Can a Car Be Repainted at the Original Factory?
3 Answers
No, because the manufacturing plant uses high-temperature spraying processes. After the car is assembled, many plastic accessories cannot withstand high temperatures. Characteristics of original factory paint: Car production lines mostly use robots for body painting, with the spray volume controlled by computers, resulting in very uniform paint surfaces. Typically, the paint is divided into four layers: the electrophoretic layer, the intermediate coat, the color coat, and the clear coat. The process employs high-temperature spraying, with baking temperatures exceeding 200 degrees Celsius, significantly enhancing the paint's strength under high heat. Disadvantages of repainting: When repainting is done at repair shops, manual operations make it impossible to achieve a uniformly consistent paint surface. Additionally, the process lacks the electrophoretic layer step and uses drying rooms at 60 degrees Celsius, so the paint quality cannot match that of the original factory.
I just took my old car back to the manufacturer for a paint job, and the experience was quite solid. The factory used dedicated baking equipment and original paint materials, with color matching so precise it looked like it just rolled off the assembly line—especially the metallic paint, which showed no signs of repair under sunlight. The workshop followed a standardized seven-step process from rust removal to clear coat application. Although it cost 30% more than a roadside shop and took five days, my decade-old car looked like it had a brand-new skin afterward. However, note that manufacturer services are typically only available for vehicles with original brand VINs, and restrictions may apply after a used car changes ownership. I’d recommend prioritizing factory service for metallic-paint cars with extensive scratches, while certified shops are more cost-effective for minor scuffs.
Last week, I accompanied a friend to handle the repainting of a damaged car and carefully compared the original manufacturer's solution. The biggest advantage is the dust-free assembly line environment, which ensures strong paint adhesion, with minimal bubbling or peeling within five years. The original manufacturer can also mix paint codes for rare colors—my mint green niche car could only be color-matched accurately at the brand's service center. However, you have to wait for parts scheduling, which takes about three days longer on average compared to quick repair shops. In terms of pricing, repainting a single door costs around 2,000 RMB, which is 500 RMB more than chain shops but comes with a two-year warranty. For nearly new cars within three years, it's advisable to go through the manufacturer's insurance claim; for older cars with minor touch-ups, it's not really worth the hassle of returning to the manufacturer.
