What Does 'One Panel of Paint' Mean?
2 Answers
The surface of a car body is painted, and the body is composed of 13 major sections: the front bumper, rear bumper, left front fender, right front fender, left front door, left rear door, right front door, right rear door, left rear fender, right rear fender, hood, trunk lid, and roof. The painting of each section is referred to as 'one panel of paint.' Below is more related information about car paint: 1. Standard Paint: Standard paint is the most common and basic type of car paint. It comes in a single, solid color—white is white, red is red, and so on—without any gradients or mixing of other colors. Compared to metallic and pearl paints, standard paint is less expensive but tends to be more monotonous in appearance. Under sunlight, it does not produce the metallic or crystalline sheen seen in metallic or pearl paints but remains consistent, which can be described as understated. 2. Pearl Paint: Pearl paint, also known as mica paint, is a popular type of automotive topcoat. Its paint base contains mica pigments coated with titanium dioxide and iron oxide. When light hits the mica particles, it first takes on the color of the titanium dioxide and iron oxide, then undergoes complex refraction and interference within the mica particles. Pearl paint gives a novel, dazzling, and colorful visual effect. 3. Metallic Paint: Metallic paint is a direct translation of the original term 'Metallic-Paint.' This type of paint contains metallic powder, which causes the car's color and even its contours to change when viewed from different angles due to light refraction. In addition to its high hardness, metallic paint enhances the car's dimensional beauty. Another reason for its increasing popularity is that the inclusion of metallic powder increases the paint's hardness, making the surface more resistant to scratches.
My car got scratched before, and when I asked at the repair shop, the mechanic said just repairing one panel would do. A panel refers to an entire section, like a whole door or the hood. Painting one panel ensures color consistency, avoiding issues where one part looks good but another doesn't, which affects the appearance. I have experience with this—I once chose a cheaper shop to save money, but later there was a color mismatch, making it look like an ugly patch. So, I suggest everyone: painting one panel might seem simple, but it requires professional handling, using high-quality paint, and checking for consistent glossiness. Also, regularly washing and waxing your car helps maintain the paint's health. Price-wise, a standard car panel costs around 200-300 RMB, but it's worth paying more at a good shop rather than dealing with rework.
