Automotive Care: 3 Popular Paint Styles

Tony Mers • August 31, 2018

According to a recent auto body survey, research found that an estimated 77% of vehicles were in need of maintenance or repairs. Taking care of your vehicle is extremely important and shouldn't be overlooked. But vehicle maintenance isn't just getting your tires rotated or changing your oil, it's making sure that your vehicle looks as good as possible.

That's where car paint shops come in. Painting a car can completely transform it for the better. Though you need to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly and are adhering to general maintenance needs; you should consider heading to a car paint shop to boost your vehicle's appearance whenever you get a chance. The great thing about painting a car is that it's never permanent. If you have the color you have chosen, simply select a new one and head to a car body shop that offers quality paint jobs once again.

Here are some of the most popular car paint types that you should consider the next time you head to a paint shop:

Solid paint -- Solid paint options are perhaps the most common. Aside from the most expensive luxury vehicles, the majority of vehicles come in white, red, black, or blue. The solid paint is a single application of the color, followed by a clear coat to protect the paint from weather, chips, and various scratches.

Metallic -- Metallic paint jobs are quite effective and utilize powered metal. Certain auto manufacturers change a costly premium for an upgrade from solid paint to a metallic style, but paint shops can do a great job at a reasonable price.

Pearlescent -- This style of paint involves replacing the metal particles with ceramic crystals that don't just reflect light, but actually refract it. This style gives the paint both a deep color and a sparkle that's visually appealing. In direct sunlight, pearlescent paint knocks spots off metallic finishes.

If you want to learn more about painting your car and head to a high-quality car paint shopor are just in need of general auto body repair services, give River North Collision Repair a visit right away.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

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.