Choosing the Right Auto Paint Shop

There are a few important things to consider when choosing the right auto paint shop. Whether it’s a faded original coat, body work, or you just want to try something new, follow these steps and you will be happy with your new auto paint job.

First, automotive paint is unique in that it has a hard job to perform. It has to both withstand the elements AND look shiny and flawless. For these reasons paint quality and painter skill are very important considerations. This article will educate you on what to look for to find a quality auto paint shop that takes pride in their craft.

Interview the Auto Paint Shop

The first thing you should do is have a conversation with the auto paint shop. You want to get a feel for their process to gauge whether they pay attention to the details that make for a great paint job.

So what are those details?

Start off by asking them to walk you through their prepping process. Some shops will cut corners by painting over emblems, trim, and door handles. This make the job easier but results in an ugly paint job. To do the job right, as many accessories as possible need to be removed before the panels are painted. It might not hurt to agree before-hand which accessories need to be taped or removed.

Ask About Color Matching

Getting the color right is often very difficult due to fading from the original paint. Part of the vehicle identification number (VIN) contains the paint code for your vehicle, so getting the correct color code usually isn’t a problem, but matching it to the age of your car is where true skill comes into play. Experienced technicians have various techniques to compensate for these differences.

First Impressions Matter

Cleanliness matters in an auto paint shop setting. Cleanliness is something that you should actually see! Do not believe what they tell you over the phone. See it for yourself. Dust and particles in the air can affect a smooth finish. For this reason there can’t be any dirt or dust mixing with the paint. Paint booths have filters but an extremely dirty shop will leave dust that  finds its way into the paint booth. You must also consider that if a shop is overall dirty, then its paint booth is probably not all that much better. What you are looking for here is an auto paint shop that communicates to you that cleanliness matters to them.

Ask for Samples

Look online or ask to see samples of the shop’s work and look closely at the details. Does it look like trim and accessories that should have been removed were painted over? Some of the worst examples are seeing that the car’s badge, it’s brand emblem, was painted over. Badging is usually chromed, so verify these types of details.

Do They Offer a Warranty?

Shoddy workmanship may fade after a few years. Make sure that the shop offers a warranty. Some paint jobs can cost thousands of dollars, so you want to make sure that this investment will last.

In Summary: Choosing an Auto Paint Shop

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that painting a car is a detail-oriented job.  Discuss the particulars of the job and interview the shop to gauge their attention to detail. Visually inspect the shop to make sure they take cleanliness seriously, and last but not least, do not pay the bill until you have inspected the job to make sure there are no runs that need to be corrected.

Do You need a New Paint Job?

Quality Assured Collision Center has been serving the Long Beach, CA community since 2004. We specialize in auto paint, collision repair, body work, dent repair, car restoration, and mechanical work. We can offer towing, drop-off and pick-up and even perform a free 15-point inspection on your vehicle. As experts on all insurance situations, we will help guide you through the process and we work with all types of financing situations for those paying out of pocket.

Call us now or text us a picture of your vehicle to (562) 599-0766