Is repainting necessary if the primer is exposed?
4 Answers
If the metal is visible, repainting is required. If it's white, you can get some white paint from a paint shop to dab on, or use a touch-up pen. Definition of car painting: Car painting refers to applying a layer of paint to the car's surface to protect it. Automotive paint is usually baking enamel. In car manufacturing plants, after the frame and body are welded, the next step is painting. Types include standard paint, metallic paint, and pearl paint. The car painting process involves applying putty, sanding, and painting. Precautions for touch-up painting: When repairing the car's paint surface, always go to a professional institution and ensure the repair is done by a specialist.
Last time my car got scratched down to the bare metal, my neighbor who's an experienced auto repair technician told me I must address it promptly. Exposed primer on metal body panels means losing the protective layer - rainwater can cause the steel to rust through in just two or three months. Plastic bumpers fare better, but metal areas like doors and fenders absolutely require repainting. I've personally seen the tragic sight of a roadside car with rust holes in its rear wheel arches. Proper repainting involves multiple steps: first sanding smooth, then applying rust-proof primer, followed by basecoat and finally clear coat. A temporary touch-up pen can hide the damage, but for a permanent solution, professional repainting is necessary.
As a budget-conscious car owner, my experience is to decide based on the damage location. For plastic parts like side mirrors scratched by flower beds, there's no need to rush for a paint job—even nail polish can temporarily prevent rust. However, if the car door exposes metal, I immediately apply three layers with a touch-up pen: first a thin coat of rust-proof primer, let it dry completely, then apply color paint, and finally a layer of clear nail polish as a topcoat. This costs less than twenty yuan and can last half a year, much more cost-effective than spending five or six hundred on a full panel repaint right away. Of course, for a flawless finish, it's best to have a professional painter perform a spot repair. Nowadays, there's a quick-repair technique that can fix palm-sized scratches in just two hours.
Exposed primer on a vehicle essentially means the metal panel loses its protective layer. Having dealt with scratches on my own car's hood, I found three compelling reasons for repainting: First, the anti-corrosion function is compromised, especially critical for aluminum hoods which require specialized treatment. Second, with the color coat damaged, direct sunlight accelerates aging of surrounding paint. Lastly, it negatively impacts used car valuation. DIY repairs can temporarily cover with zinc-rich primer, but long-term solutions require professional painting. Many repair shops now offer minimally invasive spot painting services, proving more time and cost effective than traditional full-panel repainting.
