How many days does a full car paint job take?

[SanMargaret]

Generally, a full car paint job takes 3-4 days. Full car painting is a type of synthetic paint made from nitrocellulose, resins, pigments, solvents, etc. It is typically sprayed evenly onto the car surface using a spray gun. The paint is characterized by its water resistance, oil resistance, and fast drying. The process of car painting: Cleaning: First, thoroughly clean the car surface to remove dust and debris, and determine the repair process; Oiling: Apply oil treatment to the areas to be painted; Sanding: Choose appropriate sandpaper to sand the parts that need painting, ensuring all the paint is smoothed out; Applying putty: After sanding off all the paint, apply putty to fill in the gaps; Cleaning and masking: After applying putty, use an air gun to blow away dust and impurities from the surface to prevent paint splashes; Painting: Spray the pre-mixed paint, which can be done in 3-5 passes; Finishing: After the paint dries, sand and adjust any uneven areas to make them smooth and clean. Precautions after car painting: If the car has just been painted, avoid contact with water and dust on the newly painted areas; It's best not to drive out in rainy weather, as the fresh paint may leave marks when exposed to rain, and it's advisable to park in a garage at night.

[Rachel]

Last week, I just had a full car repaint, and the whole process took about four days. On the first day, they parked the car inside and started removing the trim pieces and light assemblies, then spent time sanding the body surface to ensure there was no rust or old paint residue. The second day was for applying the primer coat, which had to dry completely to avoid bubbles. On the third day, they sprayed the color coat and clear coat, and after spraying, they couldn’t polish it immediately—it had to dry overnight in the baking room. On the final day, they performed detailed polishing. The painting time depends on the weather and the repair shop’s workload. In the heat of summer, drying is faster, and it might take three days, but during the rainy season, it’s normal for it to stretch to five days. I recommend booking an appointment at least a week in advance to avoid peak periods; otherwise, the waiting time will be even longer. In short, be patient—only then will the paint quality be reliable.

[VanEleanor]

Painting requires a proper process and can't be done in a hurry. Generally, a full car repaint takes anywhere from two to five days, depending on the vehicle's size and complexity. A small car might be done in two days, but for larger vehicles like SUVs, just sanding and dust removal can take a full day. Then comes the primer, which needs several hours to cure before the color coat can be applied. After the color coat dries, a clear coat is added—this step is the most time-consuming, requiring at least 24 hours of natural or baked drying. Every step must be meticulous; rushing can lead to peeling or flaking. I often watch related videos to learn and think preparing supplies like tape and spray guns in advance can speed things up, but professional shops handle it more reliably.

[CoraRose]

A full car repaint typically takes around three days, but is influenced by various factors. For minor treatments like small cars with no obvious damage, a quick spray job can be completed in about two days, including preparation and basic polishing. If there are deep scratches or rust on the body, repairs must be done first, extending the process to over four days. The drying stage is critical—rushing it may lead to uneven paint or peeling. In terms of cost, expedited services might shorten the time, but quality and warranty coverage could suffer. When choosing a repair shop, I prefer comparing several options and selecting a reputable one to avoid rework later. Avoid scheduling the job during humid seasons, as slow drying increases costs.

[LeEvelyn]

A full car repaint shouldn't be rushed. From my experience, it takes at least three to four days. On day one, the body is prepped—parts are removed, rust is treated, and surfaces are sanded smooth and dust-free. Day two is for applying primer, which needs about eight hours to air dry naturally. On day three, color coats and clear coat are applied in layers, with at least six hours of cooling between each layer. The final clear coat must be baked overnight in a sealed environment. These steps ensure gloss and durability—skipping any can lead to peeling or discoloration. Quality shops use automated spray guns, but drying times can't be shortened. I recommend building in buffer days for rain or unexpected delays.