When Should You Visit an Auto Paint Shop?

Tony Mers • September 1, 2021

There are a few different reasons you might want to visit an auto paint shop - whether it's because your car has been damaged or scratched, or maybe because you just want a fresh coat of paint after years have gone by with your vehicle looking shabby. Whatever the case may be, there are certain times when you need to visit an auto body repair shop. Here are some great tips on when to visit a car paint shop.

1. Before Selling Your Car or Trading It in at a Dealership

There's nothing worse than driving a car that looks like it's falling apart. If you plan to sell your vehicle or trade-in at a dealership, then you should consider taking it into an auto paint shop before doing so. It would be much harder for someone to see past the scratches and dents if your car looks shabby and old. You'll also increase the chances of selling your vehicle more quickly if it has a fresh coat of paint on it.

2. After Being in An Accident

Accidents are scary and can be extremely dangerous, especially if you're involved in a car crash. If you've recently been in a car accident, then you should visit an auto body repair shop as soon as possible to get your car checked out and repaired before anything worse happens. You might think it would be okay to wait until later if the damage doesn't seem all that bad. However, this is not always the case - even small dents or scratches can cause bigger problems with cars over time if they aren't fixed immediately.

3. Before or After Winter

If your vehicle has been seeing lots of winter weather , then there's a strong chance that it has sustained some serious damage from all the freezing and thawing. If you notice any cracks in the paint or rust along your car's body, then you should consider taking it to an auto paint shop. You'll want to inspect your vehicle for damage before or after winter has come and gone - the last thing you want is to find out later that there was serious rust damage because you didn't have it checked.

4. When You Want to Update Your Vehicle's Appearance

Maybe you just want your vehicle to look fresh and new again, and that's completely understandable. Whether you want to give your car a new color or you need to replace the old paint, either way, there are benefits to visiting an auto paint shop. If you do decide that it's time for a fresh coat of paint, then you should search for an auto paint shop that will give your vehicle a custom look that you'll truly love.

5. Before Car Shows

Car shows are such a fun and enjoyable experience, but only if your car looks its best. If you're planning on entering into a car show, then the last thing you want is for your vehicle to look shabby or old. Visit an auto body repair shop before the show so that everything will look nice and new.

6. After a Long Period of Not Driving Your Vehicle

Over time, cars start to appear old and run-down. If you have an older car that you don't drive much anymore, you might want to consider having a fresh coat of paint put on it. After years without driving your vehicle, no one would blame you for not wanting the same color or design anymore. Taking your car into an auto body shop is a great way to give it a fresh new look.

7. After Weathering Storms or Hurricanes

Hail storms and hurricanes can be extremely hard on cars, especially if the storms continue for an extended period. If your car has seen a lot of damage from recent weather, you should definitely take it to a car body shop to see what needs to be done before the damage worsens.

There are several different reasons why you should visit an auto paint shop. Don't let the damage to your car get any worse before getting it fixed. Visit a shop as soon as possible so that you can make sure your vehicle is always in good condition.

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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.