Car Knowledge and FAQs

There are good car paint brands for every price point. Read our guide to learn about the best paint brands and their various products, focusing on solvent-based paint.

If you're considering giving your car a fresh look with a new paint job, expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000 for an average-quality paint job. A good quality paint job is worth the expense if you’re really concerned about your vehicle.  WHY A GOOD PAINT JOB IS VERY IMPORTANT Car paint isn’t as essential as an engine, but good paint is important to maintaining a smooth running vehicle for years to come. Your vehicle's paint protects it from rust and other exterior damage that can eventually reach the frame. Plus, a good paint finish just looks good, keeping your vehicle looking new even if it's several years down the road. QUALITY OF PAINT JOBS Car paint job costs can vary significantly based on the quality of the paint and the level of service you choose. Here's a general breakdown: Basic Quality Paint Job: $300 to $750 A budget-friendly option suitable for those looking for a quick color change. However, it may lack the durability and longevity of higher-quality options. Medium Quality Paint Job: $1,000 to $2,000 This is often the sweet spot for many car owners. It provides a balance between cost and quality, offering a more durable finish that can withstand the elements. High Quality Paint Job: $2,500 to $7,500 or more If you're aiming for top-tier, showroom-quality results, a high-end paint job is the way to go. This option includes meticulous preparation, premium paint materials, and multiple layers for a flawless finish. CAN YOU JUST TOUCH IT UP INSTEAD? If the cost of a full high-quality paint job is more than you’re ready to pay, a touch-up paint job might do the trick. Touching up paint is a good idea if you have a few minor spots to take care of. Using touch-up paint can help you preserve most of the factory finish from your vehicle's original paint job, which you can’t replicate except with the highest quality paint jobs. If you're having a body shop take care of the work, you can expect to pay about $300 for minor repairs. Do it at home, and touch up paint typically costs about $50, plus supplies for sanding, filling in scratches and dents, priming, and clear coat. IS A CHEAP CAR PAINT JOB BAD? Bargain paint jobs usually look just like that: a bargain. A bargain vehicle paint job will paint your vehicle but typically cut corners to make supplies and labor more inexpensive. Most will use synthetic enamel paint instead of brand-name paint, and the areas where technicians paint and mark off will be significantly different with this type of paint job than a higher-quality paint job.  For example, the shop may not paint inside the door jams or the hood. The shop may also not remove your trim and other parts, instead masking them off, which can cause edges to develop, or worse, have you end up with paint overspray from spray painting. QUESTIONS TO ASK TO ENSURE QUALITY PAINT JOB Shopping around for an auto paint service? Ensure you're getting an adequate paint job by asking these questions: What types of paint do you use?  Lower-quality shops will often use inexpensive synthetic enamel paint. Look for shops that offer brand-name paint that is of higher quality. Do you remove trim and parts before painting? Shops that offer a higher quality paint job will remove your trim and other parts rather than simply masking over them. How do you prep the exterior?  Prep at a low-quality paint shop may not be more than a quick wash and basic sanding before spraying it down. But a higher quality shop will completely sand your vehicle and remove rust spots and dents to ensure a smooth finish. You’ll be advised of any critical repairs you should make before painting. How many coats of paint do you apply? Low-quality shops may only apply a few coats of paint, but better shops will have at least three, including a clear coat for a smooth, glossy look. For comparison's sake: the highest quality shops will often apply 20 or more layers of paint, including up to eight clear coat applications. What is your warranty policy? Warranties can vary from six months to a lifetime, depending on the quality of the paint shop. Typically, medium-quality paint jobs will warranty their work for five years and repaint your car if needed. Can I see recently completed vehicles? The answer should always be yes. Take a look at freshly painted cars and see what you think about the quality of work. Ask which service level they selected, and note any imperfections that you'd be unhappy with. In addition to asking these questions, it's a good idea to seek out recommendations from family and friends. Be sure to read reviews online before committing to an auto paint shop. TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON YOUR NEXT PAINT JOB If a premium paint job is out of your budget, there are still ways to save money without compromising quality: Look for discounts online: Many auto body shops offer promotions on social media, websites, or daily deal platforms. Inquire about DIY prep work: Some shops allow customers to perform their own prep work, saving on labor costs DO IT YOURSELF AUTOMOTIVE PAINT JOBS Do-it-yourself auto repair often saves money, and painting is no exception. But it's important to note that painting isn't exactly your average auto repair. This job requires specialized tools and supplies that can be expensive to buy or rent.  Painting your vehicle can be very time-consuming, requiring lots of attention to detail and patience. Additionally, professional shops have access to tools that the average vehicle owner just can't use, such as a paint booth that minimizes dust and other debris that can cause problems with the finish. Whether you choose a body shop paint job or one in your garage, painting your vehicle protects it from the elements and can add years to the life of your vehicle -- not to mention a better look. CONCLUSION In the realm of car paint job costs, finding the right balance between your budget and the quality you desire is key. Whether you choose a professional service or embark on a DIY project, investing in a quality paint job not only enhances your vehicle's appearance but also protects it from the elements, adding years to its life. Before making a decision, gather quotes from reputable auto body shops, read reviews, and consider your long-term goals for the vehicle. After all, a well-executed paint job is an investment in both aesthetics and preservation. Now that you have a clearer picture of what goes into the cost of a car paint job, you can make an informed choice that suits both your style and your budget. Happy painting!

Whether you're ordering painted replacement parts or touch up paint, paint matching is essential. Choose the wrong color paint, and you could have a new part or painted area that sticks out like a sore thumb. But finding your vehicle's paint code can sometimes be tricky. In our guide, you'll find out where to look for your car's paint code, as well as the paint code format your vehicle make typically follows. This makes it easy to order accurately painted replacement parts and touch up paint knowing you've found the right shade. Why it's Important to Find Your Car's Paint Code It's never a good idea to simply guess the color of your car. A red car isn't just red. It's fire engine red, brick red, or even a candy paint red. That's why choosing "red" for your touch up paint just isn't going to cut it. With even a slightly different shade, you'll be able to plainly see the difference as soon as it's applied, and the poor matching job on your paint touch up may look worse than what you're trying to cover up in the first place. Locating Your Car's Paint Code Unlike information like your vehicle's VIN or tire pressure settings, there's no single predictable location to find your vehicle's paint code. Each manufacturer may do something different than the others, and it may not even be the same for each model. This means you may need to look in a few different places before you can successfully find your car's paint code. Try these spots first: Driver door sticker: Often, you can find your paint code right where you find your tire pressure settings. This is the most common location for paint codes, so be sure to try it first. Another place to look on the driver's side door is in the hinge area, or in the passenger door, sometimes on the pillar. Makes that may use this location:: Acura, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedez Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volvo Under the hood: Some will place the code above the strut towers, fender edges, or frame rail, or along the engine wall or fire wall just between the engine compartment and the interior. Others will have a sticker on top of hood deck lid or front of the radiator support. Makes that may use this location:: BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jeep, Mazda, Mercedez Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, Volvo Inside the trunk: The sticker may be under the deck lid, inside the rear compartment, spare tire cover, or even on the wheel housing. Makes that may use this location:: Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Volkswagen In the glove box or middle console: Check inside the glove box or middle console, either on the door or inside the interior of the box, removing items if necessary. Makes that may use this location:: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Isuzu, Suzuki Inside the wheel well: Look inside all wheel wells for a sticker. Some use the front passenger, others the rear driver's side, so it's best to check all of them. Makes that may use this location:: Buick, Cadillac On the floor: This one's tricky, but you can check on the floor behind the back passenger's seat or under the front seats. Makes that may use this location:: Chevrolet, Chrysler, GMC What You're Looking For Will you know your paint code if you've found it? Typically, you're looking for a white or silver paper sticker. Just like locations, the paint code format for many vehicles is significantly different. Most related manufacturers, such as the General Motors group including Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC, will use the same format, which can make it easier to identify them. Paint code formats for selected models: Acura: NH-XXXX Audi: May be 2-4 numbers long and can include letters BMW: Three numbers Buick: Starts with WA, BC/CC, or U, may be prefaced by a three digit number and letter combination Cadillac: Starts with WA, BC/CC, or U, may be prefaced by a three digit number and letter combination Chevrolet: Starts with WA, BC/CC, or U, may be prefaced by a three digit number and letter combination Chrysler: Starts with P, Q, G, or T, 3 digits with letters and numbers. May be prefaced by PNT. Dodge: Starts with P, Q, G, or T, 3 digits with letters and numbers. May be prefaced by PNT. Ford: Two digits with numbers and/or letters GMC: Starts with WA, BC/CC, or U, may be prefaced by a three digit number and letter combination Honda: NHXXXX or YRXXXXX Hummer: Starts with WA, BC/CC, or U, may be prefaced by a three digit number and letter combination Hyundai: Two digits with numbers and/or letters Infiniti: Three digits with numbers and/or letters, may be fourth digit after a space Isuzu: Three digits with numbers Jeep: Starts with P, Q, G, or T, 3 digits with letters and numbers. May be prefaced by PNT. Older Jeeps may be two digits long. Kia: Two digits with numbers and/or letters Lexus: Three digits with numbers and/or letters, usually prefaced by CTR Lincoln: Two digits with numbers and/or letters Mazda: Two or three digits with numbers and/or letters Mercedez Benz: DB-XXX Mini: Three digits with numbers and/or letters Mitsubishi: NH-XXXX Nissan: Three digits with numbers and/or letters Subaru: Three digits with numbers and/or letters Suzuki: Three digits with numbers and/or letters Toyota: Three digits with numbers and/or letters, usually prefaced by CTR Volkswagen: Two to four digits with numbers and/or letters If You Can't Find Your Paint Code Even if you know where to look and what you're looking for, it's not always easy to locate your car's paint code. But you do have options. First, check your owner's manual. Some manufacturers will explain in your manual where you can find the paint code. If that doesn't work, use your VIN. Your VIN is easy to find, located in the dash. If you write down this number, you can call a local dealership to ask them to find your color code based on the VIN. Finding your car's paint code is sometimes tricky, but it's always worth it to get an exact match. With the right paint code, you'll have the perfect match for your painted replacement part or touch up paint.

Even when you're using factory matched touch up paint, it's possible that your actual paint color won't match up. This can be frustrating, especially when you've made sure that you've found the right match. What went wrong? We'll explain a few of the reasons why your paint may not match -- and what you can do about it. Why Touch Up Paint Doesn't Match There are a few different reasons why your touch up paint may not match your existing factory paint. These include: Difficulty replicating factory finish: When you use touch up paint, you may be simply painting on a layer or two of paint. But in the factory, your car is sprayed several times, producing a different finish. Fading from the sun: Your touch up paint will be the original factory color -- but the paint on your vehicle might not be that same shade anymore. After sitting in the sun and being subjected to weather, the paint on your vehicle may have faded slightly, making it a lighter shade that the original, unfaded color of the touch up paint. Metallic finish: Metallic paint colors can be more difficult to match accurately, as they include small reflective flecks of metal in the paint. If they're not distributed well throughout the touch up paint, it can look different than the existing paint when applied. How to Get a Better Match It's not always easy to get an exact match on touch up paint, even if you're using the factory finish. But don't panic: if it's still wet, wait a while, as it may blend better when the paint has dried. For others, simply waiting a few months to allow the new paint to fade with the sun and outdoor elements may produce a better match. There are steps you can take in the application process that make a difference as well: Use your factory paint code: When purchasing touch up paint, always order paint that matches your vehicle's factory paint code. Always test first: Before applying paint to say, your driver's side door, test on an inconspicuous section of your vehicle first. This will allow you to double check your color match as well as get a feel for application. Properly prep your painting area: You should wash your vehicle and use wax and grease remover to make sure you're getting right down to the paint. If there is rust or any texture, be sure to lightly apply sandpaper before painting. Shake paint before applying: Paint may have natural separation, so remember to shake it well for at least a full minute before you begin. Metallic paint in particular will have flecks included that need to be distributed. Fake a factory finish: In the factory, your vehicle is painted with multiple thin coats. So that's exactly what you should do with your touch up paint. Apply several extremely thin coats with a light hand to blend in the new color. Each coat should be just slightly larger than the last for optimal blending. Apply paint with a toothpick: For very small chips, dip a toothpick in paint and apply a small amount of paint to the ding. Avoid trying to completely fill the ding with each layer -- simply let it dry for a few hours, then apply a bit more until you've applied several layers that match up. Use a clear coat: Your factory finish has a base coat and clear coat, so adding this step can help you avoid painted sections that stick out as different. Paint in the shade: Ideally, you'll want to paint your vehicle in the shade without high humidity conditions. You should at least avoid direct sunlight to allow the paint to dry slowly. Paint a larger area: If you're still not happy with the way your touch up paint looks, it may be necessary to repaint a larger area. With careful application, and an accurate shade of paint, you can ensure that you'll get the best touch up paint match for your vehicle. This is a great way to protect your car's finish from rust and outdoor elements, plus it keeps your vehicle looking great.