How long does it take to pick up the car after painting?
2 Answers
It usually takes 2 to 3 days to pick up the car after painting. Before painting, the car body needs to be cleaned and polished, and then the painting process can begin. After painting, the car needs to enter the paint drying room to bake the paint dry. Car painting refers to applying a layer of paint to the car's surface to protect it, and baking paint is commonly used for car painting. The car body's paint consists of four layers, from the inside out: the electrophoretic layer, the intermediate coat, the color coat, and the clear coat, each with different functions. The main function of the electrophoretic layer is rust prevention; the intermediate coat after the electrophoretic layer also serves to prevent rust, but it also enhances adhesion to the color coat; above the intermediate coat is the color coat, which primarily serves an aesthetic purpose, as the car's color is essentially displayed by this layer; the clear coat's function is to protect the color coat and enhance the glossiness of the paint.
Last time I had my car door repainted at the 4S shop, it took three days. They explained the process: the car is sent in on the first day for surface preparation, and applying putty alone takes half a day to dry completely. The base coat and color coat can only be sprayed on the second day, with each layer requiring baking in the paint booth after application. Finally, a clear coat protective layer is applied, and a full day is needed for complete curing. A full car color change would take even longer, at least five to six days. They reminded me that rainy days with high humidity could extend the timeline. They advised calling ahead to confirm the schedule, as some shops allow you to drop off the car in the morning without leaving the keys, and you can pick it up the same day after the paint inspection passes. Remember to get the handover checklist and check for color differences under good lighting when picking up the car.
