Maybe you want to bring your car’s shine back, fix some scratches after a little accident, or change the color just because you feel like it. A new paint job sounds like the perfect solution. But if you’re thinking about it, you might be wondering: How long does it really take to paint a car?
It’s not as simple as spraying on a fresh coat and hitting the road. Painting a car takes time, patience, and a lot of steps to do it right. In this post, you’ll find out what goes into painting a car, how long each part usually takes, and what you can expect if you’re planning to get your car painted.
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How Much Time Does a Full Car Paint Job Take?
Let’s get to the heart of it. If you take your car to a professional body shop for a solid, high-quality paint job, expect it to take around three days to one week. That’s for cars that are in pretty good shape (no serious rust or body issues).
If you’re dreaming of a fancy, show-stopping, custom job with special effects or heavy body repairs, that can take two weeks to a month (sometimes even more). Cheaper chains like Maaco can get it done in 2-3 days for their lowest-price service, but that level is basic and not as thorough.
Why Good Painting Takes a Few Days: What Happens Step by Step
A proper paint job is much more than just spraying paint. The steps before painting matter the most for a great finish. Here’s how it usually goes:
Day 1: Getting Ready and Taking Things Apart
- Cleaning: The shop starts by washing your car to see what condition the body and paint are really in.
- Taking Off Parts: They remove items like bumpers, mirrors, handles, grilles, lights, and badges. This prevents overspray and helps with a neater finish.
- Sanding: They sand down the old clear coat and paint to help the new layers stick. This takes a while but it’s key for smooth results.
Day 2: Repairs, Masking, and Primer
- Fixing Dents or Rust: If your car has dents, dings, or spots starting to rust, the team fixes them now. This can include pulling out dents, sanding off rust, or using filler to smooth rough spots.
- Masking: Using paper and tape, they cover parts that aren’t being painted (like windows and trim) to avoid unwanted spray.
- Priming: The team sprays on primer, let it dry, and may sand it again to get an even surface.
Day 3: Painting and Clear Coat
- Clean Again: Right before painting, the car is wiped down carefully to remove any dust or oils.
- Color Goes On: The painter sprays multiple thin coats of your chosen color, letting each coat set for a bit.
- Clear Coat: After the color, several layers of clear coat are applied. This is what makes your car shiny and protects the paint from the sun and weather.
Day 4 and Beyond: Finishing Touches
- Drying or Baking: Many shops “bake” the car in a warm booth to help paint dry faster. But even then, the paint isn’t fully ready for rough roads right away.
- Buffing and Polishing: Some shops will gently sand and polish the new clear coat to get that super-smooth, mirror-like gloss.
- Putting Parts Back: All the items removed (handles, lights, badges, etc.) get reinstalled.
- Final Check and Cleanup: A last inspection and cleaning before you get the call to pick up your car.
Things That Change the Timeline
Several things can speed up or slow down the painting process:
- Paint Job Quality: Cheaper or quick paint jobs usually skip a lot of steps, especially the prep. These can take only 2-3 days. High-end work, with tons of prep and detail, takes weeks because of all the extra labor.
- Car Condition: If your car has big dents, peeling paint, or rust, it’ll need more repairs. That adds time.
- Paint Color or Type: Some colors need more layers to cover, especially if you’re making a huge color change. Fancy paints like pearl or chameleon types take extra work.
- Body Shop’s Schedule: Shops get busy. Sometimes your car has to wait a few days for its turn in the booth.
Painting Small Parts: Bumper, Hood, or Scratch Repairs
You don’t always need the whole car painted. Here’s how long smaller jobs usually take:
- Bumper or Fender: These can often be finished in 1-2 days if you just bring in the part. If you leave the car, expect 2-4 days for removal, prep, painting, and reinstall.
- Hood or Roof: Bigger, flat sections like hoods or roofs usually take 3-5 days.
- Scratch or Spot Painting: Small spot repairs (for minor scrapes or stone chips) may take just 1 to 2 days to blend the color.
Doing It Yourself: How Long If You Paint at Home?
If you’re thinking about painting your car yourself in the garage, know that it’s a big project. For most DIYers, it takes 40-80 hours of work, usually spread over a few weekends.
Prepping (that’s the sanding and fixing little dents) is what eats up the most time. You’ll also have to wait for each layer (primer, color, clear) to dry. And remember, without a dust-free booth, it’s much harder to get a perfect finish. Rushing at home usually leads to runs, drips, or dust in the paint.
The Paint Needs to Cure: What You Need to Know
Even after the car looks dry and glossy, the paint needs time to cure—which means it becomes tough, hard, and bonded.
- Dry to Touch: In a shop with warm air, paint feels dry within a few hours.
- Full Cure: Paint fully hardens in 30 to 90 days. During this time, be gentle—don’t wash with soap or wax it for the first month.
Final Thoughts and Key Tips
Getting your car painted isn’t something you want rushed. A beautiful and long-lasting finish only comes with careful prep, steady work, and time for the paint to cure. Trust a good shop, be patient, and take care of your car’s new look for years to come.
Key Takeaways:
- Standard Full Paint Job: Around 3 days to 1 week for a quality job.
- Prep Work Matters: Proper sanding, disassembly, and fixing dents take time but show in the results.
- Quick Jobs Skimp Steps: Fast, cheap work is usually less lasting and not as slick.
- Curing Is Crucial: Even when paint is dry to the touch, it takes a month or more to fully set.
- Partial Repairs Are Quicker: Bumpers and small spots may only take a couple of days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does Maaco take to paint a car?
Maaco can sometimes finish a paint job in as little as 2-3 days for their basic service. Their higher-end packages take about a week.
2. How long does car paint take to dry?
In a heated paint booth, paint feels dry in a few hours. Without this, expect it to take a whole day or more. But full hardening takes 30 days or longer.
3. Can I paint a car myself in a day?
No—there’s too much prep and time needed for drying between coats. Even for pros, a one-day full paint job isn’t realistic. Trying to rush usually leads to poor results, like peeling or uneven paint.
Read More: How Long Does It Take for Exterior Paint to Dry? Easy Guide for Homeowners