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A vehicle's paint job loses its shine due to several factors ranging from elements of nature to something as simple as not getting car washes often enough. Even though it is an unfortunate event to realize that your vehicle's paint is losing its life, there is a way to fix it through a custom paint job. Auto body paint experts take a thorough approach should you get custom paint work done. Here is a list of how paint becomes damaged, a brief explanation of when professionals say it's time to have work done, and the complete paint job process.
Vehicle Paint Damage Sources
- Bugs
- Sun damage
- Water spots
- Lack of routine carwashes
Bugs
Bugs are often inevitable and are a typical result of traveling long distances. The acidity from dead bug splatter has the power to sabotage your vehicle's paint job. It can be difficult to remove if it sits too long, especially during warm months.
Sun
The sun can burn our skin and it works the same way with the paint of a vehicle. The sun's intense UV rays deplete the topcoat, which is a protection of the color. Consuming the topcoat can cause a decrease in a vehicle's shine, creating a dull look.
Water and Carwashes
Although carwashes are essential for the health of a vehicle's paint job, it is also crucial to ensure water droplets are dried off afterward. Mineral-rich water has the power to dry into the paint of a vehicle and become etched into it. Experts say the sun and water drops create a "baking the spot" effect. So, a vehicle must be dried off after carwashes, rainstorms, and routine lawn care with the sprinklers, preferably with a microfiber towel. Routine carwashes are vital because they ensure your vehicle is clear of all the listed possibilities of dirt and debris. Your paint is most protected when it is clean. The clear coat can only take so much to preserve the color of your vehicle, which is why it is pivotal to get rid of elements powerful enough to make it dull or get rid of it altogether. On top of these variations of dirt and debris that can cause paint damage to your vehicle, there are other paint repair motivators. Some of these motivators may even be due to an accident.
When is a Custom Paint Job Needed?
The most common reason that paint job professionals recommend custom paint work is due to an auto collision. After auto accidents, parts are often removed and replaced, and the replacement parts do not typically match the color of the vehicle being repaired. On top of collisions being the number one reason to get auto paint work done, professionals also recommend it to increase resale value, reverse damages caused by wear and tear and natural elements like dirt and debris, and if the driver is ready for a new look. Getting custom paint work done on a vehicle brings back that new car feeling. These reasons for paint repair are recommended by experts and ensure the vehicle stays in tip-top condition for as long as possible. The paint on a vehicle is built to last a significant amount of time which is why the process is one of a thorough, highly intricate, and repetitive effort.
What is the Paint Job Process?
The paint job process is one of many steps and includes meticulous labor. The process consists of eight steps starting with stripping and finalized with a color sanding and buffing method. Stripping is the process of stripping the vehicle of any existing materials until it is down to the metal. Doing so creates the best foundation for the next step, metal work. Metalwork is when professionals grind out any rust, weld recent patches, strengthen the areas that struggled with weakened metal and work on any areas that may be damaged. This step makes room for bodywork. The bodywork starts with using fillers for dings and edges that may be rough. The car gets sanded to be smooth and ready for the priming process.
Prime and Block
The prime and block step gives the vehicle a surface that is easier for the paint to adhere to and grants the vehicle a blemish-free look. The first time, the primer is block-sanded to get all the panels to the appropriate shape, and the second time is to be thorough and get the vehicle ready for sealing.
Sealer
Sealer keeps the base coat from bleeding through and losing its color. The sealer and primer are similar because they are both in place to restrain bleeding through the base coat. The sealer consists of a vital component that creates a durable finish and a non-permeable membrane for proper preparation of applying the base coat.
Base & Clear Coat
The base coat is one of the most important because it is the color coat. When placing the base coat, it is most important to apply it evenly to apply the clear coat properly. The clear coat creates the final finish that gives a vehicle shine and durability and should be used two or three times for definite longevity.
Final Painting Steps
The final painting process step is the color sanding and buffing step, which consists of a wet sand procedure to remove blemishes on the topcoat. This process contains three stages, starting with either 1200 or 1500 grit paper and working up to 3000 grit. After sanding, the vehicle is buffed and polished finally.
To complete the paint job process, auto body paint experts will also use a high-speed polisher for a complete look. The stages of the painting process require proper placement and attention to detail to ensure the vehicle has the perfect finish and long-lasting ability. Damaged paint can be rooted in numerous possibilities, so making carwashes a priority ensures a vehicle owner gets the most out of their paint job. When damage occurs and requires a professional to make repairs, here is knowledge of the process.