How Long Does It Take to Spray Paint a Car?
3 Answers
The time required for car spray painting is primarily determined by the extent of the area to be painted. Generally, bodywork and spray painting take about one day to complete. If the scratches are not severe, a quick spray method can be used, which takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, allowing you to pick up the car in the morning or afternoon. Introduction to Bodywork and Spray Painting: Spray painting is necessary when a vehicle is involved in a collision, as the body will inevitably have scratches or even more severe deformations. Bodywork involves reshaping and repairing the deformed parts of the vehicle caused by the collision. Spray painting is the process of restoring the color and gloss of the vehicle to its pre-collision state after the body has been repaired. Spray Painting Method: Clean the surface to be painted thoroughly (removing oil, dust, and water stains). If the surface is too smooth, sand it with 600-grit sandpaper until it feels slightly rough. When spraying, hold the spray nozzle about 20 centimeters away from the surface and press the nozzle to apply the paint evenly. Multiple coats will yield better results. After the paint has completely dried, you can apply a layer of clear coat (also known as varnish) to enhance brightness, protect the paint, and increase durability.
The time required can vary greatly, mainly depending on the size of the paintwork area and the repair shop's workload. For small touch-ups like a scratched patch on a car door, some quick shops can return your car the same afternoon if you drop it off in the morning, while others might take half a day. However, if it's a full door repaint or even a complete vehicle respray, you'll need to wait at least two to three days. When I had my rear bumper fully repainted last time, the shop said it would take 72 hours because the paint needs drying time before polishing. High humidity can also slow down the process. Additionally, special colors like metallic or pearlescent finishes require extra layers of paint, extending the duration. If you're in a hurry, you can try pushing them, but for durable paintwork, it's best not to rush the job.
The time required for painting varies depending on the scope. For small scratches, like coin-sized damage, a skilled technician can complete the job in three to four hours—sanding, priming, color coating, clear coat baking, and polishing in one go. Full panel painting, such as an entire hood, takes over a day since each layer needs thorough drying. A full car repaint is the most time-consuming, requiring at least three to four days: old paint must be sanded off, and multiple coats need repeated baking. During peak workshop hours, you might also face a queue. It’s best to clarify the process steps in advance—some shops skip baking and opt for air drying, which compromises paint hardness.
