Can I Pick Up My Car the Same Day After Bodywork and Painting?
4 Answers
Bodywork and painting completion time depends on the size of the painted area. If the painted area is small, the car can usually be picked up the same day, as vehicle paint requires time to dry completely. 1. Differences in bodywork painting: Bodywork painting is divided into paint and powder. Powder coating dries relatively quickly, especially in a drying oven, while liquid paint dries more slowly. 2. Paint thickness: The drying time depends on the thickness of the paint and the degree of atomization. Thicker coatings dry more slowly in a drying oven and even slower when air-dried, potentially taking up to a week. 3. Weather conditions: Adequate sunlight is required when mixing paint to avoid color discrepancies; paint cannot be mixed on cloudy days.
From my experience running an auto body shop, whether you can get your car back the same day for dent repair and painting really depends on the severity of the damage. For minor scratches or localized scuffs without metal deformation, quick repairs can be done in a few hours, making same-day pickup possible. However, if there's significant panel deformation or large-area painting required, the process becomes more complex: it involves straightening, filling, applying primer, base coat, and clear coat layer by layer, followed by baking. Drying takes even longer in humid weather, and you might have to wait in line during busy periods. I often advise customers to send photos for an estimate first and book an appointment in advance to save time. Choosing a reputable shop with good equipment can speed up drying, but generally, don't expect all jobs to be completed the same day. It's wiser to keep your schedule flexible to avoid unnecessary trips.
The front bumper of my car had been hit, and I asked about this when sending it for repair. Minor damage might be picked up the same day, but for major issues like a dented rear door, the whole process of painting and drying would take at least a day or two. The shop said a quick local touch-up could be done by noon and picked up in the afternoon, but any bodywork plus painting would definitely drag into the next day. The paint needs time to fully dry after application—rushing to drive off risks ruining it if dust sticks on the way. I learned this the hard way once when I dropped it off in the afternoon hoping for a quick fix, only to get stuck in evening traffic and queue for ages, still missing the deadline. Always discuss the damage details with the staff and ask about expedited options. Also, leave a spare key at the shop or arrange backup transport in advance—don’t leave things too tight.
Whether you can pick up your car the same day for bodywork and painting depends on the complexity of the process. Minor repairs like fixing slight scratches without body deformation may be completed within a few hours. However, if there's deformation requiring shaping, sanding, coating, and drying, it usually takes over 24 hours. Advanced paint booths can speed up drying, but weather conditions like high humidity may extend the process. It's best to consult the repair shop directly, providing details of the damage and color requirements, so they can give an estimate based on their schedule. Generally, minor repairs might be same-day, while moderate to major damage should allow at least a full day. Don't rely on advertisements—actual experience is more reliable.
