Does bumper repainting count as original paint?
2 Answers
Bumper repainting does not count as original paint. The following are the differences between original car paint and ordinary paint: 1. Electrocoating layer: Repainted paint lacks the electrocoating layer. The biggest difference between repainted paint and factory paint is that repainted paint does not have an electrocoating layer, only the color paint layer and clear coat layer. Because of this, issues such as poor adhesion arise. Eventually, color differences will appear after some time. 2. Different construction processes: During car production, the car body is painted using robotic arms, ensuring even spray application, and it undergoes high-temperature baking at around 200 degrees Celsius.
I've been driving for over 30 years and often help friends evaluate used cars. Bumper repainting absolutely doesn't count as factory-original paint, and the reason is clear: factory paint uses high-temperature baking technology during production, while repainting is low-temperature spraying done afterward. The two are completely different in terms of gloss, durability, and material composition. After repainting, the paint layer becomes thicker, and differences can be easily detected by hand or with tools. In used car transactions, experts can spot it at a glance, and the price takes a significant hit. I recommend maintaining the factory-original condition for the best value retention. Unless the bumper has severe scratches or aging that must be addressed, don't rush to repaint. When repairs are necessary, choose reputable shops—though the quality may be good, it can never change the non-original nature of the paint. For regular maintenance, use wax to protect the paint surface and reduce additional wear.
