Is there a big difference between paint jobs at auto repair shops and 4S stores?
2 Answers
There is not much difference, except that 4S stores charge higher fees. Here is some relevant information about car paint: 1. Advantages of car paint: The paint film has good fullness, high gloss, high hardness, and excellent adhesion. It possesses superior mechanical properties, outstanding gloss retention, weather resistance, and wear resistance, as well as good resistance to acids, alkalis, alcohol, and gasoline. 2. Classification of car paint: Car paint can generally be divided into solid paint, metallic paint, and pearl paint. Solid paint is the most basic type, usually in white and red, with a pure overall color. Metallic paint, based on solid paint, incorporates metal powders like aluminum and copper, giving the paint a more textured appearance. Pearl paint, on the other hand, is more dazzling and similar to metallic paint, but with the addition of mica particles that make it shine brilliantly under sunlight.
As someone who frequently commutes by car, I find the difference in paint jobs between auto repair shops and 4S stores quite noticeable, mainly in terms of price and convenience. Last time I had a door scratch repaired at an auto shop, it only cost a few hundred yuan, and I got my car back the next day—saving both time and money. However, you have to be lucky to find a reliable small shop, otherwise there might be some color mismatch. At a 4S store, the cost doubles, and you often have to wait in line for several days, but the results are indeed much more refined. The root of this difference lies in their investments: 4S stores charge more to cover high-end equipment and training, while small shops have to cut costs and rely on experience. For minor everyday repairs, auto shops are sufficient, but for large-area paint jobs, 4S stores are the more reliable choice. Another related factor is environmental control—4S stores have professional paint booths to minimize dust interference, whereas auto shops’ open workshops often lead to color discrepancy issues.
