How Long Does It Take to Paint a Car Body?

[LaMary]

Car body painting generally takes about 2 days to complete. If the painting area is large, it may take three to four days to finish the entire painting job. Painting sequence: The painting sequence for cars starts from the top of the car to the doors, and then proceeds around the car body. This spraying sequence helps avoid surface overlaps and interface marks. The spraying speed should be uniform, without any skipping or missing spots. If uneven coloring occurs during the painting process, you can reduce the paint viscosity and then continue spraying the uneven areas. Post-painting maintenance: When washing the car, avoid doing so under strong sunlight, as dried cleaning agents can easily leave marks on the new paint. Use dedicated neutral running water for washing, and avoid using highly alkaline soap water to prevent washing away the oils in the new paint. When going to a car wash, make sure the staff doesn't use wax-stripping detergents, as they may damage the paint surface.

[StReid]

Last time my car got a big scratch, it took three days for a full repaint. The process started with sanding off the old paint, removing rust and small dents, applying primer to smooth the surface and waiting for it to dry, then spraying two coats of color paint and a clear coat for protection. Each step required patient drying time. For small touch-ups like door scratches, spraying might take two hours but requires half a day to cure before driving. I recommend booking at professional shops to avoid peak-hour queues. That time I encountered rainy weather which slowed drying and extended the time. A reminder: don’t rush paint jobs—quality directly depends on sufficient time. Cutting corners risks bubbles or defects.

[DiCamilla]

At our auto body shop, the time required for paint jobs depends on the type. Small scratch touch-up: Sanding, applying putty, painting, and drying take about three hours total. Full car repaint: Requires part removal, thorough cleaning, multiple layers of primer, base coat, and clear coat—each step needing at least two days to dry completely. Metallic paint takes even longer but delivers a dazzling finish. Remember not to rush the drying process; using fans may cause wrinkles or imperfections. Ambient temperature significantly affects drying time—faster in summer, slower in winter. With sufficient budget, choosing premium paint extends the process slightly but yields more durable results that match the original car's luster.

[OMila]

When I first sprayed the car body paint, I was worried it would take a long time. The mechanic told me that simple touch-ups for minor scratches could be done in one or two hours, but I had to wait a few hours before touching the car. A full-body paint job requires leaving the car for at least two to three days, so I only opted for a partial repair. Booking early to avoid queues seems crucial. The shop mentioned that deep scratches need more time to repair, otherwise, the color won't be even. It's recommended for beginners to take photos for assessment first to reduce anxiety.