Whether it's a huge gouge or a small chip, paint damage is something that requires prompt repair in order to prevent rust. Trying to make even small repairs on your own is challenging, which is why a professional auto shop should handle the job.

1. Color Matching 

Matching the color requires more finesse than simply ordering the right color from the manufacturer. Over time, paint colors can fade slightly, which means a fresh touchup will be slightly darker or more intense than the current car color. Shop technicians can mix their own paint to perfectly match the color of your car. They will also use blending techniques to further ensure the new touchup doesn't stand out. 

2. Trim Protection

Protecting the trim of the vehicle is another important consideration. For a small touchup, overspray may not be much of a concern. For larger touchups where the car will be painted with a spray gun, flecks of paint can easily get onto trim if precautions aren't taken. All trim and windows will be carefully taped off so that overspray won't cause any problems. 

3. Drip Avoidance

Drips are an amateur mistake. When touch-up paint is applied too heavily, it can drip and run down the side of the panel, leaving behind an ugly raises rivulet of dry paint. A professional at an auto body shop will apply paint in thin layers so it doesn't drip. Subsequent layers are applied as each dries until the paint repair is smooth and even over the entire body panel.

4. Dust Prevention

Body shops can be dusty places, and that dust can get onto a fresh paint job and contaminate it with ugly particles and a bumpy surface if care isn't taken. Paint booths serve two purposes. The first is to prevent paint and fumes from getting everywhere, while the second is to provide a clean, dust-free space for applying the paint. This is something you can't really achieve at home if you attempt the repair yourself.

5. Smooth Finish

One issue that can affect a small touchup, such as a chip repair, is that the repaired area isn't level with the surrounding paint. Applying a one-coat repair paint with no preparation is the cause. A shop technician will take extra steps to ensure a smooth finish. These include sanding down the area to be repaired and then applying the paint in thin coats until the surface is level. 

Contact an auto body repair shop if you need to have the paint on your car touched up following a minor collision. 

Share