We all like to keep our cars as attractive as they left the showroom. Unfortunately, every time you drive the vehicle, you put it at risk of damage. Scuffs, scratches, and dings are day-to-day risks that we have to avoid and deal with when they occur. We recommend that you put in place measures that will protect your car paint from damage like waxing and driving slowly on rough roads. That said, some situations that can damage your car paint are unavoidable. Maybe you are driving at a high speed on a smooth road and you enter a section with chippings without warning or driving under trees and a branch falls on your car and damages your shiny paint.
Driving around with chipped paint is not ideal, as most people assume you are not a careful driver. We advise that you fix chipped paint on your car as soon as possible as it is not only unattractive but also puts your vehicle at a greater risk of damage. You can fix chipped paint yourself or visit a professional bodywork shop for repairs. How much does it cost to fix chipped paint on a car will vary depending on the severity and size of the damage. We look at how much it costs to fix chipped paint on a car and how to repair it at home.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Chipped Paint On A Car?
Before you can estimate how it will cost to repair damaged car paint, you will need to first analyze the damage. The amount you will pay for minor chips and scratches will not be the same for extensive dents that will require more preparation work before painting. The minor paint chips are easier and cheaper to repair and can cost anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on the size of the area that needs fixing. The extensive car paint chips are more difficult and expensive to fix. You should have a budget of between $300 and $1000. That said, you should visit the repair workshop for an actual cost. It is not possible to give an accurate answer to how much does it cost to fix chipped paint on a car as it depends on the quality of paint and size of the area that needs repair.
What Affects The Cost To Fix Chipped Paint On A Car?
If you are looking for an answer as to how much does it cost to fix chipped paint on a car, you will need to understand things that affect the repair cost. What would make a professional quote a different figure for fixing chipped paint every time a car enters a bodywork shop? The cost depends on several factors that vary among different painting jobs including:
- Damage – Chipped paint can be minor or severe. A minor chip will be cheaper and easier to fix as it does not require much labor, time, preparation work, or supplies. It requires more preparation and different supplies to fix severe issues, which translates to higher repair costs.
- Car – A larger vehicle will be expensive to repaint than a compact car. A larger vehicle has a large surface area that will require more paint and take more time and labor to fix. You should also expect to pay more for a high-end car than a standard vehicle. A supercar like Ferrari or Porsche requires higher quality workmanship and paint, which means you have to pay more for the best results.
- Paint and workmanship – The quality of the paint will have a major impact on the cost of fixing chipped paint. Cheaper quality paint will lower the price, but it may also lead to undesirable results. It is good to invest in the best quality paint you can afford. The quality of workmanship will also have an impact on the cost. Experienced professionals have a slightly higher price, but they guarantee showroom paint job quality.
- Color – Your color selection will have a major impact on how much you will pay to fix your paint damage. You should expect to pay more if your car color has metallic flakes and pearl finish as they are costly to produce and difficult to apply. Furthermore, special colors are costly than the standard colors; black, grey, and white.
Tips On How To Fix Chipped Paint On A Car At Home
Since you cannot entirely avoid scratches and chips as long as you are using your car for day-to-day activities, including driving on a rough road, it is imperative you learn how to fix minor paint damages at home. DIY car painting at home is a cost-effective way to keep your car shining and attractive as you can do it during the weekend or any other time you find effective. Nonetheless, you will need proper planning, quality tools, and supplies and the right knowledge to ensure color uniformity after painting. You will also not have to worry about how much does it cost to fix chipped paint on a car every time you had an accident. The tools that you will need to fix chipped paint on a car at home include:
- Spray gum
- Random Orbit Spray
- Random orbit sander
- Masking tape
- Portable air compressor
- Body filler
- 2000-grit wet and dry sandpaper
- Primmer and primmer thinner
- Rust remover spray
- Cleaning solvent
- Paint and paint thinner
- Cleaning solvent
- Personal protective gear
We recommend that you invest in the painting equipment if you intend to regularly repaint your car. Once you master the car painting skills, you can use the equipment to change the color of your car for a refreshed look. The preparation and steps that you should take to fix chipped paint on a car at home include:
1. Preparation
The beauty of your final results will depend on the preparation work. Depending on the size and severity of the damage, you will need considerable time to do the painting job. The car will also need adequate time to dry before you can use it to prevent damage. Three to four days will be enough for the paint to dry. The steps that you should take to prepare for a painting job include:
- Choose the best location – The location you choose will affect the outcome and how quickly the paint dries. The best location should be dust-free, airy, and well-lit. An inflatable paint booth is an ideal solution, but you may also use your garage if it is safe.
- Remove dents and rust – Use the rust remover spray to remove any rust on the area before you start painting. If the vehicle has any visible dents, you can use body filler or glazing putty to repair them for consistent painting results.
2. Sanding
Sanding is an integral part of every painting job as you will have to remove the old paint to apply a new coat. The sanding process involves three parts that include:
- Sanding – You will need to have a flawless surface to have a perfect, smooth finishing. You can use a sanding block, sandpaper, or random orbit sander to sand your car to bare metal. We recommend that you sand down your car to the bare metal for the best results, but you can also sand down up to the old primer coat. Sanding down your car helps the new paint stick.
- Clean the surface – Once you finish sanding, you will need to clean the surface with a cleaning solvent and a rag to remove all impurities and dust. Denatured alcohol or mineral spirits can also work as a cleaning solvent.
- Cover other areas – Before you start painting your car, you should cover all areas that you will not be working on to avoid paint spilling into those areas. A masking tape, newspaper, or plastic wrap can help you protect areas that do not require repainting like window trim, glass, mirrors, door handles, wheels, and grills.
3. Priming
Priming is the first step in giving your car a new lease of life. You should apply priming to all areas that need repainting. It helps the basecoat to stick well while protecting the surface from moisture. You should use a self-etching and corrosion-resistant primer for the best results. Use a paint spray gun to apply the primer and wait for it to dry according to product instructions. Then, sand the primer to give it a rough texture to help the paint to stick on the surface. Sand the area gently to avoid exposing the bare metal again as you will have to apply the primer again. After sanding, you should wipe the area with primmer thinner to prepare your car for painting.
4. Painting
Once your vehicle is ready for painting, you should apply the basecoat, which adds color while protecting the underlying coats. You will then apply a topcoat with a clear coat finish, which protects your car from UV rays, chipping, and color fading. We recommend that you apply several paint coats in a circular motion for the best results. Follow the manufacturer guidelines as you apply the paint coats and wait for the paint to dry before using the vehicle.
Conclusion
Paint chippings on your car are unattractive and can make your car susceptible to rust. Knowing how much does it cost to fix chipped paint on a car will help you plan accordingly and keep your vehicle attractive at all times. You can also save money and keep your car pretty by learning how to fix chipped paint on a car at home.
