Is the Original Car Paint Really That Important?
3 Answers
Original car paint is indeed important. The factory paint consists of a primer, middle coat, color coat, and clear coat. If the primer of the factory paint is scratched off, it is impossible to fully repair this original primer layer during repainting. Subsequent repainting only includes the middle coat, color coat, and clear coat layers. Electrophoretic layer: In the painting workshop of the car factory, the car body undergoes pre-spraying treatment to meet electrophoretic requirements, preventing metal rusting, commonly referred to as the primer. Middle coat: Applied on the electrophoretic layer, it provides adhesion conditions for the color coat, enhances the anti-corrosion protection of the car body, and is then dried in an environment above 130 degrees Celsius. Color coat: Applied under constant temperature and humidity conditions, controlled by a computer to spray different colors, it further strengthens the anti-corrosion protection of the car body. Clear coat: Sprayed automatically by a computer, it becomes the outermost transparent protective layer of the car. After all spraying is completed, it is dried in a drying oven at temperatures ranging from 130°C to 190°C to protect the car body color and prevent minor scratches.
I'm a frequent driver and own an older car that's been running for five or six years. The original paint is really important. Small scratches and dings are common in daily use, but as long as the metal layer isn't damaged, a simple touch-up can fix it without affecting the overall appearance. If the entire car is repainted, the color might not match perfectly, and over time, it can easily turn yellow or fade, especially noticeable under sunlight, making the car look cheap. More importantly, the factory paint is professionally applied when the car leaves the plant, with a thicker anti-rust layer and much better corrosion resistance. Once, my car got scratched, and I ignored it, leading to rust that cost a lot to repair. When buying or selling a used car, original paint proves the car is in good condition with no major accidents, adding significant value—sometimes tens of thousands more. Protecting the original paint is simple: regular washing and waxing can save on maintenance costs and extend the car's lifespan, making it absolutely worth it overall.
From my experience in buying and selling used cars, the original paint has a significant impact on the vehicle's value. Buyers first check whether the car has its original paint to assess its accident history. Even minor touch-ups can raise suspicions of the car being involved in an accident. I've handled several cars myself, and those with untouched original paint sell faster and for about 15% higher prices because it symbolizes the car's overall integrity and durability. The factory paint applied in dust-free workshops is uniform and weather-resistant, which is hard to match with later repairs. If the car has been repainted, issues like color mismatch and reduced paint durability will lead to dealers offering much lower prices. I recommend owners pay more attention to protecting the paint—drive carefully to avoid scratches and use soft cloths when washing the car. This way, the original paint retains its value better, minimizing losses when reselling. After all, a car's residual value is crucial, and maintaining it well is a smart way to save money.
