5 Ways to Find Inspiration For Finding the Perfect Look For Your Car

Tony Mers • November 28, 2018
painting a car

There are roughly 6 million auto accidents every year in the United States. Whether your vehicle has been damaged and you're in need of collision repair services or you are just sick of its current look, painting a caris a great way to improve its appearance.


You should put a little more thought into what color you want your car to be, however. Far too many vehicle owners simply think "I like red," and have their vehicle painted red -- but there are all kinds of different shades of red. Plus, red doesn't even look that great on all vehicle makes and models. You should consider all options when painting a car.


Whether you're browsing design options or searching for the best paint color for your vehicle, here are some great ways to come up with the perfect idea for your specific vehicle:



  • Check out car and truck magazines -- Whether it's an old issue or a brand new one, car and truck magazines are great for browsing design, styles, and color options.

  • Head to the dealership -- Don't bring any money with you so you don't get roped into making ay major purchases, but taking a look at various automotive stylings can give you some great inspiration.

  • Watch TV and movies -- It sounds silly, but if you really want your vehicle to look a certain way, watching your favorite movies and TV shows can help you identify that look. Visit local auto shows for inspiration, too!

  • Bust out your old Hot Wheels collection -- Remember how much fun you had when you were a kid with your Hot Wheels? Your nostalgia will kick right in when you find them again and you might even discover the exact color and design you've been searching for.

  • Surf the Internet -- Performing an online search might overwhelm you, but if you're Internet savvy, you'll be able to narrow down plenty of auto paint and design options. Start with image searches to get an idea of what you want your vehicle to look like and then do a little more detailed research on any specific paint jobs you're thinking about.


If you want to learn more about painting a car and visit a quality auto paint shop, give River North Collision Repair a visit right away!


January 30, 2026
It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle.  Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.
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