What Kind Of Paint?

A new paint job is a delicate beast, and everybody loves a good one. Today’s body shops are seeing a higher intake volume, and their production schedules are filling up fast. Ours is no different. The industry has had to adapt to the fast paced environment we live in, and through that we’ve seen a change in the way we paint our vehicles. Auto body shops simply cannot wait 90 days for paint to dry prior to washing cars anymore, so we’ve seen a vast influx of quicker drying paints on the market to keep repair times down.

                There are numerous different brands and types of paint on the market for auto body. The four most common types of paint used on vehicles are lacquer, urethane, enamel and water-based.  

·         Lacquer: This paint is rarely seen on vehicles these days due to how easily it chips. It was typically found on vehicles made between 1920-1960. This paint is high-gloss and easy to apply, but does not adhere well and will not last as long as desired.

·         Urethane: This paint is highly toxic, but is effective and easy to use creating beautiful paint jobs. It combines the smooth coverage of lacquer and the hard chipfree abilities of enamel to make an effective and beautiful paint. This is a more expensive option, but by far one of the prettiest ones on the market.

·         Enamel: This is a hard bake on paint. It is what is most commonly used in most body shops. The paint lasts much longer than lacquer, and is applied in two coats, a base coat and a top clear coat.

·         Water-based: Our preferred method of painting a vehicle is using water-based paint. It is much better for the environment, and much easier on our technicians. Instead of using solvents to suspend the pigment in the paint, it uses water. This paint is not as strong as enamel, so it typically requires an acrylic clear coat to protect it scratches and UV damage.

One of the most common questions we hear in this business is “how long do I need to wait to wash my vehicle?” Due to the various different types of paint on the market, an easy rule of thumb would be to assume that you do not have lacquer paint on your vehicle, provided it’s newer than 1960. That being said, you can wash your car immediately after driving it off the lot, though it is not recommended. Remember to always wash your vehicle in the shade, and to use soft terry towels and sponges without abrasive edges to ensure that your paint job stays nice and pristine for longer. If you accidentally scrape up your vehicle, remember we’re just a phone call away!

Perks of Detailing Your Vehicle

We all crave that new car smell and feel. When you pull a new one off the lot, and it’s pristine, no smells waft out of the seats when you plop down and there’s no ground in goldfish from your kids in the backseat… That new car feeling is desirable, so what if you can get that feeling with the car you already own? There are many benefits to having regular details done on your vehicle, from the mental benefit of feeling clean, to impressing your friends with your sweet ride. What if detailing your car could up the resale value? Guess what, it does. Regularly detailing your vehicle has tons of benefits, and so here’s a couple of reasons why:

• Having your vehicle professionally detailed will clean out any excess salt from your wheels, undercarriage, wheel wells, engine compartment, and all the other nooks and crannies in your car. This prevents potential corrosion. 
• Even small scratches in the paint can oxidize, and having those scratches buffed out and sealed protect your vehicle from rust. Professional detailing products contain UV protectant's that will help keep your paint from fading. 
• The interior of your vehicle will fade from the sun, as well as absorb all kinds of random odors that are faint to you, but evident to others. A professional detailer can eliminate those odors and restore your interior with various products. 
• They will clean out your engine compartment. You read that right, a lot of people will wash their vehicle and forget that the engine compartment also needs to be taken care of! When you’re selling or trading in your vehicle, a clean engine compartment will instill confidence in the potential buyer by showing them that you maintain your vehicle. 

Market experts say that detailing can up the value of your vehicle by 15%. That’s an incredible jump for any car, especially if you’re in the position to purchase a new vehicle. If you know that you’re going to be in the market for something new in the near future, or even if you’re planning on keeping your vehicle until the end of time, taking care of your belongings will make them last longer. Get your car professionally detailed today for the peace of mind, and to protect one of the larger investments in your life.