Is the paint touch-up at a 4S shop the same as the original factory paint?
3 Answers
4S shop paint touch-up is not the same as the original factory paint. Different temperatures: The original factory paint uses high-temperature paint, while 4S shops use low-temperature paint. The original factory paint is baked in a high-temperature oven, usually between 170 to 190 degrees Celsius. However, when performing touch-ups at a 4S shop, since the car is already equipped with many flammable components, the original high-temperature process cannot be used. Therefore, low-temperature paint is employed. Subsequent paint jobs at 4S shops or repair shops are all considered touch-up paint. Quality of the paint: The quality of the paint cannot be determined on the spot; it only becomes apparent after several years of use. Inferior paint has poor weather resistance, and within a year or two, the touched-up areas will show noticeable color differences compared to the rest of the car.
Oh, it's basically impossible for a 4S shop to perfectly match the original factory paint job. Think about it—factory paint is applied in massive assembly line facilities with ultra-strict temperature control, resulting in thick, uniform paint layers that are baked rock-hard at high temperatures. While 4S shops use the same paint formulas, their environment is far inferior. Small workstations lack sufficient drying heat, spray gun techniques vary by technician, so the new paint may be thinner, slightly less glossy, and prone to bubbling or fading over time. Plus, original paint changes color with age—even with computerized color matching, 4S shops struggle to get it exact. You’ll need to supervise their color sampling closely. Before repainting, take a photo of the original paint for comparison and complain immediately if issues arise—it’ll help you avoid some pitfalls.
I'm a seasoned driver with experience driving several cars and have gone through multiple paint touch-ups. Generally, the paint jobs done at 4S shops are quite reliable. They use original equipment and paint, and their staff are trained to achieve results close to the factory standard. However, achieving an exact match is unlikely because factory paint is applied by machines on an assembly line and cured at high temperatures, making the finish extremely durable. At 4S shops, the manual work is done in a smaller environment with shorter drying times, so the new paint's adhesion is weaker, and slight color differences or scratches may appear after rain or sun exposure. If you're a perfectionist, I recommend choosing an authorized 4S shop and carefully inspecting corners and seams after the touch-up. Otherwise, it might be more practical to save up and replace the part entirely. In short, good paint and proper car care are worth the investment—don't skimp on it.
