What is the process of a full car paint job?
2 Answers
Here is a detailed introduction to the process of a full car paint job: 1. Cleaning and sanding: After scratches or collisions, body repair is usually required to restore the basic shape. Professional paint sanding tools are used to remove the original paint, exposing the metal panels. 2. Filling dents: Applying putty ensures a smooth paint surface and fills in any dents. This process is typically repeated three times, as it directly affects the final paint result. 3. Base preparation: A paint scanner is used to analyze the car's paint, followed by manual fine-tuning. Due to slight variations in paint over different vehicle ages, technicians need to compare paint samples with the car's color on-site. 4. Painting: The main types of paint used are standard paint, metallic paint, and pearl paint.
I've gone through the full car repainting process for sedans several times, and it generally consists of several major stages. It starts with preparing the body—thoroughly cleaning to remove dirt and old paint, then carefully sanding the surface to ensure smoothness. This is the foundation, as even a speck of dust can affect subsequent steps. Next comes repairing any dents or rust, such as filling them with putty, waiting for it to dry, and then sanding it smooth. After that, all areas not to be painted are masked off, like windows, tires, and light covers, using specialized tape and masking paper to cover them tightly. The painting itself is done in three layers: first, a primer is sprayed to enhance adhesion; once dry, the base coat is applied for color; and finally, a clear coat is added as a protective layer against wear. Each layer should be sprayed thinly and evenly in a well-ventilated area, as improper temperature or humidity control can cause bubbles or streaks. After drying, polishing and waxing are done to enhance the shine. The entire process takes about a few days. I recommend going to a professional shop—they use ovens to speed up drying, resulting in a more durable finish.
