Is the Original Car Paint Really That Important?
2 Answers
Automotive original factory paint is indeed very important. Here is more information about original car paint and aftermarket paint: 1. Original factory paint refers to the paint used when the car leaves the factory, applied to the entire frame using high-temperature paint, as there's no need to consider the heat resistance of other components. In contrast, aftermarket paint is only applied to parts of the body, requiring consideration of component heat resistance. The baking temperature for high-temperature paint is 190°C, while aftermarket paint is only 50-80°C, a significant difference. 2. Compared to original factory paint, repair paint lacks the passivation and phosphating processes and adds a filler (putty) process that is not beneficial for protection. Additionally, to achieve low-temperature curing, repair paint makes some sacrifices in final performance, far inferior to original factory paint in terms of hardness, adhesion, and aging resistance. 3. The materials used in original factory paint are also far superior to aftermarket paint. Original factory paint is precisely computer-mixed, not only vibrant and natural in color but also longer-lasting. Compared to aftermarket paint, it often results in completely different visual effects, sometimes with extremely noticeable color differences.
As an automotive collector enthusiast, I believe the original factory paint is truly super important. Imagine the paint job when a car first leaves the factory as its initial state record, with exquisite craftsmanship and outstanding rust resistance. In the used car market, vehicles with original paint typically command 10% to 20% higher prices because it indicates no prior accidents or major repairs. For classic car lovers, preserving original paint is a way to respect history. I personally maintain regular car washing and waxing to protect the paint surface, preventing minor scratches from escalating into major issues. In daily use, original paint also provides better resistance against UV rays and small stone impacts, extending the vehicle's lifespan. In short, within car enthusiast circles, the value of original paint is so high that I always inspect the paint condition first when evaluating a car.