How Long Does Paint Last on a Car?

The paint on your vehicle is essential to its resale value and your overall satisfaction when you drive through Santa Monica. Taking care of your vehicle’s paint is an important part of the maintenance process. As with most things, the paint on your car will age and eventually need to be replaced. How long does paint last on a car? The paint on most modern vehicles will last about 10 – 15 years, while the paint on vehicles made before the 1960s will last about 5 – 10 years. Learn more about how long paint lasts on a car with Eli’s Collision Repair, then read more about how much a new car paint job will cost and how to repair car paint oxidation.

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How Many Years Will Automotive Paint Last?

The paint on your vehicle has two purposes: to make it look good and protect your vehicle’s body from rust and oxidation. The paint on your vehicle should last 10 – 15 years if it’s properly cared for, but exposure to the elements, long-term exposure to sunlight, and acidic substances can damage your car paint or make it age quicker. The type of paint your vehicle has will also be a factor in how long it lasts. Read more about this below:

Modern Vehicles: Most modern vehicles have paint made from urethane. This paint is excellent at reflecting UV rays, which gives it a lifespan of about 15 years. However, due to its high toxicity, it’s strongly recommended that you have a professional complete a touch-up or new paint job with urethane paint.
Classic Vehicles: Vehicles made before 1960 have either acrylic lacquer or acrylic enamel paint. This paint is excellent due to its bright colors and shine, but after about 5 – 10 years of sunlight exposure it begins to fade and crack. This paint is still very popular among showcar owners and hobbyists who want to learn how to restore a vehicle due to its easy application and low toxicity.

How Professionals Paint a Car

If your vehicle has chipped, cracked, or dull paint, you may be searching “how to paint a car” on your computer or smartphone. While understanding how car paint is applied is useful, a DIY approach is not recommended. Not only will you risk exposure to toxic chemicals with car paints, but the trial and error that comes with a DIY paint job will negatively affect your vehicle’s appearance and resale value. The peace of mind that comes with getting a professional paint job is well worth the cost.

When a professional team repaints your vehicle, you’re guaranteed that it will be restored to like-new conditions. Plus, a professional team can identify and repair any damage from chipped, scratched, or unpainted surfaces on your vehicle. Read more about how professional teams repaint a car below:

An inspection is performed to identify any damage under the paint that would prevent restoration. If any damage is found, it is repaired before the painting process begins.
The surface of the vehicle is sanded to the bare metal and then cleaned.
Corrosion-resistant primer is applied and allowed to cure.
After dying, the primer is sanded down and the surface thoroughly cleaned.
A sprayer is used to apply several coats of paint. The paint is then allowed to dry.
Clear Coat is applied to give your vehicle a high-gloss appearance.
The exterior of your vehicle is then buffed and polished before being returned to you.

Have Your Car Paint Restored at Eli’s Collision Repair

If your vehicle needs a paint job, trust the team at Eli’s Collision Repair! We have certifications from top automotive manufacturers and agencies, ensuring the quality of our restorations. You can get a free estimate online or bring your vehicle to one of our locations in California for an in-person consultation. Contact our team to schedule an appointment for a car paint job today!

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