Is it necessary to go to a 4S shop for Mazda red paint touch-up?
3 Answers
Mazda red paint touch-up can also be done at a repair shop, as long as the same car paint can be found. The following is a related introduction to car paint touch-up: Process: The specific process of paint touch-up includes determining the repair scope, assessing the damage level, construction protection, base layer treatment, masking and degreasing, spraying color paint, spraying clear paint, blending treatment, baking, and finally grinding and polishing the paint surface. If the paint loses its gloss during the polishing process, it can be restored by using a high-speed polishing machine with a special polishing compound. Precautions: The hardness of the touched-up paint is lower than that of the original factory paint, and excessive water pressure can damage the car body paint surface, so try not to use high-pressure water to rinse the car body directly.
As a veteran driver who has been driving Mazdas for over a decade, I must say that Mazda's Soul Red Crystal color is particularly difficult to match for repairs. It has a special pearlescent effect, and most ordinary auto repair shops lack the proper equipment, which can result in noticeable color discrepancies. However, you don't necessarily have to go to a dealership. You can also find professional auto body shops outside, as long as they have access to the original paint formula and the right experience and equipment. When I scraped the rear of my car, I went to a reliable small shop and got it done for half the price with great results. If you're on a tight budget, compare prices before making a choice, but avoid roadside stalls—otherwise, not only will you waste money, but a mismatched color could also affect your car's resale value. In short, minor damages can be handled by small shops, while major repairs for perfection should be done at the dealership. Safety is always the top priority.
My previous car was painted in Mazda's Soul Red Crystal, and I was really upset when it got scratched. I asked at the 4S shop, but the quote was ridiculously high. Later, I checked online reviews and found a local professional body shop that did a great job—cheaper and with almost no visible color difference. However, you must be careful when choosing and make sure they have the equipment to match this special red; otherwise, a botched paint job would be even harder to fix. Personally, I don’t think going to a 4S shop is a must—saving money is key—but I recommend taking a few photos and sending them to several shops to compare the results. If you have time, waiting for an appointment can save money, but if you care about the factory-level gloss, then just go to the 4S shop without hesitation. The car's color is its face—even a slight difference can be annoying.
