Car painting is a valuable protection for your car. If there are scratches in the paintwork, rust could form. Therefore, you should always repair damage to the car paint at an early stage or repaint the areas to avoid damage to the bodywork. In this article, you will learn which types of paint are available, how they can be applied and what costs you can expect for car painting.
Car painting: Which colours are suitable?
Most cars use conventional plain paint. It is mixed on a water-based basis and applied in thin layers of varnish. Today's plain coatings no longer fade much like variants used in the past. In addition, there is a whole range of colors for car painting. They inspire with special properties or an eye-catching look:
- Metallic paint: The manufacturer adds tiny metal particles to metallic paints. In car painting, these create a glossy surface with a fine grain size. This paint is more robust than normal solid paint.
- Pearl effect varnish: In this variant, pearlescent pigments create an extraordinary look. The particles refract the light, which is why the effect is mainly effective during the day. The varnish is particularly hard-wearing, also because it is applied twice.
- Matt varnish: Matt varnish contains silicate particles that provide the matte look. The car gives the impression that it absorbs sunlight instead of reflecting it. When caring for it, you should avoid polishing to maintain the matte look.
- Nano paint: This paint for car painting contains ceramic pigments that form a protective layer after the paint has dried. Nano paint has several advantages: it is water-repellent, dirt-repellent and very hard-wearing. However, it is also very expensive.
- Flip-flop polish: Can't decide on a color? Then use flip-flop varnish. Due to cleverly chosen metal pigments and their refraction properties, the colour changes depending on the viewing angle.
Which paint you choose is not only a question of the desired visual effect and properties, but also a question of cost. Special car paints are sometimes significantly more expensive than a basecoat.
Applying car paintwork: the most important methods at a glance
Today, the following painting methods are mainly used:
- Painting: The car paint job is traditionally painted with a brush. Alternatively, you can use a paint roller.
- Spraying: With a compressed air spray gun, the painter applies a fine mist of paint to the surface to be painted.
- Dipping: The dipping method can be used to paint entire car parts. The process is mainly used in series production for priming.
- Electrostatic spraying process: This process is also mainly important for series production. The body is positively charged by applying a voltage source. This allows it to attract the negatively charged paint mist.
Costs for car painting: Costs at a glance
The cost of car painting depends on various factors:
- Is it necessary to sand the existing car paint?
- How large is the area to be painted (e.g. only one touch-up, entire component or entire car)?
- How much time does it take to disassemble components and then assemble them?
- Can a smart or spot repair procedure be used?
- Is a base coat used or do you want an effect coat?
- How big is the car?
- Is painting work also necessary on the inside?
- Is priming and filling work necessary?
To have a car completely painted usually costs between 2,500 and 8,000 euros, depending on the size of the car (e.g. small car or sedan). It is much cheaper to have individual components painted. The following table shows some examples:
| Painted component | Price for car painting |
| Bonnet | 300 to 600 euros |
| Rim | 150 to 250 euros |
| Fender | 300 to 600 euros |
| Car Door | 300 to 700 euros |
| Bumper | 250 to 500 euros |
Do you need tools for car painting? Order sandpaper and other accessories for vehicle painting online from Motointegrator.