No matter how well you care for your car, it will eventually incur damage over time. Although we tend to focus on the internal workings of a vehicle, and understandably so, its external appearance matters as well. Right now, there are four main issues that cause auto body damage. These include negligence, fender benders, weather, and high-speed collisions. Fortunately, a lot of this damage isn’t too major and can be fixed with just a few aesthetic repairs.
Perhaps one of the more basic but effective repairs you can implement is a fresh coat of auto paint. Whether you’re refreshing a car that simply needs a new look, or restoring a heavily damaged vehicle, you should be aware that different selections of auto paint are being released constantly. The best types of paint that you could find at an auto body supply store a few years ago may already have been outpaced by new products. With that being said, let’s explore what you should consider when buying auto paint, and what to look for in this product.
1. Shade Matters
When choosing auto paint, you shouldn’t just think about the chemical components of the paint, but also the color. Some vehicle owners will prefer to keep their cars the same color throughout their lifetimes. Others like to switch up their paint colors simply because they’re interested in a different look. There is also occasionally an opportunity to lay down a fresh coat of paint, either because a car is being rebuilt or even built from a kit for the first time.
Different auto paint shades send different messages. If you’re planning on going to a typical office job, you may not necessarily want a car in a bright, unusual color like hot pink. A more neutral tone could fit in better with the general image you may be trying to project to others. Of course, opinions on color do change over time. While white, for example, was often associated with commercial vehicles in the past, now it’s seen as clean and modern. Metallic colors like gold and copper are also gaining popularity. And while bright yellows and reds may be seen as too flashy by some, others are embracing their boldness. Keep in mind that the color you choose could very well affect the value of your car.
2. Consider Resins
When buying auto paint, you should carefully consider the main three types of resins available among automotive paint supplies. These include acrylic enamel, acrylic lacquer, and urethane. All of these resins have different advantages and disadvantages.
Typically, those that choose urethane paints do so because these products tend to dry faster and are also rather durable. On the other hand, enamel paints are more environmentally friendly. They’re also water-based. Lacquer paints tend to be the most difficult to maintain of these three options. It will be the shiniest paint easily and is often favored for this reason. However, it must be regularly waxed in order to maintain that shine. Fortunately, you can often find this wax at auto body supply stores. But even if you use waxes, lacquer paint still often becomes brittle. This is why this type of paint is usually only used on restored classic cars.
3. Plan the Application Process
There are a lot of issues to think about before you paint a car. Remember the different types of paint applications. In both stages, you’ll need to think about priming the surface first. After that, you can take a one- or two-stage application process.
A single-stage application would involve applying the auto body supply products in a single coat, both the paint itself and the gloss blended together. In a two-stage application process, a base coat and the shade of paint are both applied before a clear layer is applied. This last layer adds gloss and further protects the paint job from the elements.
Before buying body shop supplies, remember how important it is to consider not just the brand of the supplies that you’re buying, but where you’re buying them from. Prioritize buying high-quality products from sellers that you trust. You can’t go wrong when working with people who can give you advice based on experience.
