Car Respray: Full Guide

When to respray, how long it takes, and what to expect from a professional finish.

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When Do You Need a Respray?

Paint damage: Scratches, chips, or gouges that expose bare metal
Color fade: UV damage or oxidation that won't buff out
Cosmetic appeal: Refreshing your car's appearance or matching panels after repair
Rust prevention: Protecting bare metal from corrosion after impact or accident damage

The Respray Process

1. Preparation

The panel is sanded down to bare metal or primer. Any imperfections are removed. Your car's trim and surrounding panels are masked off.

2. Priming

A protective primer is applied to prevent rust and help the paint adhere properly.

3. Base Coat

The color is matched to your vehicle's original paint using color-matching technology. Multiple coats ensure even coverage.

4. Clear Coat

A protective clear coat is applied over the base for durability, shine, and UV protection.

5. Drying & Finishing

The paint cures fully before masking is removed. Any minor imperfections are polished out.

Color Matching

Professional color matching is critical. We use spectrophotometer technology to ensure your respray perfectly matches the rest of your vehicle, even if your car's color has faded slightly over time.

Cost & Turnaround

A single-panel respray costs £200–500 depending on paint complexity (metallic or pearl finishes cost more). Multi-panel resprays are proportionally more. Turnaround is typically 5–7 days to allow proper curing.

For an accurate quote, upload 3–6 photos via our bodywork quote tool.

Maintenance After Respray

  • Wait 7–10 days before washing to allow full curing
  • Use hand wash only for the first month
  • Apply wax or sealant after 2–3 weeks for extra protection

Get Your Car Resprayed

Professional color matching and multi-coat finish for a like-new appearance.

Expert answer

What makes a quality vehicle respray?

Preparation, contamination control, colour matching, application and finishing determine the result. Paint alone cannot hide poor preparation.