Good paint work is mostly preparation and matching. The new color has to agree with the panels around it in sun and in shade, and the surface underneath has to be sound, or the fresh finish will show every flaw.
At our Nashville shop we refinish single panels after dent, scratch or collision repair, repaint faded or peeling areas, and take on full repaints and custom color changes.
How color matching works
Every vehicle has a paint code, usually printed on a label in the driver’s door jamb. The code gives the formula, but the same code can vary slightly between production runs, and paint shifts with years of sun. We mix to the code, spray test cards, and compare them against your car before painting the panel.
Rather than stopping new color at the edge of a repaired panel, we often blend it into the neighboring panels and clear the whole area. That way the eye does not catch a hard line where old and new paint meet, which matters most with metallic and pearl colors.
Our refinishing process
- Inspection. We check the extent of the damage, look for earlier repairs or repaints, and work out how far the problem goes, from a surface scratch to peeling clear coat.
- Sanding. Damaged paint is sanded back, the edges are feathered so there is no visible step, and the panel is cleaned of wax, oils and dust.
- Priming. Primer seals bare metal or plastic, fills fine sanding marks and gives the color something to grip. Once cured, it is block-sanded smooth.
- Painting. The color-matched base coat goes on in several light coats, followed by clear coat for gloss and protection against sun and weather.
- Finishing. After curing, any dust specks or texture are sanded and polished so the new finish matches the sheen of the original paint.
Panel refinishing
When damage is limited to one or two panels, we refinish those and blend into the panels beside them. This is the usual choice after dent or scratch repair.
Full repaint
Widespread fading, clear coat peeling across several panels, or a car with many mismatched past repairs can look more even with a complete repaint.
Custom color change
A color change goes further than a repaint. Door jambs and other edges need attention so the old color does not show when the doors open, and we talk through how far to go before starting.
Clear coat repair
Clear coat that has turned chalky or started to peel will not polish back. The failed clear is sanded off and the area is re-cleared, sometimes with fresh color underneath.
Paint after body work
Most refinishing follows a repair, but not every dent needs paint. If yours does not, we will say so; see when paintless dent repair skips the paint step.
For paint damage from a fender bender, refinishing is one stage of a larger collision repair process that starts with body work.
Start with photos
Request a paint estimate with photos taken outdoors in daylight, plus a picture of the paint code label if you can find it. For a color change, include a photo or the name of the color you have in mind.
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Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my car's paint code?
Most vehicles have it on a label in the driver's door jamb. Some place it under the hood, in the trunk or inside the glovebox. If you cannot find it, the VIN can usually be used to look it up.
Why paint panels that were not damaged?
Blending color into the neighboring panels hides the transition between new and existing paint. Without it, even a correct mix can look slightly different next to a panel that has seen years of sun.
Can faded or peeling clear coat be fixed without repainting?
Light dullness can sometimes be polished back. Once clear coat is peeling or flaking, it has to be sanded off and the area refinished.
How should I care for fresh paint?
Gentle hand washing with mild soap is generally fine after the first few days. Hold off on automatic car washes, wax and harsh chemicals for several weeks while the paint fully cures. We give you care notes when you pick up the car.
Do you do custom color changes?
Yes. A color change is planned around how much of the car you want covered, including whether door jambs and other visible edges get the new color.
What affects the price of a car paint job?
The size of the area, how much prep the surface needs (dents, rust, peeling clear coat), whether neighboring panels need blending, the paint type and color, and how much is disassembled. A single panel and a full color change are very different jobs.