There are many factors to consider when deciding on the best body paint for refinishing a car. The aesthetic appeal may be seemingly the most important, however, multiple other factors also need consideration, especially when running a vehicle body shop. These include the process of application, vehicle body paint drying time, potential health hazards and the base coat and finishing options. Both urethane and acrylic car paints are popular options, and our accident repair centre has listed some of the best options…
Firstly, here is everything you need to know about the different types of vehicle paint:
The standard vehicle paint used in industry is urethane paint and for the past two decades, have mostly replaced acrylic paints as the best car paint, and many individuals’ first choice. Nowadays, it is difficult to replicate authentic factory paint, however, car restorers believe that urethane provides a nicer looking finish than acrylic paint. When properly maintained, a coat of urethane paint will outlast most acrylic paints. This is because it is more durable and also chip-resistant. You can read about how we tackle Alloy Wheel Repairs here.
Acrylic paints are generally water-based, therefore the resin adheres to the product using water as its primary agent, as opposed to depending on a solvent (i.e. polyurethane paints). It is for this reason that water-based acrylic paints are far less toxic than urethane. Acrylic paint is ready to use directly from the can – due to hardeners and other added chemicals being unnecessary – but the application process is slightly different to urethane, as acrylic paints tend to emerge in smaller droplets. The drying process is much slower than urethane paints and it is recommended that the coat should be left to sit for 24 to 48 hours before applying another coat.
Here are our top picks for the best vehicle body paint, as selected by our vehicle body shop:
Dupli-Color BSP200 Shop Finish System
Not only does this provide a beautiful finish, it is also great for beginners as there is no mixing involved. This makes paintwork repair very easy! Some reviewers have described this paint as being, “By far the best-priced paint for the results,” and another confirmed, “This paint is amazing. Easy to use, looks great, and shines even before the clear coat.” Our accident repair centre strongly agrees with these reviews and believes that this vehicle body paint is one of the best options when doing paintwork repair to your vehicle.
Speedokote High Gloss Jet Black 2k Acrylic Urethane
This paint can be applied in a single stage as high-quality urethane top coating. It is a two-part system that uses acrylic urethane pigments for colouring and is activated with another compound. The only negatives our paintwork repair centre has found with this paint is that it could use a little bit more pigment and that it seems a bit thick out of the can and needs thinning with the reducer. However, the glossy jet-black results on curvy metal are definitely worth it according to our accident repair centre. We have found that the main pros of this paint is that it is a UV-resistant formula, it hardens in a few hours and has good weather resistance.
Dupli-Color BUN0100 Universal Gloss Black
Another Dupli-Color favourite of ours is this ready-to-use acrylic lacquer spray paint. Our vehicle body shop has found that it dries quickly and is formulated to precisely complement the original factory colouring of your car. We believe that it is great for touch up work and other handy jobs, as it is a one-part spray system. With a wide range of matching colours for both popular older models and newer vehicles. Our accident repair centre trusts that it is convenient for restoring scratched surfaces as well as paintable accessories, therefore is a great choice when completing paintwork repair.
PlastiKote 1004 Universal White Automotive Touch-Up Paint
As a vehicle body shop, we believe that lacquer paints are the best choice if you are looking for the glossiest looks. Available in matching factory colours for the most popular vehicle models, this durable and quick-drying base coat is excellent for restoring your car’s finish in spots. Our accident repair centre has discovered that after properly following the three steps of applying primer, base and clear top coats, you should be able to get the best results. This paint can be readily sprayed on a quick colour coat for spraying onto surfaces that can be sanded to the existing primer layer. Our vehicle body shop has found the positives of this paint as being the exact factory match, being naturally UV and fade resistant and having a very glossy finish with multiple coatings.
Rust-Oleum 275234 Brilliant Silver Automotive Auto Body Paint
This paint features a special formulation that inhibits rust growth, making it a prime candidate for coating undersides and wheel walls, or any surface exposed to flying debris and corrosive effects. When delivered, the paint is ready to use and requires little to no mixing. Our accident repair centre has found that it sprays on nicely and dries in approximately 30 minutes. More coatings can be sprayed on at any time and there is no window limitations. Our vehicle body shop believes that this vehicle paint is extremely durable and weather-resistant, making it a suitable option when doing paintwork repair.
Don’t forget Plasti-Dip!
If you’re looking for a unique finish on your vehicle or are keen to change its colour, look no further than Jenkins & Pain. We offer a specialist plasti dip services to help you change the look of your vehicle. This unique liquid wrap is popular in the U.S. and is growing in popularity here in the UK and we are pioneering the process.
Plasti-dipping is cheaper than traditional vehicle wrapping and vinyl wrapping or respraying. It’s easy to remove or replace without the need of sharp utensils. Taking only 48 hours to cover an entire vehicle, plasti dipping is the future of vehicle modification!
Use Jenkins & Pain, Award-Winning Accident Repair
There you have it, If you do find yourself with damage to your beloved paintwork and need a car repair or van repair you can count on us to complete all jobs using industry-standard processes. We offer free quotes and with our exclusive repair service, we are sure you will be happy with the results. Contact our Vehicle Body Shop today. Jenkins & Pain are a vehicle accident repair centre based in Dover, Kent. We are proud to call ourselves an award-winning accident repair centre.
Ready to Visit Our Vehicle Body Shop?
We understand how costly and inconvenient it is for a vehicle to be off the road and therefore we use processes that ensure your vehicle is repaired quickly and efficiently. So whether you need minor scratch repairs, major body repair, or alloy wheel refurbishment, our van body shop and car body shop can guarantee a high-quality service. We also repair light commercial vehicles and motorhomes. Contact us today for a paint repair at our Car Body Shop!