Auto refinishing should be performed by a trusted and qualified auto body team of technicians for guaranteed precision and accuracy. The process is simple yet complex because it requires meticulous workmanship using the right tools, exact paint, and skillful hands. Refinishing can occur for more than one reason including getting rid of a dull or worn paint job due to normal wear and tear or relieving a vehicle of damage or blemishes due to a previous collision. Whatever the case, it is highly recommended to seek a professional team of auto body technicians that can supply the vehicle with the treatment and attention that it needs for the best results. The auto refinishing process is made up of several different steps which can depend on the amount of damage or dents taken on from a collision or the amount of rust, scratches, or blemishes that occur over time due to normal wear and tear. Before the refinishing process begins, it could be useful to understand what auto refinishing means, and what steps may a professional take when completing the job.
What is Auto Refinishing?
Auto refinishing is the process of coating vehicles such as compacts, SUVs, after-market automobiles, motorcycles, light, and medium-duty trucks, and vans with paint, and is usually taken care of in a qualified auto body repair center.
Why would a vehicle need Auto Refinishing?
This process may be necessary if either of the vehicles listed above has been involved in a collision, if the current paint job is peeling, or if rust has begun to accumulate on the vehicle. A complete auto refinish paint job brings life back into the paint job by replacing the old with the new.
What does the Auto Refinishing process include?
The refinishing process is made up of eight different steps all of which require the utmost precision for quality results. A professional auto body technician team will conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle to make a proper estimation as to what areas have accumulated damage, need repairs, or if parts need to be replaced completely. Once the damage is determined, the team of technicians may begin the refinishing process and these steps could start and end with the following:
- The auto body technicians will thoroughly clean the vehicle using soap and water and follow that process with the use of wax or grease remover to get rid of any dirt that resides in the old paint job.
- Areas of the vehicle that are not participating in the refinishing process must be completely covered and can be done so using a tarp and masking tape to ensure the possibility of paint in unwanted areas does not exist.
- All rust will be removed from the vehicle's surface and may be done using a sandblaster or power sanding tool.
- Next, auto body technicians may repair any minor dents located in the panel of the vehicle by either pulling or pounding the dent out of the body of the vehicle using a hammer from the inside. Some auto body technicians may even use a suction cup tool to pull the dent out. If large dents are present, the technicians may recommend replacing the vehicle panel altogether.
- The vehicle's paint will be sanded down. Technicians may rub the exterior surface with 320-grit sandpaper until the previous paint job is smooth and deprived of any rough areas. If the paint was peeling, technicians may remove all the paint by utilizing a power sander.
- The next step may involve priming the surface using the highly recommended option of urethane primer. The primer is applied to the entire surface of the vehicle. Technicians may use 400-grit sandpaper against the surface to smooth out the primer and eliminate any gloss.
- The surface usually needs to be cleaned and dried completely before the topcoat is presented. Once the vehicle's surface has been dried, the vehicle may be inspected to ensure any areas of the vehicle not participating in the refinishing process remain covered. Technicians may begin placing on the topcoat.
- After the topcoat is applied and dried, three clear coats follow. The recommended wait time between coats is 15 mins and experienced technicians may determine what amount of wait time will deliver the best results.
The auto refinishing process is simple yet complex because it is made of detailed cleaning processes, thorough sanding, and precise painting skills. It is recommended to allow a professional and trusted auto body team to establish an estimate for the vehicle to ensure the best outcome.