3 Things to Consider Before Changing the Color of Your Car

One of the ways you can refresh your car is by changing its color. It is still the same car, but a new paint and finish will make it look brand new and fresh. Some car owners do this periodically. Others resort to repainting only when the old paint is no longer worth maintaining.

Regardless of your reason, repainting a car is a big project. As with many other big decisions, there are several things you have to consider before making the leap and changing the color of your car.

The Alternatives

Repainting the car is no longer the only way you can make your car look fresh and new. There are alternatives worth considering too. Wrapping is the first one to look into, especially since there are so many things you can now do with a good wrap installed by experienced technicians.

Wrapping, as the name suggests, is the process of wrapping your car with vinyl or other materials. This is something that can be done to a part of the car or the entire vehicle. You can achieve different looks (i.e. satin finish) without actually doing anything to the car’s original paint. In fact, you are protecting the original paint from the elements.

Another alternative is Plasti Dip. Plasti Dip is very similar to paint, but it is rubber-based and it can be removed if you want. Applying Plasti Dip also means you don’t need to do anything to the original paint and you add an extra layer of protection to the car. Speed Final even has a complete tutorial on how you can remove Plasti Dip once you are bored with the color.

The Time

Next, you want to consider the time needed to repaint the car (or to do the alternative if you are considering one of them). During this time, you won’t be able to use the car at all. Most shops can repaint a car in as little as 42 hours, as long as there are no major body repairs to be done. Others take more than 80 hours to complete.

This is only the minimum time needed for the paint to cure. If you choose to drive the car after the 42-hour period, you have to be very careful with the new paint finish. Some paints require up to 3 weeks to fully cure and reach their maximum hardness.

The Cost

Of course, you can’t just walk into a bodywork shop and repaint your car. There are costs to take into account too. Aside from the actual cost of repainting the car, you also need to take into account the extra costs you have to absorb while living without your car. This includes Uber trips and other costs you may have to pay to commute.

In some situations, you need to renew the registration of your car if the color is changed, and there are fees associated with this process. These details matter, and they are certainly among the things you have to consider before changing the color of your car.