“The paint on most modern vehicles will last anything from 10 to 15 years. It depends on many factors. However, I would have you know that washing your car regularly actually prolongs its paint work.”
“What, really?! ” I screamed in disbelief. “Yes, sir. So you don’t have to worry so much anymore when next you bring your car for a wash.”
Consoled the young carwash attendant. “Thanks very much, I won’t.” So went the exchange between me and a young car washer at my local car wash.
After seeing how stressed I looked every time I sat in Spanking Suzie-my car, while it went through their automated car wash, the young man had finally summoned the courage to ask me why. “Excuse me, sir, for almost three months now, I have noticed how stressed and uncomfortable you look or even wince in agony as your car goes through our mechanized car wash. Is anything the matter?”
I then explained to him how I had had Spanking Suzie repainted about three months ago and how I thought car washing her-out of love as I did, was going to shorten how long the paint job would last. “How long does a vehicle paint job last anyway?” I had then enquired. Much to my astonishment, the young car-washer had thrown his head back and howled with laughter.
After that, he then gave me the short answer above and shared more information about vehicle paint jobs. Below is what he had to say………….
That’s okay ol’ timer (I winced). Different factors affect how long your car’s paintwork will last.
When we first purchase a car, the last thing we think about is always getting a paint job done on it. However, when that eventually happens, most of us wonder how long the paint job will last. Unknown to them, is that how long their car’s paint job will last depends on numerous different factors.
These are:
1. What type and quality of paint was used?
If you are considering a long-lasting paint job for your beloved car, then be careful what type of paint you use. The type and quality of the paint job can affect how long it will last. Car paint types, colors, and quality typically vary.
When it comes to car paint types and colors, these can be either a single color or a two-tone combination. Most car manufacturers offer both a single color or a two-tone combination. Single colors are cheaper and are white, silver, black, and gray.
While two-tone car colors are yellow, red, green, beige, and orange. These are more durable and you have to pay an extra premium when purchasing them. Many factors affect the price of the paintwork.
These include the color, the paint type, and the vehicle type. For example, a black vehicle will have a higher price than a red vehicle. Most modern vehicles have paint made from urethaneit.
This paint is excellent at reflecting UV rays, which gives it a lifespan of about 15 years. Due to its high toxicity, it’s strongly recommended that you have a professional complete a touch-up or new paint job with urethane paint. However, when it comes to quality, ceramic paint protection is the most advanced and durable paint protection available.
2. Was any ceramic coating done?
To give your vehicle that added car paint protection it so desperately needs, I strongly recommend ceramic coating for that extra car paint protection. Simply put, ceramic coating is a lean glass-like film that is applied over car paint to protect its exterior from weather elements such as UV rays and smog. It also makes it easier to keep dirt-free and spotless.
The ceramic coating provides a high gloss finish and a scratch-resistant surface. I have to say it, but it actually reduces the need for car washes. Ceramic paint protection is the most advanced and durable paint protection available.
It provides a high gloss finish and a scratch-resistant surface as well as,
- defends your car from UV damage and oxidation
- makes cleaning easy-peasy to clean
- improves the gloss of your car, to almost new.
- enables car paint protection and resistance against harsh chemicals
- car paint ruin and scratches are reduced
If the paint job included ceramic coating, ………..
3. What was the expertise of the paintwork?
Leaving your vehicle’s paint job to a fly-by-night car painter in a cheap shop will guarantee your car’s paint job is shoddily and inexpertly done. I would rather you pay more for your paint job at a reputable car shop than pay less for a paint job that is likely to not last a long time. When it comes to your vehicle’s paint job, always ensure you find a good quality shop if you want your paint job to last!
This is because by using a reputable shop, you more often than not have a good paint job that will last the longest time possible. Such paint jobs are most likely to last only a few months before they start chipping off and fading away. I got my car painted at a reputable shop and I haven’t had any problems with the paint job since.
However, if you indeed took your car to a reputable, quality paint shop, then….
4. How’s the environment that the car is driven in
The environment in which your vehicle is driven is among one of the biggest factors that can affect how long a new paint job will last. For instance, driving your car daily in the harsh summer sun and polluted atmosphere absolutely puts your beloved car at the risk of its paint fading, and at worst, peeling off. Should you be living in an area with high levels of pollution in the air and/or salt on the roads, then the likelihood of your paint job not lasting as long as you would like it to is especially high.
The same goes if you live in an area with a lot of sun exposure. If your car is not protected by ceramic coating, then UV rays are most likely to start fading the paint, leading to a dull appearance.
5. How often you drive your car also counts.
How often you drive your car is yet another factor that can affect how long a new paint job will last. If you only take your car out for short drives around town, your paint job is going to last longer than if you’re driving long distances on the highway. The reason for this is that all of the dirt and debris on the road can chip away at your paintwork over time.
As such, short-distance drives around town are best. That way, you don’t have to worry about my paintwork getting damaged by all the dirt and debris on the road. However, if most of your driving is on the highway, then you might want to get your car detailed more often to keep the paint looking fresh and lasting longer.
So, something else that also counts is…..
6. How well is the car maintained?
As I mentioned earlier, just how well you maintain your car also affects how long a new paint job will last. If you don’t wash your car often or if you don’t wax it, the paint is going to suffer. As such, car detail and/or have your car waxed often to ensure the paint job lasts.
So, please do take care of your car if it is to last as long as possible.
Any last tips and tricks to ensure the vehicle’s paintwork lasts?
Once you have attended to the above preliminary considerations to ensure that your paint job lasts, going forward with the tips and tricks listed and discussed below, could be just what you are looking for and quite invaluable. These include:
- Washing or getting your car washed regularly
Doing so will remove any dirt or debris that can potentially damage your car’s paintwork. Aside from keeping your car looking tip-top, washing and waxing it regularly will ensure that your car’s paintwork is protected from harsh weather elements.
- Protecting your car from the environment
Does your car have a car cover and do you park it in a covered car or indoor garage? If not, then get it some protective cover ASAP! Otherwise, how long your paint job lasts will be greatly shortened by the sun’s intense UV, atmospheric pollution, dirt, and dust.
- Remove contaminants as quickly as possible
Speaking of shade, oftentimes you find shade under a tree, where your car might be liable to be hit by bird poop or tree sap. Those contaminants can damage a car’s paint, so try and get them off as quickly as possible, rather than letting them sit on your paint for long periods.
- Repair paint job chips quickly
Should your paint ever chip, make sure to repair the paint chips as quickly as possible. This will ensure that your car’s great paintwork looks good throughout the entire vehicle and also lasts longer.
- Ceramic coat your car’s paintwork
If your vehicle paint job did not include ceramic coating the first time, it’s never too late to get it done. In addition to protecting the exterior of your car, the ceramic coating gives your car that which all proud car owners want – an almost new look. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t want all of the above for your Spanking Suzie, right?!
Oh, you’ve some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Car paint jobs? Fire at will!
Q: How much does it cost to repaint a car?
A: The cost of repainting a car varies depending on the size of the car, the type of paint, and the quality of the paint job. A small car might cost around $500 to repaint, while a large car could cost upwards of $2000.
Q: Which car color lasts the longest?
A: How long the paint lasts depends a lot on the quality of the paint and the clear coat. For example, a paint job on a premium car from Mercedes might last twice as long compared to a more budget offering. But that said, white colors usually last longer compared to any other colors.
When the paintwork starts to fade due to age, the pigment inside the paint that gives it the color is the component that is fading. White paint does not have any pigments, and as a result, it lasts longer.
Q: How long does a car paint job take?
A: The application of paint and the drying doesn’t take too long, but there is a lot of prep work involved with painting a car. A car paint job from a professional will probably take a few days.
