The Process of Painting a Car

Tony Mers • March 2, 2021

About 72% of car accidents result in property damage that requires body repair. Unfortunately, not every auto paint shop takes the steps that are required for painting a car to get the best results. Returning your car to like-new condition after a car accident starts with choosing a professional car body shop that is committed to not cutting corners in the process.

Painting a car is not as simple as spraying on some paint; it is a process. Understanding the process of painting a carthe right way will ensure that you know what to look for in an auto body repair service.

Underneath the Paint

New paint can make any car look great, but if there is anything wrong with the body, it will amplify the problem. You cannot simply paint over mars, dings, dents, and other issues.

Painting a car starts with a clean slate. Any issues with the body must be resolved before the paint goes on. Covering up problems with paint just does not work. The right body shop knows how to give you that good-as-new look by repairing underlying damages.



Pre-Paint Prep

Once the body repairs are made, your vehicle is still not ready for paint yet. The pre-paint prep process is an important step in assuring that your paint job comes out as smooth as glass. This step cannot be skipped.

Layers of Paint

Once all the prep work is done, the paint can be applied. This is another slow and steady process. Layer after layer of paint must be applied with rest time in between to allow for drying. The process can take several days.

The environment that the painting occurs is also a critical component of what type of results you will get. A professional body shop should have “clean rooms” or areas to ensure that the paint is applied in a dust-free environment.

Final Steps

After all of the painting is complete, the car needs to be thoroughly wiped down again and protected from dust and debris before the clear coat finish can be added. When painting a car is done correctly and diligently, it is impossible to detect prior damage.

Do not risk your vehicle receiving a poor paint job. Choose an auto paint shop that takes pride in a job well done so your car can look good-as-new after an incident.



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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