What Should I Know Before Getting My Car Repainted?
Getting your vehicle repainted is surely an exciting experience. While you spend time and money making your car look new, you should know that the process can be a bit overwhelming at the same time. Repainting a vehicle is no less than an art and not everyone can do it. To ensure the best quality, you need to be familiar with the entire process as well. Moreover, after repainting, you should consider the installation of a paint protection film to keep the paint from getting chipped and scratched. Let’s know what it takes to get your vehicle repainted and things you want to consider during the process.
Not Every Expert Is An Expert
The first and the most important rule of getting your vehicle repainted is that not everyone you assume is an expert even if some people label them as expert. While searching for the right individual out there, you will be overwhelmed with the number of choices you have to deal with.
Repainting a vehicle is a process that takes place in multiple stages. The quality and time depend on the tools, equipment, and techniques used by the painter. As a general rule of thumb, you should only opt for a painter after going through their portfolio or personally inspecting their repainted vehicles.
You have to keep in mind that repainting a vehicle is a lot different than a vehicle getting painted by the manufacturer before it rolls off the showroom floor. Manufacturers use advanced and modern techniques to ensure consistent paint quality combined with a longer lifespan.
Plus, you should also inspect the way the painter is applying or mixing paint, which is the most important factor in ensuring the best paint quality. And, you should also choose an expert who carries a license or certification specializing in repainting vehicles.
Prices May Vary
When it comes to repainting a vehicle, you should know that the tools, techniques, and equipment used by the painters also vary as well. This affects the overall cost of painting your vehicle. You might come across a painter who is charging half of what the other painter is.
This is because the former uses cheaper tools and most probably low-quality paint while the latter specializes in repainting vehicles and uses a lot better quality technique. This means that you can expect the prices to fluctuate.
Furthermore, if you are opting for a professional to work on your vehicle, you should keep in mind that the expense is going to be a lot more. Repainting a vehicle is also about intricate details that come together to bring a lot of difference in the result.
Painting A Vehicle Takes Time
It is commonly believed that repainting a vehicle does not take much time and the auto paint technician unnecessarily consume too much of it. As mentioned earlier, repainting a vehicle takes place in multiple stages and each stage needs to be carried out carefully to ensure the procedure following is done right.
Plus, the overall time it takes to repaint the vehicle also depends on the color and condition of the vehicle. If the vehicle is old and is rusted and corroded, the painter will not only have to strip the paint but also remove oxidation and rust, which alone takes a lot of time.
Moreover, if there are dents or damage to the vehicle, the painter will have to correct and level the surface before the paint can be applied. Most importantly, vehicles cannot be repainted in just any environment. You need controlled environments free of dust and dirt that can directly affect the paint quality.
If you are willing to pay the price, your painter will paint your vehicle in a booth to protect the paint. This way, your vehicle and its paint job will look spotless.
Car Paint Doesn’t Last Forever
You might think that repainting your vehicle will make it last forever. If the original paint of your vehicle did not last long, you cannot assume the same in the case of repainting. The reason is that even though the longevity and finish of the paint depends on how the vehicle is repainted but a lot depends on the maintenance as well.
Once the vehicle has been repainted, you will need to look after it to ensure it lasts for last. This means you will need to invest in the right quality tools and equipment to prevent swirls or scratches. Plus, you will also need to learn to wash and dry the vehicle using proper drying materials and techniques.
In addition to that, you will also need to purchase a washing shampoo and some waxes and polishes to keep the paint shiny and protect it from dirt dust, etc. If possible and you can afford it, there is nothing better than visiting a detailer and asking them to make your car look better.
In addition to keeping the maintaining the paint, you should be proactive in maintaining other parts of your car like the interior. Apart from regular cleaning and precautions, you should install auto glass tinting Springfield as it will block UV rays that will help increase the life of your car’s interior.
Painting Requires Removing the Car’s Interior
If you are a car fanatic, you might have worked on the interior and added some luxury items or other features or accessories. It should not be an issue but you should know that repainting a vehicle requires removing most of the interior as well. This is done to prevent the interior, especially the fabric and finish, from being damaged or painted as well.
Repainting a vehicle is a mentally draining job as well apart from physical exertion. It can get quite messy and that is why, you would not want to take any chances and remove the seats and other accessories. If you are not able to do so, you should cover the interior of the vehicle.
The Car Will Need Curing
Once the vehicle has been repainted, it will rest in the paint booth for a few days until the paint has cured. The curing process happens to an important last stage where the paint is allowed to bond properly to the vehicle. Plus, the paint also takes time to settle and you have to keep it away from dirt, dust, and other particles during the process.
The curing process also depends on the weather conditions and season. The curing process takes a bit longer when the temperature is cold outside as compared to being warm. The paint needs a warm temperature to cure. Therefore, once you have driven your vehicle back to your house, you should give it a few days to rest and cure.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that it takes a bit of time and effort to go through the process. However, you also be aware of the steps that will help you understand the overall process and ensure the best paint quality. And, make sure that you properly maintain the vehicle post-repainting and maintain a schedule. It includes PPF installation done from a highly regarded protective car film shop Springfield. This will help increase and maintain the value of the vehicle should you decide to sell it in the future.