A brand-new paint job can completely transform the look of your vehicle, whether you’re restoring it after an accident or simply refreshing its appearance. At our Los Angeles collision repair center, we use advanced tools, premium materials, and expert techniques to ensure a flawless finish. Below are the key steps involved in giving your car a fresh coat of paint:
Before we start, our technicians carefully inspect your vehicle to identify any damage, such as dents, scratches, prior repairs, or rust spots. These issues are addressed before painting to ensure a smooth, even surface. Preparing the car’s exterior is essential for a high-quality finish.
In most cases, the old paint and clear coat must be stripped away to the bare metal to provide a clean base for the new paint job. This is typically done with paint manufacturer-approved stripping procedures and speciality sanding tools. Our team ensures this step is performed meticulously to avoid damaging the underlying surface.
Dents, scratches, or rust are repaired during this stage. Body filler may be applied to fill in minor imperfections, followed by sanding to create a perfectly smooth surface. This step ensures the new paint will adhere properly and look flawless.
Areas that don’t require painting, such as windows, trim, and lights, etc. are carefully removed from the vehicle then masked and taped off. Essentially, the car is stripped to its shell. This protects those parts from overspray, while ensuring crisp, clean lines for the rest of the car.
A high-quality primer is applied to the vehicle to create a stable base for the new paint. Primer helps the paint adhere to the surface and provides additional protection against corrosion. Once the primer is applied, it’s left to dry and then lightly sanded for a smooth finish. If your vehicle is in need of a complete restoration, it is typically dipped to ensure the old rust is removed, prior to applying primer.
Prior to painting the vehicle, first the paint needs to match! Your vehicle comes with a color or paint code, which we then put in our sophisticated color matching system (CMS). This stage is imperative in order for the rest of the steps to be successful, and it includes a computer-generated formula breakdown followed by test sampling. This is to guarantee the color matches the exact color from the manufacturer.
The exciting part begins with the application of the new paint. Our technicians apply several layers of paint to achieve the desired color and depth. The number of layers is determined by the manufacturer. At Eli’s, we have the leading brands of spray booths and paint tools. Each layer is allowed to dry before the next one is applied, ensuring even coverage.
After the base color is applied, a clear coat is added to seal the paint and give it a glossy, durable finish. This layer protects the paint from UV rays, chips, and environmental damage while enhancing its shine.
The vehicle is left to cure in a controlled environment to ensure the paint sets properly. After curing, the surface is polished to remove any minor imperfections and achieve a mirror-like look.
Once the painting and polishing processes are complete, our technicians re-assemble the parts that were removed for protection, or needed to be replaced. Parts are reinstalled or replaced to factory specifications.
Finally, our team conducts a thorough quality inspection to guarantee the paint job meets our high standards. We check for color accuracy, even application, and overall finish. This stage also includes intensive quality control testing of the entire care after reassembly. Lastly, we finish the job with a complete interior/exterior detail.
Whether you need a full-body paint job or minor touch-ups or a complete restoration, our Los Angeles collision repair center has the expertise to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and give your car the new look it deserves!
