Is the pearl white paint sprayed at a 4S shop the original factory paint?
2 Answers
The paint sprayed at a 4S shop is not the original factory paint. The baking temperatures for repair paint and original factory paint differ. Original factory paint is a high-temperature paint, baked at 200-300 degrees Celsius, while repair paint is a low-temperature paint, baked at only 70-80 degrees Celsius. Quality issues with the paint: The quality of the paint is reflected in aspects such as corrosion resistance, adhesion, wear resistance, and color. If the paint color is off or of poor quality, it becomes very difficult to match the original car color, leading to noticeable color differences after application. Spraying process issues: At repair shops, painting is generally done manually, and the occurrence of color differences is closely related to the technician's skill. Factors such as color ratio adjustment and spraying proficiency play a significant role. Vehicle age issue: Some vehicles are older, and their body paint has been exposed to wind, sun, and rain for a long time, often resulting in aging and darkening. When new paint is applied over old paint, it creates a stark contrast, making the color difference appear very noticeable.
A few days ago, I went to the 4S shop for pearl white paintwork. They claimed it was original factory paint, but from my experience, it's not 100% authentic. New cars are painted with high-temperature baking at the factory, making the paint exceptionally hard and durable. In contrast, 4S shops typically use low-temperature baking. Although the paint formula is similar, the strength is slightly inferior. Pearl white has a sparkling effect achieved by mixing special powders. If the temperature or pressure isn't well-controlled during spraying, the color can become uneven, leading to noticeable differences in sunlight. Last time my car was sprayed, the left door panel turned out slightly darker, and I had to go back to adjust the color code to get a barely acceptable match. The advantage is that 4S shops have professional craftsmanship and offer free rework within the warranty period, making them much more reliable than roadside shops. I recommend having them test-spray a small panel for comparison before proceeding, especially if the car is older, as color changes become more noticeable. Overall, it's quite close but not absolutely original factory quality.
