Auto Body Paint and What You Should Know

Having your vehicle painted is a big decision that can bring a lot of satisfaction. Whether it’s collision related or just a new paint job for a new facelift, a new auto exterior paint coating is a big undertaking. Not only will your car look like new, its exterior’s durability also can be significantly enhanced. Choosing to have your vehicle repainted also requires an investment of money and time and the knowledge to know what paints you’re choosing. Once it’s painted it’s not so easy to go back and redo it unless you want to pay for it all over again. So be sure you know what it is you want from the start. Here are some tips to help you make that decision and do not be afraid to ask questions.

When Should You Make That Decision If It’s Not Collision Related…Where You Really Don’t Have Any Choice?

We all know what it feels like in some way to get attached to things. Sometimes we it can be our car. If it’s running well with a lot of life left, but needs a facelift, you may want to consider a nice new coat of paint! Maybe you just want to change the color of your car. Maybe you need custom paint for that old classic or muscle car. Whatever the reason there’s some things to consider when choosing paint. Painting your car also saves your car from rusting. Rust can deteriorate a perfectly sound car quickly without protection from a professional paint coating.

What Type of Paint Should You Choose?

Generally, the types of paint fall into these categories:

1. Water-based paint – environmentally safe paints
2. Acrylic lacquer paint
3. Acrylic enamel paint
4. Urethane paint

Urethane paint or acrylic is a long-lasting paint job on your vehicle. Water-based paints are the sustainable option that is ideal if you want your car’s paint to be environmentally friendly. The acrylic lacquer paint is the thinnest option and does not last as-long-as other paint jobs; however, it is the lowest cost, and you can have a topcoat added to make it last longer. Your local auto body supply store or even your local body shopcan give you some answers on best practices and paints to use. Consider the elements and weather conditions within the location you live in.

New Paint is Not Your Solution for Dents, Scratches and Holes

If you paint over these areas without professionally fixing Scratches, Gouges, Dents, Pits, Rust spots, and Holes it’s likely these areas will get enhanced with a nice shiny new coat of paint. So a new coat of paint foes not solve everything. For the best results, the auto body shop should first remove the old paint on the car and fix any damage that is present…or if you are attempting to do it yourself.

How long does a NEW Coat of Paint Last on Your Vehicle?

The long answer is that paint durability on a vehicle varies based on the type of paint, the quality of the paint, and the final touches used by professionals. It also matters where you store your car and the elements it’s exposed to. Normally its 10-15 years. Look into a protective clear coat sprayed that protects your car from flying pebbles, hail, and dust and dirt. It’s about $450 additional to do approximately but worth it in the long run.

How Much Time Does It Take to Paint a Car?

Prep work is time consuming and must be done. Painting requires removing parts of your car including the interior. It also may require little or a lot of prep work.  There’s also masking, painting, drying, curing, and buffing. This can take up to a week or longer from start to finish. It also requires the right equipment to get that flawless look as an end result. It’s recommended to take it to a body shop that not only has the equipment, but the professional certified auto body technicians knowledge to get it done right.

How Much Does Painting a Car Cost?

This would need to be estimated by a local auto body shop. It would depend on what is being painted, the prep work, whether its custom or factory painted, and what paints you choose. Regardless the value of your car will increase with a new coat of paint. Get an estimate to see if it’s something you want to consider. Most auto body shops will give you a Free estimate.

Trust the professionals at Spirit West Auto Body. Our I-CAR® certified technicians will be sure to give you the best competitive price for your vehicle’s new paint coating. Whether it’s color matching or protective coat, we’re here to give you a free estimate. Just stop in or give us a call at (636) 394-1712. Our shop uses environmentally safe paints.

Spirit West Motor Carriage Auto Body Repair is a family-owned and operated company founded in April 1977. We take great pride in teamwork and our commitment to making sure our team receives training on the latest innovative state-of-the-art equipment and collision repair techniques.

We are proud to say our team is family and we treat our customers like family, too. Be assured that your car will receive this treatment, and upon completion of the repairs, you will drive away safe and satisfied!

Give us a call today or stop by the shop to see how we can get your car back into shape and back on the road. Spirit West Motor Carriage 610 Park Lane Manchester, MO 63021 Mon-Fri 7:30am – 5:30pm, (636) 394-1712.