car Can Give It New Life

Having your car repainted can add value to the vehicle and make it seem like a brand new car, which will only increase your satisfaction with it. A new paint job will add to its resale value, which could help you get a higher amount for that older car if you are looking to sell it or trade it in.

In addition, painting your car can make it look like new again, giving it new life for you and offering a similar feeling to that of driving a new car. However, when painting a car, it is important to remember that a good paint job will continue to shine for years to come. Meanwhile, a paint job done poorly at a discount will need to be updated earlier and therefore will cost you more in the long run.

Collision Repair Painting

If you have recently been in an accident and had your car visit a collision shop, more than likely it had some parts either replaced or fixed. And while auto body technicians take extra care to match the paint color on any of these parts to the original color of your car, it is up to you to take extra care of the paint job when it returns to you, especially for the next 30 to 90 days. This timeframe will give the new paint enough time to cure and harden.

If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few tips which you may find helpful to follow to protect your new paint job to the fullest. First, you should avoid commercial car washes, as they use stiffer brushes and sponges that could potentially scratch the paint. Instead, if your car needs to be washed, you should do it yourself with a mild solution and soft cloth. In addition, waxing should be avoided for the full 90 days.

If it is cold or wintertime, it is important to not use a scraper on the paint as this could cause scratches. While it is ok to scrape your windshield, you should keep to using a soft brush or your hand when it comes to other areas of your car. Warm water should be used to melt away any ice you may see on the paint. You should also take extra care when chemicals such as antifreeze, oil, or gasoline are involved.

Potential Vehicle Paint Finishes

There are a number of paint finishes available, but two types are the most commonly used. These are acrylic finishes and pearlescent and metallic paint.

Used with a paint thinner, acrylic finishes will give your car a glass-like finish, making it a great option for classic cars. This type of paint must be buffed on a regular basis to keep the high-gloss look.

Meanwhile, pearlescent and metallic paint make use of small material flakes that cause the car to appear to change color from different angles or in sunlight. However, this type of paint is more difficult to apply with spot painting usually requiring the repainting of an entire section. This is because the differentiation between old and new paint can appear more clearly with these types of paints.

Popular Aftermarket Painting Styles

If you are looking to repaint your car, many body repair shops offer custom paint jobs. However, it is necessary for you to do some research beforehand, as they will differ in both quality and price. While the saying you get what you pay for is typically true, this does not mean you should overpay.

Many national chains will be able to offer deeper discounts, and are a great place to begin if you are on a budget. However, it is still important to do some research beforehand and read reviews, and some places may be known for using cheaper paint or may not have the skills necessary to mix the paint properly.

Aftermarket customization shops are more likely to offer stripes, decals and flourishes with their paint jobs. They are also more likely to be willing to do a matte finish. While a matte finish on a vehicle looks incredible, it is difficult and tedious to wash, so should be chosen with care.