The Difference Between Automotive Baking Paint and Spray Painting?
2 Answers
Automotive baking paint and ordinary spray painting differ in the following aspects: 1. Process differentiation: Baking paint: Apply three layers of primer and four layers of topcoat on the substrate, with each layer being baked in a dust-free, constant-temperature baking room; Spray painting: Apply putty on the substrate, then spray paint over it and let it dry naturally. 2. Paint film differentiation: Baking paint: Smooth edges, uniform color, even paint film, and rich color. Spray painting: Rough edges, lighter color than the door panel, uneven paint film, and less rich color. 3. Surface differentiation: Baking paint: Flat and smooth surface. Spray painting: Surface has particles, is not smooth, and feels unusual to the touch.
I previously worked in an auto repair shop for several years and frequently dealt with paint issues. The biggest difference between baked paint and spray paint lies in the process: baked paint requires a specialized baking booth where it's cured at high temperatures, reaching over 60°C, which completely solidifies the paint molecules. The resulting finish is as hard as glass—no scratches even from fingernails—and the gloss can last over five years without fading. Spray paint, on the other hand, is simply applied with a spray gun and left to air-dry. It's quicker and cheaper, but the finish is much softer; a branch scrape on a rainy day might expose the primer. Another critical point: baked paint demands strict environmental controls—it must be applied in a dust-free booth, or a single speck trapped in the finish ruins it. Spray paint can be done in a regular workshop. My advice? Opt for baked paint if you plan to keep the car for a decade; go with spray paint for a temporary fix.
