No one wants to be left endlessly waiting while their car’s in the shop. But, to paint a car, there are many factors that come into play, so often there’s no exact timeline that can be guaranteed.
There is no simple answer to how long it takes for a car to be painted, but depending on the extent of the job, the time needed can stretch from a day or two to several weeks. Your car’s color, make, and size, the extent of damage (if any), and what type of paint is needed all play a role in how long the painting process will take.
In this blog post, we will go over each of these factors and discuss how they can impact the overall time it takes to paint a car.
Factors That Impact Time It Takes to Paint a Car
1. Body Work
The body work of the car is one of the most important factors in determining how long it will take to paint a car. Much of the time, if you’re coming in for a new paint job, it’s because there’s underlying damage that has affected the body of your car deeper than just paint-level.
If there is extensive damage, or if the car requires a lot of prep work, this can lengthen the process. Any dents or other forms of damage must be fixed before painting a vehicle in order for it to appear its best.
If you feel that your car might need body work before being painted, we encourage you to reach out to our professionals at Valley Collision. We would be happy to take a look and give you an estimate of how long the process might take.
2. Model of the Car
The model of the car can also play a role in how long it takes to paint a vehicle. Some models are easier to work with than others, and this can impact the time that it takes to complete the process.
In general, smaller cars tend to be easier and faster to paint than larger ones. This is because there is less surface area to work with. However, this is not always the case, especially if you’re only getting a touch-up on some areas of your car rather than a full repaint.
Some makes and models may require disassembly of parts to make sure all visible surface areas are completely covered. How much disassembly is required can be a key factor in the length of time the prep and painting time takes.
3. The Prepping Phase
The prepping phase is another important factor in how long it takes to paint a car. This is the process of getting the car ready for painting. It includes things like sanding down the surface and priming the car.
This phase is important because it ensures that the paint will adhere properly to the surface of the car. If this phase is not done correctly, it can cause the paint job to be less than perfect.
The prepping phase can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the extent of work that needs to be done.
4. Paint Application Process
The actual paint application is the final factor in determining the answer to “how long does it take to paint a car?”. To start, the automobile requires a primer coat that will take a few hours to dry. The color coats may differ in how long they take to apply.
The drying time of various paints varies. Some may take only 30 to 90 minutes to dry, while others could require 24 hours or more.
Need Your Car Painted?
As you can see, there are many factors that come into play when determining how long it takes to paint a car. If you are considering having your car painted, we encourage you to reach out to the professionals at Valley Collision. We would be happy to give you an estimate of how long the process might take for your specific vehicle.
