How Long Does It Take to Paint a Car?

Want your car to look like new on the New Albany roads? A paint job just might do the trick, but it begs the question — How long does it take to paint a car? This is a simple enough question, but there are a variety of factors that will influence how long your car’s paint job ultimately takes. Learn about these factors, as well as more about the car painting process, in this guide from the experts at Byers Collision Center.

Factors That Influence How Long It Takes to Paint a Car

In general, you can expect a body shop to spend between 40 and 80 hours to complete a full paint job for your vehicle. Of course, this isn’t the case for all cars. When you get an estimate with Byers Collision Center, we can provide you with a more accurate timeframe. During our estimate process, we will consider the following factors:

• Model: The type of car you drive in Pickerington impacts how long it takes to paint. Not only does it cost more to paint large SUVs and trucks than sedans and coupes, but it also takes more time to complete the paint job.
• Body Work: This is the most significant factor in how long it takes to paint a car. Whether your car needs dents fixed or scratches buffed out, it’s important to address damage. If you leave dents or scratches and paint over them, you may encounter paint oxidation and rust in the future.
• Preparation: The preparation phase requires dedicated time in the overall car painting process. Acquiring the right or desired paint for your vehicle, sanding down the body panels, and covering surfaces that won’t be painted all must be factored into the overall time estimate.
• Paint Application: Finally, the paint application itself will contribute to the overall car painting timeframe.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you consider how long it takes to paint a car, the answers to these frequently asked questions should help.

How Long Does Bodywork Take?

As previously mentioned, bodywork has the biggest impact on how long it takes to paint a car, but it is perhaps the most important part when restoring a vehicle. It may take up to a week to complete bodywork, depending on the extent of damage.

How Long Does It Take for Car Paint to Dry?

Primer is applied first, and once it dries, auto body specialists will paint the vehicle. Car paint generally takes 30 to 90 minutes to dry. However, some paints may need to dry overnight. A clear coat is applied after the paint.

How Long Should You Wait to Buff a Car After Painting?

Auto body specialists will wait 24 hours after applying the clear coat to buff and polish your vehicle. This allows the clear coat to harden.

Schedule Your Car Paint Job at Byers Collision Center

Now that you have a sense of how long it takes to paint a car, it’s time to schedule your car paint job at Byers Collision Center. Feel free to contact us with any questions about the car painting process before you make your appointment.