What's the Right Way to Repaint a Car for Color Change? What Factors Matter?

1. How to Operate Color Change Spray Painting?

  To repaint a car for a color change, it’s essential to first understand the layers of the original factory paint. Factory paint typically consists of four layers: primer, mid-coat, basecoat (color layer), and clear coat. The primer primarily serves to prevent corrosion; the mid-coat acts as an intermediate layer to enhance the adhesion of the basecoat while increasing overall paint thickness for durability; the basecoat determines the vehicle’s color; and the final transparent clear coat protects the paint from UV damage while providing a glossy finish.

  Now, let’s discuss the process of a full-body repaint for a color change. To achieve a uniform finish, all body panels must first be removed. For unibody vehicles, the frame may even be disassembled for thorough preparation. The next step is surface treatment—sanding off the original clear coat and roughening the surface to ensure better adhesion for the new paint. The parts are then placed in a dust-free booth for basecoat and clear coat application, followed by baking. Finally, reassembly completes the process, delivering a car with a fresh new look.

2. What Are the Advantages of Spray Painting Over Wrapping for Color Change?

  A full-body repaint not only allows for a personalized color but also addresses unevenness caused by previous touch-ups or collisions. Unlike vinyl wrapping, which only covers the surface, spray painting ensures a more uniform and smooth finish on both exterior and interior connecting parts. High-quality repainting can even compensate for issues like thin factory paint, improving durability and gloss.

3. What Should You Consider Before Opting for a Spray Paint Color Change?

  Since a full repaint involves disassembly, all fasteners and components connecting body panels must be removed. Inexperienced shops may cause misaligned panel gaps, interior rattles, or even bolt failures. During surface prep, sanding off the factory clear coat inevitably damages the original paint layers. Poor technique—like grinding through the primer—can lead to future rust.

  Factory paint processes adhere to strict standards for temperature, humidity, and dust control, conditions that most body shops or dealerships struggle to match. The quality of the repaint heavily depends on the workshop environment and the painter’s skill, which is why factory paint is so valued. Post-repaint, the compromised paint structure may lead to adhesion issues, uneven fading, oxidation, or peeling over time, potentially requiring another repaint.

  Additionally, disassembly and inconsistent paint quality can raise doubts among used-car buyers about assembly precision or accident history, lowering resale value. For average cars, this depreciation can range from ¥20,000 to ¥50,000. If you wish to change the color again later, multiple repaints may further degrade paint stability.

  In conclusion, car owners should carefully evaluate their needs and practical circumstances when choosing a color-change method.