5 Reasons To Paint Your Whole Car After Collision Repair

All too often, collision repair only focuses on the part of the car that was directly impacted. Although this is fine for addressing the dent and crumple damage, more extensive repair is recommended when it comes to the paint. There are quite a few reasons why you may want to repaint the whole car and not just the point of impact. 

1. Ensure Color Matching

Matching paint colors on your car isn't as simple as just using the same paint color that was originally applied. Car paint does fade over time, so the fresh paint may appear more vibrant or it may vary in hue from the older original paint. This color difference makes the repaired area stand out like a sore thumb. Painting the whole vehicle ensures that the color matches everywhere so that the repair is invisible.

2. Prevent Later Flaking

Flaking can be a problem when only part of a car panel is painted. The patched paint often overlaps the original painted area that borders the repair, resulting in an uneven area. This uneven border is more prone to damage and chipping. Further, the paint may not adhere properly to the old paint at the border edge, causing it to peel and flake off. 

3. Avoid Repair Divots

Your car's paint consists of many layers, typically culminating with a clear protective coating on top. Repair divots occur when the repainted area isn't built up to the same layer depth as the surrounding original paint, so the repair is made much more obvious because it appears sunken in. Painting the entire car means that the paint layer depth is consistent everywhere so that there are no visible divots. 

4. Ensure Paint Longevity

Touch-up paint can fade more quickly than the paint around it, in part because it may not have as many layers of protective clear coating applied. Further, the uneven fading due to the different ages and sometimes brands of paint can age a car's appearance prematurely. These are all issues that can be easily avoided by having the entire car repainted at the same time. This may cost extra, but the longevity and cosmetic differences can help the car maintain its value more effectively.

5. Provide Rust Protection

Rust is a major concern in some regions, either due to the practice of salting icy roads or from being near salt water. A collision can lead to cracks or flaking paint in areas that aren't always visible, such as around the edges of fenders or underneath an attached bumper. A fresh paint job on the whole vehicle ensures that there are no rust-exposed areas due to compromised paint protection.

Contact an auto collision repair shop to learn more.