Your paint job makes your car look fantastic and protects the body from potential damage like rust or road debris. When it becomes damaged, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible to keep your vehicle in good condition. 

Paint repair can cost anywhere from $10 to $9,000 with most repairs landing between $150 and $750. However, the price of paint repair can range a lot depending on many factors like the type of paint, severity of damage, and more. 

StormWise has used only premium paint to restore the appearance and functionality of 1000s of satisfied customers. Since we want to make sure you always pay a fair cost for a car paint job, we put together this comprehensive guide. 

Keep reading to learn the average cost of car paint repair, factors that influence the price, different options for paint damage, the pros and cons of DIY touch-up paint, and more. 

Jump to:

• Average Cost of Car Paint Repair
• Factors Influencing Car Paint Repair Cost
• Auto Paint Repair Options
• DIY vs. Professional Car Paint Repair
• Insurance and Car Paint Repair
• Car Paint Repair Cost FAQs

Average Cost of Car Paint Repair

When it comes to answering the question, “How much is a paint job for a car?” the answer really depends on the type of paint damage and repair. For example, minor scratch repair or touch-up paint is going to cost significantly less than it will to fix deep scratches, paint an entire body panel, or respray the whole car. 

To make it easy, we compiled this table with a breakdown of the average auto paint repair costs based on the type of paint repair. 

Factors Influencing Car Paint Repair Cost

There are different factors that can affect how much to get your car painted including the extent of the paint damage, the location of the damage, the type and color of paint, and the vehicle itself. 

Extent of Damage

The severity and type of damage will influence the cost of car paint repair. Small scratches might only take an auto body shop a couple of hours to repair while a deep scratch through an entire paint layer to reveal bare metal might require significantly longer repairs.

Location of Damage

The location of car paint scratches, dings, scuffs, or dents might also impact the price. For example, a minor scratch on a door panel might be less expensive than a similar scratch on a fender or bumper. That’s because some areas offer complications including curves, headlights, sensors, cameras, and crumple zones. 

Type and Color of Paint

 The type of paint a repair shop uses will make a difference not only in the cost, but in the durability and appearance of your vehicle and paint job. Additionally, some paint colors are more common or popular while others may be more specialized and only available through certain manufacturers. This will influence the cost of materials and total car paint repair costs. 

Vehicle Make and Model

Different vehicles may come with different paint repair costs. This not only relates to the deductible, but larger vehicles may require more paint or layers. Plus, luxury brands may also cost more due to the paint color as well as potential metallic flakes, unique finishes, and other factors. 

Auto Paint Repair Options

When you take your care into an auto body shop or dealership for paint damage, you may have a few options depending on the type of damage. These options include touch-up paint, full resprays, paintless dent repair, and car panel paint.

Touch-up repairs are a form of car scratch repair that addresses small areas with surface scratches and clear coat scratches that don’t go all the way through the paintwork and to the metal. If you have deep paint scratches, then you may require a full layer of paint and professional detailing. 

If the entire vehicle needs to be painted either to change the appearance or to restore the original vivid color and shine, this is referred to as a full respray. In general, it will include multiple coats, primer, wax, and all additional necessary detailing. 

Finally, sometimes when you have a dent you may not even require a paint job. With paintless dent repair, the dent can be removed, and the aesthetic restored without using any paint. If there is a remaining scratch, then touch-up paint can be added to make your car look as good as new once again. 

DIY vs. Professional Car Paint Repair

While we strongly suggest professional body repair and paint work for anything more than surface level or very minor damage, you do have the option of doing your own paint repair. To do so, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and supplies, learn best practices, and take precautionary measures. 

DIY Paint Repair Pros and Cons

Depending on the type of damage, you’ll need a paint repair kit, microfiber clothes, paint, rubbing compound, primer, sandpaper, clear coat, wax, polisher, and more. The process will involve determining the chip or scratch size, cleaning the area, smoothing any raised edges, applying the primer (if necessary), applying the paint and clear coat, and polishing, buffing, and waxing the area. 

You will also need to determine how much paint does it take to paint a car, make sure you take the time for multiple layers, and take safety measures for both you and your vehicle. That being said, DIY repairs can save you money. The average cost of DIY paint repair ranges from around $20 to $1000 or more depending on the severity of damage, type of paint, and other factors. 

Pros

• Potential to save money 
• Convenient (Don’t have to leave your vehicle at an auto body shop)

Cons

• No insurance coverage
• May be difficult to match colors
• Won’t use professional equipment or premium paint 
• No warranty 

Professional Paint Repair Pros and Cons

While you can save a little money by doing it yourself, using a professional like StormWise means you get premium paint, a lifetime warranty, expert paintwork, additional bodywork, fast turnaround, and professional customer service. 

We’ll use the best coat of paint and equipment including specialty rubbing compounds, long-lasting wax, and more. Plus, your car insurance company may cover some or all of the costs, which means that you may pay even less out of pocket with professional service than you would for DIY. 

Pros

• Precise color matching
• Lifetime warranty (with StormWise)
• Professional results, paint, and equipment
• Insurance coverage

Cons

• May be more expensive 
• You may be without your vehicle for a few days 

Insurance and Car Paint Repair

Your insurance company may cover your car paint repair depending on your policy. In general, car insurance will cover paint damage under collision coverage, so if the paint damage occurred due to a car accident and you have full coverage, then your insurance should cover it

Additionally, your insurance could potentially cover paint damage under comprehensive coverage as well. This would help pay for paint jobs due to hail damage, vandalism, falling tree limbs, and some other damage types. 

However, remember that you will have to pay your deductible before the insurance company will start to reimburse you for the rest of the costs. Because of this, it may not be worth it to use insurance for minor scratches that are less than or slightly more than your deductible. 

If you do plan on using insurance, StormWise will help you file your claim, work with adjusters, and talk to the insurance company on your behalf. 

Conclusion

Car paint repair costs can vary greatly depending on the vehicle, paint color, severity of damage, and other factors. That’s because minor scratches and scuffs can be repaired with touch-up paint while other paint repairs may require a coat of paint on an entire panel or the whole vehicle. Plus, when you consider how much to paint a van versus a compact car, you need to think about the amount of paint and time required. 

For minor scratches you can also consider DIY repair, but a professional will ensure a precise color match and professional appearance. If you want only the highest quality results for your vehicle as well as a lifetime warranty, choose StormWise for your paint repairs! 

Car Paint Repair Cost FAQs

How long does car paint repair usually take?

Car paint repair can take as little as a single day to a couple of weeks. On average, you can expect an auto body shop to have your vehicle for 2 to 3 days for scratches, dents, and dings. 

Will the repaired paint match the rest of my car’s color?

Yes, when StormWise or other professional auto body shops repair your paint job, technicians will use the paint code to ensure precise color matching. You can also find this on the label inside the driver’s door. 

However, this will only work for vehicles built after 1983. If you have an older vehicle, then we’ll check vehicle repair records to discover the exact color. If this doesn’t work, then we’ll have to find the closest possible match the old-fashioned way. 

Is it possible to repair small paint chips and scratches on my own?

Yes, you can repair minor types of scratches yourself, but there are some things to keep in mind to avoid making a mistake that can affect the integrity or appearance of your vehicle. When you fix your own paint scratches, you want to make sure you address rust, match colors properly, apply even coats of paint, and ensure that there are no streaks or imperfections

Can you use spray paint to fix car paint chips?

While you can use spray paint to cover up your paint chips, we don’t recommend doing so. First, it will be hard to get a paint match with the surrounding area. Additionally, spray paint tends to cause swirls, uneven applications, and other problems. 

How can I save money on car paint repair costs?

If you’re wondering, “How much is it to get your car painted?” then you probably want to save as much money as possible. There are a few things you can do to save on car paint repair costs. First, make sure you choose a reputable professional with a good reputation. This ensures you get premium paint and that the prices will be fair. 

Second, you can compare estimates from different auto body shops. StormWise will ensure the highest quality paint and offers free one-hour estimates to help you save time and money with your paint repair.  

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