Having your vehicle painted may be a very rewarding experience. Not only will your car appear like new, but its exterior durability will be much improved. Choosing to have your car repainted requires a financial and time investment.
Take some time to gather information before bringing your car to a paint or auto body shop. Understanding the painting process helps you decide whether or not to get your car repainted. You can make a better-informed decision if you have all of the facts handy.
- Painting a Vehicle Takes Time
Some vehicle paint businesses claim a three-day or fewer turnaround time, but in general, you can expect your car to stay in the shop for at least a week. Why is it taking so long to have the car repainted? It is not possible to apply new paint directly to old paint. The fading, oxidation, and uneven surface of a vehicle’s current paint prevents a fresh coat from being applied smoothly. Before applying fresh paint, the current coats of paint must be removed, and additional prep work must be accomplished. If a car requires substantial prep work, the overall cost of the paint job will increase.
- New Paint Won’t Solve All Your Problems
A new paint job will not fix problem areas on your vehicle, such as cracks, dents, or rust. These problems must be addressed before painting begins. Otherwise, the new paint will not adhere properly and will eventually peel off. In some cases, it can actually make the problem worse. For example, if you have a small crack in your windshield, painting over it will only cause the crack to spread.
- A Paint Job Entails Removing the Interior
A paint job entails more than just painting the exterior of the vehicle. The interior must be removed as well—including all carpets, upholstery, and trim. This is a time-consuming process that requires attention to detail to avoid damaging any of the parts. Once the interior is removed, the vehicle must be thoroughly cleaned before painting can begin. Any dirt or debris left behind can ruin the new paint job.
- Types of Paint
What kind of paint should you get? Color, quality, and amount of prep are all key considerations when it comes to a paint job. Remember that when it comes to auto painting, you nearly always get what you paid for. If you discover one paint business that wants $1500 to paint your automobile and another that only wants $700, you can bet the cheaper company will do half the work. This isn’t to suggest that there aren’t some good discounts to be gained in the world of vehicle painting, and you can sometimes strike gold with a terrific-looking inexpensive paint job. However, the cheapo work will generally result in a mediocre finish.
- To DIY or Not
Some people opt to paint their own vehicles rather than pay for a professional job. But unless you have experience in auto body work, it is not recommended. Applying paint is just one small part of the overall process. There is also prep work involved, such as removing the old paint, which can be time-consuming and difficult. Plus, if you make any mistakes, they will be very visible and difficult to fix. It is best to leave vehicle painting to the professionals.
Conclusion
If you are considering having your vehicle repainted, be sure to do your research. There is a lot to consider, from the type of paint to the price. Keep in mind that a new paint job will not fix all problems with your vehicle, and that the process is time-consuming and requires expertise. Ultimately, the decision whether or not to repaint your car is up to you.
Are you looking for an auto body paint shop in Edmonton? Lucky 13 is here to help! We want to help you with the auto body service you are looking for. Send us a message with detailed information so that we can fully understand your needs. We will be happy to provide you with a FREE QUOTE and information about the services we provide. We fully guarantee your satisfaction and look forward to working with you.
