mechanics.trade
Car respray and paintwork
A respray puts new paint on a panel, a section or the whole car.
What car respray means
Most of the work is preparation: stripping, filling, flatting and priming, because paint shows every flaw underneath it. It is then sprayed in a booth and baked so the finish hardens evenly.
What the job covers
- Panel and full resprays
- Colour matched to the paint code
- Scratch and scuff repair
- Lacquer peel and fade correction
- Baked finish in a spray booth
When you might need it
- Lacquer peeling in patches, common on older reds and blues.
- Paint that has faded unevenly, particularly on the roof and bonnet.
- Several scratches or scuffs that would cost more to do one at a time.
What it costs, and what changes the price
Typically £200 to £4,000.
- How much preparation the panel needs, which is usually more of the bill than the paint itself.
- Solid, metallic and pearl finishes cost progressively more to match.
- A full respray in a different colour costs most, because door shuts, jambs and the engine bay all have to be done.
How long it takes
A single panel is two to three days. A full car is one to three weeks.
Common questions
Can one panel be done without the others looking wrong?
Yes, if the shop blends into the neighbouring panels rather than stopping at the join. Ask how they intend to do it.
Does a respray affect the car's value?
A good one in the original colour usually helps. A colour change should be recorded, and buyers will ask why it was done.
How long before I can wash it?
Most shops suggest a couple of weeks before machine washing or waxing, so the paint can finish hardening.