How Long Does It Take for a 4S Shop to Perform Paint Touch-Up?
3 Answers
The time required for paint touch-up at a 4S shop varies depending on the specific circumstances: 1. Touch-up for front and rear bumpers takes about 5 hours; 2. Trunk panel repair takes 6 hours, while applying putty and painting takes about 5 hours; 3. For minor damage, panel repair plus putty application and painting takes about 7 hours. Methods for maintaining car paint include: 1. Remove dust from the car body before use; 2. Rinse the car promptly after rain; 3. Avoid washing the car under direct sunlight; 4. Use dedicated neutral running water for washing; 5. Wipe gently from top to bottom along the direction of water flow; 6. Promptly remove contaminants like asphalt and bird droppings; 7. Avoid frequent car paint polishing.
Last time I went to the 4S shop to repair a door scratch, it took a full two days to complete. I handed over the car in the morning of the first day, and they first had to sand off the old paint surface and then apply putty to level it. The primer couldn't be sprayed until the afternoon, and by the time it dried, it was already evening. On the second day, they applied the topcoat and clear coat, then put it in the baking room to cure, and finally polished it before delivering the car. The customer service said the duration depends on the extent of the damage—even a palm-sized scratch takes at least 24 hours, and a full door repaint would require two to three days. However, they use original factory paint with high color accuracy, unlike small shops where color mismatch is common. Remember to make an appointment in advance, as walk-ins might face longer wait times.
I prioritize efficiency and specifically inquired about paint repair times at several 4S stores. The staff explained it mainly depends on three factors: the size of the repair area, the type of paint, and workshop turnover. Minor scratches, like on a rearview mirror, can be done the same day; but for larger repairs such as an entire hood panel, overnight processing is necessary. Metallic paint requires two additional steps compared to regular paint, naturally taking more time. During hot weather it's better, but in winter, the paint drying room heats up slowly, potentially adding a few extra hours. They recommend bringing the car in on weekday mornings (Monday to Thursday) when it's less busy, avoiding weekend peaks to save half a day. Remember to allow enough buffer time to avoid disrupting your vehicle usage plans.
