The title above has a lot to unpack. Why? Because it is a question that sounds as if you should look at painting your car as a DIY venture, which it isn’t. If the outcome is important to you, and you want the best looking and longest lasting finish (along with functional rust protection), you need to head to an auto paint shop.
What that means is that the question posed in the title should read “what sort of paint would an expert auto paint shop use for cars or trucks?” There are many different answers to the question and lots of debate about them. As one expert in the industry explains, “With new rules regulating the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spray paint now in effect, auto-body shop operators are under pressure to quickly convert from traditional solvent-based paints to newer water-based ones.”
Not only are they better for the environment and less toxic, but the auto paint shop that opts for them is going to:
- Ensure the health and safety of staff and clients
- Have immediate access to the newest and most innovative options
- Find the need for far fewer applications of clear coating. For instance, “For multiple hues and striping, waterborne paint has an advantage when it comes to spraying due to a thinner application. It takes less clearcoat to even out the surface for the different layers.”
- Their painting is going to be cleaner and brighter than the hues possible with solvent-based options
Using waterborne paint, like the popular and widely recommended BASF BASF Waterborne Paints does mean stainless steel equipment to work around the risks of rust, and enhanced air is drying to cut down on dry times between coats, but will yield a much better, overall result. Also, painting with these paints do not limit options in custom colors, metallic paint options and more.
Most rely on two-step processes that include the basecoat and clearcoat, and as is the case with most auto painting, an initial primer is needed.
There is so much to this issue that it is best to just cut straight to the chase and find a reputable auto paint shop long before any work or repairs are needed. For those in the Denver area, BJs Auto Theft & Collision offers premium painting services and paintless dent removal, too. With lifetime warranties, ICAR trained techs and an A+ BBB rating, they can paint your vehicle using the best materials and methods.