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Car painting. What you should know and how much it costs

Suppose you want to paint your car or a body part. Why? I don’t know, maybe you found it scratched, maybe you want to change its color, maybe it’s rusty or maybe you want to refresh its original color. Painting the car is one of those repair operations to a car that you cannot do at home, in front of the house, or in the garage. Of course, you can paint the car where and how you want but it will not go well. Plus you need special car paint.

What is the process of painting the car?

To know if your car is painted correctly you must first know the steps that are taken until the entire painting process is completed. We present the most important steps, so you know immediately if the process of painting was done correctly.

  • Step 1. Purchase all the necessary elements. The painting process requires a very good quality primer, good paint, protective eyewear, rubber gloves, mask, adhesive tape roll, oxalic acid with which to clean rust and a polishing device.
  • Step 2. Eliminate rust. The car can’t be perfect after a few years of use. Rust stains, corrugated boards or other defects are as natural as possible. The removal of the rust is done very carefully so that all the traces of wear appeared in this way are removed.
  • Step 3. Priming. After removal, the primer is applied. It must comply with the instructions on the label. For best results, it is good to apply three coats of primer, and then wait 12 hours for drying.
  • Step 4. Sanding. The surface is sanded and the paint layers are expected to be applied. Sanding can continue even after the paint layers are applied, under imperfections. Clean water is extremely necessary for the sanding process because occasional cleaning of the sanding is required.
  • Step 5. Applying the paint. According to the experts, it is good to apply several layers of paint, so that it reaches the desired color. After applying all the layers, the car is left to dry for at least 24 hours. Later the car can be reassembled, a process that is often more difficult than the disassembly. If in the case of disassembly things can be completed by almost anyone, the assembly can only be done by a professional.
  • Step 6. Varnishing. It is the final stage and has the role of ensuring the glossy appearance of the car. Also, the role of the varnish is protective for the body. For a successful lacquering this must be done in two successive layers, generous in terms of the quantity of the varnish.

All these steps take place over several hours or days and are very detailed, involving a lot of other actions. This is why a paint job is always the right choice.

When looking for the ideal paint, it is recommended to opt for a complete solution. It must have qualified personnel, use only quality materials (especially in the case of paints) and apply varnishes that offer protection against scratches and excessive wear.

The new paint should withstand a few good years without problems.

After completing the steps mentioned above, you will not be put in a situation where you wait a long time or you will be postponed for no reason, I will give you an estimate of the whole process. For a new car and in very good condition the painting process lasts about 4-5 days, and for an older car, the painting process can last between 7 and 10 days. It should be noted that the condition of the car will also matter, but also the painting complexity.

How to know if the car painting was done properly?

For those interested in painting the car, the paint and car body specialists describe to you in the following lines how you can evaluate whether the painting process of your car was done correctly:

Inspect the car in a well-lit area

This may seem like a simple step, but it is important to remember to do so. You would be amazed at how many small imperfections can be hidden in dim light. Make sure your car is out in direct sunlight or in the garage, where there is good quality light. Inspecting in a well-lit area can mean the difference between staining and missing spots.

Make sure the paint color match

There may be situations when the paint is “similar”, but it does not exactly match the original one that the car has. This will cause the car to have two colors and thus diminish the aesthetic part of the car. In the long term, this will translate into lowering the sale price of the car. Also, improper paints may be the most obvious signs of poor painting or poor quality of the paint.

Check for paint imperfections

After the painting process is complete, the car should have a consistent gloss and you should not be able to differentiate between the freshly painted section and the original paint layer. Common flaws you should look for include:

  • Air bubbles under the paint
  • Uneven textures, ie places where the paint is thicker or thinner
  • Touch the freshly painted area with your hands. It should be smooth and clean, while coarse lines can mean dirt stuck under the paint.

Always ask the paint service provider what kind of paint they use, as durability and quality can differ significantly between brands. Quality paint means a superior finish and long-lasting performance.

Look for traces of paint inside and out

Look carefully at the bumper of the car, the windows, the windscreen, and even the tires – they should have no paint. If you find paint it means that the protection of the car during the painting process was inefficient.
Also, check the interiors for any traces of paint, especially around openings, such as windows and doors. The paint that gets inside the car can damage your carpets, and.

Paint care and maintenance

After you have finished painting your car and you are satisfied with the labor, contact your service for paint care and maintenance information. It is recommended that you apply wax after the paint is perfectly dry and you will wash the car the first time. This will help the paint stay vibrant and prevent damage to the car body elements.

Can I use spray for painting the car?

No, painting with spray is definitely not the right choice to use for painting your car, il will work maybe on small scratches, but not in a professional painting job.

The paint from the spray is too thin and needs many layers to be as consistent as possible. You can’t combine it to create the right tint, the varnish combines with the paint and makes it flow, even stains appear.

What is an oven car painting?

Oven painting is the most suitable. Why?

  • 1. Under normal atmospheric conditions, you cannot get a temperature of 50-70 degrees Celsius (122-158 F) for quick drying. Faster drying eliminates the risk of dust deposits.
  • 2. The cabin is specially designed that when the car is painted, the air does not present any impurity, there are air filters that remove any dust, and during the drying, the hot air circulates controlled and evenly, the humidity control inside the cabin it is just as important for proper painting.

By painting a car outside or in an improvised workshop, it will never look like a painted one in the oven (due to impurities and improper drying) plus the life of the paint will be shorter

How much does it cost to paint a car?

According to Cost Helper for using inexpensive synthetic enamel paint with a minimum number of coats the price range is $300 – $900 with a price range of $566. Using higher-quality paint from a good brand with costs varying depending on the make, model, and condition of the car, expect to pay $1,000-$3,500 with an average cost of 1316$. The process includes additional preparation work, like sanding, removing rust and dents. And for a PRO painting job, drivers spent between $2,400 and $7,500, with an average price of about $5,000.

How can I paint the car myself?

Although it is not advisable, here are the steps for painting the car yourself:

We will detail another aspect of the painting process if you choose to do this yourself. First, mix the paint with diluent, using the ratios recommended in the instructions inscribed on the paint package.

  • Apply the top coat of paint using the same spray techniques. The application time of each layer on each panel will take approximately 10 minutes and between 20 minutes to one hour for the paint to dry before repainting.
  • Apply three to four coats using the drying time recommended on the instructions. Before applying the last coat, remove any residue in the form of powder using what is called the 2000 wet and dry sandpaper, and then wipe with a clean cloth. Repeat the last two steps with transparent varnish
  • Then remove the masking foil when the transparent layer is still damp, making sure the tape or paper does not stick to the wet paint. Allow the transparent layer to dry for the recommended time. Check the freshly painted parts for imperfections. If you find such areas, rub that portion with 2000 grit wet and dry sandpaper, and then repaint the affected area.
  • It is important to know that the paint should be finished with circular motions, using a buffer, being careful not to damage the paint, concentrating too much time in one place. If found, correct those surfaces using sand 2000 sandpaper and respraying.

Conclusion

For the best results, it is advisable to opt for a repainting in the same color that the car has and also, it is preferable a full repainting. If you want to change the color things are a little more difficult, because the interior parts of the body will have to be painted and the necessary attention is much greater. Nothing is impossible, however, and those who love their cars can get to enjoy what color they want, as long as they choose quality paint.