How long does it take to paint a car? — explained

Painting your vehicle is a venture that comes with a lot of contentment. Not only will your car have a new look, but it can noticeably enhance its value. Having your automobile repainted also demands an investment of money and time.

Whether you want to restore your car for sale, make it look good, or your car is involved in an accident, your vehicle will eventually need a paint job. Before taking your vehicle for a paint job, you must understand the painting process and all that is required. Also, you need to know that your car will stay in the auto shop for at least 40-80 hours but may stay as long as a week depending on how much prep work is required. 

How long does it take to paint a whole car? 

It takes about 40 to 80 hours (2-3 days) to complete a car painting job. The time taken depends on the size of your car and the bodywork needed. You should expect your car to be in the shop for about a week, even though some car painting shops boast a turn-around time of 3 days or less.  

You might be wondering why it takes so much time for a car to be repainted. New paint cannot be applied directly to an old car body, and the rough surface of a car’s body and already worn-out paint will not allow for a smooth application of a new coat. 

There must, first of all, be the completion of other prep work, including the removal of existing layers of paint, and fixing of scratches, holes, dents, etc., before new paint can be applied. The prep work a car requires will determine the overall price of the painting work.

What factors determine the time needed to paint a car?

There are lots of factors that can influence the time it will take to complete a car painting job. Before repainting your car, it is important to know these factors. They include:

Model of the vehicle 

The model of your vehicle, size, and style are major determinants of how long it will take to paint it. For instance, it will take longer to paint a full-sized SUV or van than a Coupe or a Sedan. But in cases where only a small area needs repainting or just a touch-up, the vehicle size may not matter.

Bodywork

Bodywork is yet another significant factor that determines how long it will take to paint a car. If the body panel of your vehicle is damaged, it will require more time for the damage to be repaired before applying the paint. If the cracks are ignored, it can lead to paint oxidation. Rust will also develop under the paint,  which can spread to other parts of the vehicle later on. If you need to fix that later, it will cost more. 

Preparation

The preparation stage takes time in the car painting process owing to the fact that the proper paint needs to be acquired. If you drive a luxury car or you have a specific paint colour or type, the process of acquiring adequate paint can take extra time. When the selection of paint and colour is made, the panel body of your vehicle needs to be sanded. Also, other surfaces that do not need painting must be covered and taped to avoid any damage. 

Paint Application

Once other factors have been put in place – paints have been acquired, and the surfaces prepped, the paint application can commence. The first stage of application is coating the vehicle with primer. The primer will be allowed to dry for a few hours. When the primer is dry, a few coats of paint will be applied and allowed to dry for about 30-90 hours, depending on what paint it is. This stage is followed up with a clear coat. The clear coat will dry for about 24 hours before the vehicle is buffed and polished. 

How long after painting a car can you drive it?

How long you can drive a painted car depends on the kind of paint or painting used and what type of car you have, whether modern or classic. Paint on modern cars will last differently compared to classic cars.

• Modern cars are often coated with paints made from urethane. These types of paints reflect UV rays excellently, making it possible for them to be durable for about 15 years. The downside is its high toxicity, requiring a professional to complete the touch-up with urethane paint. 
• Classic cars are cars made before the 1960s. They have either acrylic lacquer or acrylic enamel paint. These types of paint are known for their bright colours and shine. But they begin to fade and crack after about 5-10 years of exposure to sunlight. 

How much does it cost to paint a car fully? 

Prices for car painting depend on a few factors – prep work required, the number of parts and panels to be painted, and the quality of the paint used. There is a wide range of prices depending on where you are, what type of paint jobs you need, what model of car, and how much your car is damaged.

 For a basic paint job, it might cost you around $500 to repaint a vehicle. When a professional paint restoration is needed, the cost will be about $2,000 to 4,000. For luxury models, repair and customization, where high-quality paint jobs are required, cost around $5,000 or more in most cases. 

Factors that affect the cost of painting

Other factors can also contribute to the cost of painting a car, such as:

The quality of the job

A professional paint job will require more money for the service than a basic paint job. So if you need an immaculate outcome, you will consider a professional service and have to pay more.

Size of the vehicle

The larger the vehicle, the more costly it will be to paint it. For instance, it will cost more to paint a full-size SUV or truck than a mid-size sedan. So, you may have to wonder how long and how wide is a car before determining the cost of a new paint job.

Color of the paint

Your choice of color will affect the cost of the paint job. If you are going for a regular color like gray, black, or white, it will be cheaper compared to specialized colors.

Quality of paint

Using high-quality and durable paint is more expensive, affecting the average painting cost. Because of this, you may want to consider ceramic coat benefits to protect that fresh and expensive new paint layer of your car.

Repair and refurbishment

If your vehicle is defaced with dents, dust, or rust, it needs to be repaired before the paint is applied, which will be an additional cost. 

Why do people paint their cars?

People have different reasons for giving their cars fresh finishes, ranging from accidents to restorations. It may be time for a paint job if you love how your car drives but hate how it looks. Here are some of the reasons people choose to have their vehicle painted. 

Increase the resale value of the car

If your car’s paint could be in better condition and you are thinking about selling it soon, it may be very important to paint the vehicle. Usually, completing a paint job will increase the resale value of your much more than the cost of the service.

Scratch marks

Scratches on cars are not a good sight. Also, scratches or paint damage that leaves the metal of the vehicle’s metal body exposed can cause it to rust. The rust can then take hold and eventually lead to rust, creating holes in the body.

Our take

The final result of a car’s paint job is always worth it, even though it might take some time and cost some good money. Before you bring in your car for a paint job, it is crucial to consider the various factors that determine how long it will take to get a paint job done and the cost of getting it done. 

Painting your car with high-quality and durable paints will save you cost and having to repaint the car often. It is highly recommended that one gets a professional paint job, even though it might be more costly, rather than doing a cheap job that might not stand the test of time.