Will There Be Color Difference When Touching Up Paint on a New Car?
2 Answers
There will usually be some color difference when touching up paint on a new car. Solutions for color difference: Repainting is recommended. It is advisable to seek professional paint repair services. Before repainting, the existing car body paint needs to be removed. If the area requiring repainting is large and there is a discrepancy between the old and new color versions, a full-body repaint may be considered. Car body paint: The paint on a car's body is quite complex, consisting of four layers from the inside out: the electrocoat layer, primer layer, base color layer, and clear coat layer. The clear coat layer is most susceptible to damage, with most minor scratches typically occurring on this layer. Scratches on the clear coat can be removed through polishing. Precautions: It is best to have car paint jobs done at a 4S shop. These shops are more meticulous in both color matching and painting techniques. A 4S shop services only one car brand and has complete vehicle information, allowing them to accurately identify the paint code through verification. In terms of technique, 4S shop repair technicians undergo professional training, making their repairs relatively more professional. Additionally, color testing on sample panels is essential before actual painting to ensure color accuracy.
To be honest, color mismatch is quite common with new car touch-up paint! My own car got scratched within three months of purchase, and even with the original manufacturer's touch-up at the 4S shop, the color difference is noticeable under streetlights at night. The technician explained this happens because the painting environment temperatures differ—factory paint is baked at over 200 degrees Celsius, while 4S shops can only reach about 70-80 degrees. Moreover, as the car's paint oxidizes and changes color over time, applying fresh paint is like patching new fabric onto old clothes. However, most 4S shops now use spectrophotometers for color matching, so choosing a reputable shop can minimize the color discrepancy.
