After a repair, the last thing you want is a door or bumper that’s a slightly different shade from the rest of your car. A seamless finish is one of the best signs of quality auto painting. Here’s how professional body shops get the color right, and how to keep your paint looking new in Orange County’s sunshine.
Why Color Matching Is Hard
Your car’s paint code is only the starting point. The same factory color can vary slightly from car to car, and it changes over time:
- Sun exposurefades paint, especially on the roof and hood.
- Different factoriesmay produce slightly different shades of the same code.
- Special finishessuch as metallic, pearl and tri-coat paints reflect light differently depending on angle.
How Professionals Match Paint
Find the paint code on the vehicle’s door jamb or ID label.
Our auto painting service follows this process for everything from small scratch repairs to full refinishing.
Scratch, Chip or Clear Coat Problem?
- Light scratchesin the clear coat can often be polished out.
- Deeper scratchesthat reach the color or metal need sanding, priming and painting.
- Peeling or cloudy clear coatusually means UV damage. The panel needs to be refinished to stop it spreading.
- Paint around a dentmay need dent removal
How to Protect Your Paint From the Southern California Sun
- Park in the shadeor a garage whenever possible.
- Wash regularlyto remove dust, bird droppings and tree sap, which can etch paint quickly in the heat.
- Wax or sealyour car every few months. Ceramic coatings offer longer-lasting protection.
- Use a car coverif your car sits outside for long periods.
- Fix chips quicklybefore rust or peeling spreads.
Painting Classic Cars
Vintage vehicles need special attention to period-correct colors and finishes. See our classic car restoration service and our tips for achieving a show-quality finish.
Get a Flawless Finish
Russ Ward Auto Body has served Orange County drivers since 1958, and our work is backed by a lifetime warranty. Read the top 5 myths about collision repair, then call (714) 535-3739 or request a paint quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a body shop match any car color?
Yes. With paint codes, spectrophotometers and blending, skilled painters can match virtually any color, including metallic and pearl finishes.
Why do body shops paint panels that weren’t damaged?
Painters often blend color into neighboring panels so the repaired area transitions smoothly and the difference can’t be seen.
How long should new paint cure before washing?
Follow your shop’s advice. Many recommend hand washing only and avoiding wax for the first few weeks while the paint fully cures.