Paint Services FAQ
Paint is the single most visible part of any body repair. A bad paint match haunts you every time you walk to the car. Here's how we get it right — and what to ask any shop before you hand over the keys.
Paint Services FAQ
How does color matching actually work?
Three steps. (1) Read your paint code from the door jamb sticker — but never just trust the code, because cars fade. (2) Spectrophotometer scan of your existing paint to measure the actual color today, including fade, oxidation, and metallic flake size. (3) Mix in-house with PPG Envirobase, adjust for substrate and lighting, spray a test card, compare to the panel under daylight and shop light. Only then does the paint hit the car.
What is paint blending and why do you do it?
Even with a perfect mix, the eye can detect tiny color shifts at panel boundaries — especially on metallics, pearls, and tri-coats. Blending means we feather the new paint into the adjacent panel so the transition is invisible. We blend into the panel, not the seam. Insurance pays for blend time as a separate line item — we always include it on metallic colors.
Will my repaired paint last as long as the original?
Yes — when we do the full process. Factory paint is baked at 380°F over an e-coat primer. We can't bake at factory temps, but we use 2K urethane primer, basecoat, and clearcoat with proper flash and bake cycles in our downdraft booth. Our paint warranty is lifetime, which is how confident we are.
How much does it cost to repaint a single panel?
Spot repair (small ding, no panel removal): $200-$500. Single-panel refinish (door, fender, quarter): $500-$1,200 depending on color complexity. Full hood or roof: $700-$1,500. Tri-coat or pearl colors run higher because of the extra steps. Free written estimates at all 3 locations.
Can you paint just one panel without it looking different?
Often yes, with blending into adjacent panels. On a 5-year-old vehicle with sun-faded paint, single-panel refinish can show on metallics — we'll tell you up front and recommend extending the blend. The honest answer is: it depends on the color, age, and condition. We never promise invisible if it isn't going to be invisible.
Do you paint full vehicles for color change or restoration?
Yes. Full repaints (color change, restoration, classic car) start around $4,500 and run up depending on prep, paint system, and how stripped the car needs to be. Paint over old paint is the cheap option but doesn't last; bare-metal strips and full prep is the right way and the price reflects it. Quote in person — call to schedule.
What paint systems do you use?
PPG Envirobase Plus (waterborne basecoat, low-VOC, factory-quality). Axalta and BASF when an insurance carrier or OEM specifies them. Our booth is downdraft with controlled humidity and temperature so the finish flows out the same way every time.
Is your paint warranty transferable when I sell the car?
The lifetime paint warranty stays with the vehicle for the original owner. It's not transferable to a buyer — but the work itself doesn't fail because the title changed hands. If you're selling, the documented OEM-procedure repair and our workmanship is a value add for the buyer.
Can you fix paint chips, scratches, and bird-drop damage too?
Yes. Paint chip repair: $100-$250 per area. Scratch repair (clear coat only): $150-$400. Bird drop / sap / etching: depends on whether it ate through the clear. Light cases buff out; deep cases need clear-coat refinish. Free assessment at any location.
Talk to a Real Estimator
Free appointments. All insurance accepted. Family-owned since 1989.