Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Body Painting

Auto Body Painting Q & A

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is likely that your vehicle has sustained some body damage. Once all the dings, dents, and necessary parts have been replaced it will almost certainly require some auto body painting.

Usually, following a significant collision, your car will require painting to repair scratches, patches, and the cover new parts.

If you are currently going through the process of having auto body painting done, or have never had a vehicle repainted, you may have some questions.

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about auto body painting:

Will My Whole Vehicle Be Painted?

Generally, your entire vehicle will not be painted. At Southern Auto Body we try to reduce cost and downtime by painting and matching only the affected areas of the car.

Some auto body shops may paint your entire vehicle, however, if only a small portion of your vehicle was damaged during the collision you should inquire as to why they are painting the entire vehicle.

For example, if your front bumper was dented, scratched, or replaced, we would most likely only repaint the front bumper.

How Long Will It Take For My Vehicle To Be Painted?

Depending on how large the affected areas are, painting your vehicle will usually take between 2 and 3 days.

Why so long? At Southern Auto Body we take auto body painting very seriously and use various layers of paint, sealer, and clear coating to ensure a perfect match every time.

It is also important to keep in mind that the last coat often takes around 24 hours to fully set and dry, which makes a good paint-job a time-consuming process.

I Wasn’t In An Accident But I see Rust Forming, What Should I Do?

If you start to see rust forming on your vehicle it is important to get it checked out as quickly as possible. Visible rust is often a sign of more serious corrosion taking place underneath the paint’s surface.

Professional auto body shops, like Southern Auto Body, use specialized equipment and procedures to determine the extent of the corrosion. Once an expert diagnosis has been completed, you will know exactly what types of repairs are required.

How Will You Ensure The Auto Body Painting Perfectly Matches My Vehicle’s Existing Paint?

Due to the fact that your entire vehicle is most likely not being painted, it is very important to ensure a perfect color match between the newly painted areas and the existing vehicle. If color matching is not done properly, the newly repaired areas will be clearly visible and you will most likely be unsatisfied with the repairs.

With well over 50 years of auto body experience, Southern Auto Body is an industry leader in auto body painting and ensures the painted areas match the rest of your car perfectly.

We know exactly which colors each manufacturer uses and are able to mix the colors exactly, every time.

When Is It Safe To Wash And Wax My Vehicle?

We recommend only hand washing your vehicle with a mild soap and cool water for the first 30 days after painting has been completed.

Hold off using hot water, aggressive soaps, and especially automated car washes until you are sure that the paint has had time to properly dry and seal.

Washing your car with a damp rag, and ensuring you thoroughly dry it, will help to guarantee the protection of your new paint.

When you are washing your car, always watch for cracks or bubbling in the paint as these could be signs of damage or rust. If you see any signs of paint damage or rust, contact your local Edmonton auto body shop to have the area diagnosed and repaired before the issue worsens.

We recommend waiting at least 90 days before waxing your vehicle to guarantee that the paint has completely cured and hardened.

In order to ensure you maximize the life of your vehicle’s paint, it is important to adhere to the manufacturer’s specifications for the particular products used. It is always best to inquire regarding time frames as different types of paints and sealers can have different requirements.

What Are Some Tips For Post Auto Body Painting Maintenance?

After having your vehicle repaired the last thing you want to have to deal with is further issues. In order to protect your car’s paint, and avoid having unnecessary paint damage, Southern Auto Body recommends washing and waxing your car regularly. It is important to ensure that you also wash underneath your vehicle, and in hard to reach places like wheel wells, where corrosive chemicals tend to build up.

We always recommend a gentle hand wash, rather than a high-pressure car wash, but it is particularly important to follow this tip while the paint fully cures. Washing your car with aggressive soaps, high-pressure or high-heat water, or waxing your car too early can lead to premature scratches and dulling.

It is also a good idea to have your vehicle professionally detailed at least once a year to ensure that specialized protectants are given the opportunity to penetrate every nook and cranny that could potentially hold rust accelerants. Professional detailing is an excellent way to ensure that your vehicles paint stays protected.

If possible, it is always best to keep your car parked in a garage or in a covered parkade until your paint has fully cured. Keeping your vehicle out of the sun will also help keep the paint looking shiny and new and prevent premature dulling.

Southern Auto Body Is Here For All Your Automotive Needs

If your vehicle needs auto body repairs, for any reason, Southern Auto Body is Edmonton’s #1 choice! We are here to help with all your auto body, collision, and repainting needs.

Helping get your car back on the road quickly and safely is always our number 1 priority, and we will work with you to ensure that the process is simple, easy to understand, and the best Edmonton has to offer.

Contact us today with any questions you may have or to schedule your appointment for an estimate or repairs!