How Long Does It Take to Repair Car Paint?
2 Answers
Repairing car paint typically takes one day. Automotive repair paints are divided into two types: spot repair paints for touching up cracked areas and full refinish paints for sanding off aged coatings, adjusting, and completely repainting the entire panel. The appropriate type of paint is selected based on the paint film type, extent of damage, working environment, and specific repair requirements. The steps for repairing car paint are as follows: 1. Clean the scratched area thoroughly; 2. Sand the area with sandpaper; 3. Use tape and a cloth to mask off areas that do not require paint repair; 4. Combine a touch-up pen and a mini spray can for painting; 5. After the paint is applied, spray blending clear coat on the repaired area to complete the process.
When it comes to car paint touch-ups, I remember when there was a small scratch on the door of my car, I went to a professional repair shop. If the scratch only affects the clear coat, the touch-up time is shorter, maybe done in half a day—they just spray some paint and bake it dry. But for larger damages, like scratches that reach the metal layer, it requires sanding, filling, spraying primer, mid-coat, and topcoat, followed by baking, which takes a full day or even two, depending on the weather. High humidity on rainy days slows down the drying process. That time, I had to wait a few extra hours for the paint to fully dry before driving off to prevent dust from sticking. The key is to choose an authorized shop—quick-service chains are more efficient, but if you go to a 4S dealership, though more professional, the wait time can be longer. In short, don’t delay—fix it early for peace of mind to avoid rust or further paint damage.
