Can You Paint Your Own Car? Why You Shouldn’t “DIY” Your Ride

Most people have attempted a do it yourself project once or twice. Oftentimes, we see a price tag on an item and convince ourselves we can do it cheaper. Frequently, you’ll find that it is not always as easy as it seems.

Refreshing your ride with a fresh coat of paint is one of these scenarios. We put our cars through many different environments and situations where they may collect dents, dings, and scratches. It’s nice to clean up your car every now and again to give it that new car feel and make you feel good while driving it. However, unless you were a body shop technician in a past life, you should take your ride to Maaco's local pros for a professional paint job instead of trying a DIY paint job on your own (regardless of that price tag difference)! Here are three reasons why you should take your car to Maaco instead of taking matters into your own hands.

Automotive Paint vs Spray Paint

Painting your car is one place where a DIY paint job will look like a DIY job. You can’t just grab any spray paint off the store shelf that closely matches your car color and paint away. When it comes to the type of paint used for automotive projects there are significant differences and important facts you need to be aware of.

Automotive paint is a different consistency that is designed to be more resistant to the outside elements than a typical can of spray paint.
Spray paint is designed for short-term coverage and color. Even by adding a protective clear coat, the color of normal spray paint will fade and chip from the heat of an engine or constant sun and rain exposure.
One can of spray paint will not cover the same surface area as automotive paint and will leave behind streaks if the proper equipment is not used.

At Maaco, we take great pride in making your car shine with our auto painting services! We use top-of-the-line automotive paint that includes gloss, color match, and metallic appearance. Leaving you to fall in love with your car all over again!

Time and Process

Painting a car is a long and tedious process that requires multiple steps. To achieve a precise and picturesque paint job, you would have to dedicate multiple days to completing this job yourself.

Be sure to ask your local Maaco what steps may be needed to keep your ride's paint job looking pristine!

Body repair

A new paint job should never go over old dents, dings, or scratches. Even with a fresh coat of paint, those minor body tarnishes will show through. Without extensive knowledge on how to fix these types of repairs, a DIY paint project may only make your vehicle look worse. At Maaco, our techs have mastered the art of eliminating these blemishes so the paint goes on smooth.

Surface Prep

To ensure paint lies evenly and is less likely to crack and peel, the car must be prepped properly. This step can be time consuming but ensures the longevity of your color. This includes sanding and taping as well as removal and assembly of any parts needed.

Seal

Sealer plays that all-important role of establishing a barrier between the old and new paint. This supports consistent color and a higher gloss throughout the entire painted surface. At Maaco, we offer three grades of sealer that includes basic, preferred, and premium. The right choice is all about durability and the amount of prep work needed for your vehicle.

Paint

At Maaco, we offer three paint packages: Basic, Preferred, and Premium. The primary difference in these packages is the longevity of the paint, which includes warranty and durability, and the appearance of the paint, which includes gloss, color match and metallic appearance.

By painting your vehicle yourself, you limit your options by discarding a warranty and durable paint built for cars that will last.

Don’t Do It Yourself. Choose Maaco!

Maaco franchisees are well-versed in the best practices of auto body repair and painting to keep your paint job consistent, beautiful and long-lasting. Our six-step process will leave your car in better shape than you left it. In addition to this tried-and-true process, Maaco has its own set of certifications, earned by centers with outstanding quality and service! All in all, there are many factors to consider when painting your car. To save yourself from a bigger Uh-Oh down the road, take your vehicle to your local Maaco to receive quality service and results. While trying to save a few dollars by flipping your ride yourself may be tempting, Maaco's paint pros can deliver quality and satisfaction that will last!