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Paint department
Additional Information
Here at The Great Auto Paint, we prioritize quality craftsmanship along with quality paint. We proudly use Cromax EZ paint, from Axalta Coating Systems. Cromax EZ provides world-class color matching and finish on all makes and models, having one of the most OEM approvals and certifications than any other paint brand on vehicles such as BMW, Toyota, Ford, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan, Lexus, Chrysler, Audi, General Motors, and many more.
Our refinish technicians are certified in the Cromax EZ paint system along with Gold-class level ICAR trained. We are able to replicate your car's finish to factory spec and leave a professional and premium quality, offering a lifetime warranty.
See below to learn about paint and its refinishing process.
Understanding Paint Refinishing
What is paint?
Often, automotive paint is thought to be a single layer of pigment on a car, but that is far from the truth. In reality, paint is composed of multiple layers of substrates and adhesion promoters to create the smooth finish you see on the surface. When paint is damaged, it undergoes a meticulous process to replicate the exact undercoats to achieve a good surface and bond. Dents that are fixed or new panels are coated with corrosion protection and primer, which is then sent to the paint department to "re-finish" the OEM paint by applying basecoat and clear coat. Below is the detailed process.
The Refinish Process
Panel Preparation
Substrate application
Substrate application
The beginning of any paint process begins with the proper decontamination of any impurities. After proper cleaning, and any prep work, the car is masked inside and out to protect the entire car from overspray in unwanted areas.
Substrate application
Substrate application
Substrate application
Before the application of any paint, a proper substrate must be prepared. Any exposed metal or plastic is coated with special primers to prevent corrosion and promote adhesion to the panel. Repair areas/ new panels are then coated with primer/sealer to create an even surface to promote a uniform finish for the paint application.
Color Matching
Substrate application
Base Coat Application
The final preparation before painting is the matching of the color to the car. There are multiple ways in determining the right color for your car. They are; color codes, VIN #, color camera, and color chips. 1 color code may be share amongst many different models in one brand, so the process of matching a color can be meticulous.
Base Coat Application
Clear Coat Application
Base Coat Application
Our Low V.O.C waterbase basecoat is applied to the surface where the repair area is located. Unless painting a full panel, the basecoat is used to blend out away from the repair, making the substrate coated with the color coat. This process is finished when the water evaporating from the paint, leaving a dull/flat finish.
Clear Coat Application
Clear Coat Application
Clear Coat Application
The last step in paint application is the clear coat. Clear coat is composed of resins, solvents, and a hardener. A proper application leaves a smooth glossy finish that replicates the rest of OEM paint. Upon drying, the solvents evaporate from the clearcoat, creating a layer of UV protection at the surface of the clear coat.
Baking cycle
Clear Coat Application
Clear Coat Application
After a paint job is done, it is baked to 140 degrees F. This allows for the paint to be fully cured to handle and assemble back together for final delivery. Waxing and automated washing are not recommended for at least 2 weeks for paint to fully harden.