Is the Paint Applied at a 4S Shop the Same as the Original Car Paint?
2 Answers
The paint applied at a 4S shop is not the same as the original car paint. The original car paint is typically a high-temperature paint, requiring a processing temperature of over 200 degrees Celsius. This complex process can only be implemented on a bare car frame, a condition that 4S shops do not possess. Below are the specific details: The original factory paint usually consists of four layers on the car body steel plate: the electrophoretic layer, the intermediate coat, the color paint layer, and the clear coat. The original factory paint is applied using assembly lines, robotic arms, and full-body spraying. In contrast, paint jobs done later at 4S shops or repair shops are merely touch-up paints, only repairing the scratched-off color paint layer and clear coat. The construction process at 4S shops is more manual, influenced by factors such as management level, personnel technical skills, sense of responsibility, and condition. Painting Methods: Factory painting workshops generally use thermal radiation to bake the car body, with temperatures as high as 200 degrees Celsius. The baking process is also quite complex, involving heating segments, heat preservation segments, and rapid cooling. The paint surface produced this way is of extremely high quality, with excellent strength and stability. 4S shops typically use baking lamps for the baking process.
Let me share my experience as an ordinary car owner. Once, my car had a paint scratch, so I took it to a 4S shop for repair, expecting a perfect restoration. However, I later noticed some differences compared to the original paint. The factory paint is applied using a high-temperature baking process at the manufacturing plant, resulting in a thicker, more durable coating with excellent rust and scratch resistance. The paint applied at the 4S shop uses a low-temperature baking method. Although they purchase paint with the original factory formula and the color may appear similar, I observed that under sunlight, the gloss sometimes differs slightly, and the texture feels less smooth. After the repair, I had to maintain it regularly, such as applying professional car wax, otherwise the repaired area tended to fade or bubble. Overall, 4S shop services are quite reliable, especially for minor damage repairs—they save time, money, and are professional. However, don’t expect a complete restoration to the original new-car quality. Over time, the paint ages faster, so I remind my friends: when buying a used car, checking the paint condition can help reveal major repair history.
