How Long Will a Repainted Car's Paint Job Last?

With the right care, a repainted car’s paint job can last 10 to 15 years. Proper maintenance of a repainted car will extend the paint job's duration.
Written by Brady Klopfer
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Getting your car repainted might feel like a hassle, but it’s a great way to breathe new life into your vehicle.
A new coat of paint can take your car from looking old and boring to new and exciting. What more could you ask for?
But a lot of people who get their car repainted are worried that they’ll just have to turn around and get it painted again in a year or two. So how long exactly does a new paint job last? Car insurance comparison shopping and broker app
Jerry
has compiled everything you need to know about repainting your car.

How long does car paint last?

There are a lot of factors when it comes to the lifespan of a repainted car’s paint job, so you can’t put your finger on exactly how long a repainted car’s paint job will last. However, a good ballpark is 10 to 15 years. Most repainted cars will have their paint last for about that time.
However, if you have a poor paint job and don’t take care of your car, it might not last as long as 10 years. Similarly, if you get a high quality paint job and take great care of it, you can often blow past the 15 year mark while still looking relatively new.

What impacts the duration of a paint job?

There are two huge determinants when it comes to the lifespan of a repainted car’s paint job.
The first determinant is the type of paint being used. It should go without saying that a $500 paint job will be worse than a $5,000 paint job, which will in turn be worse than a $15,000 paint job. But it’s not just the aesthetic quality that will be impacted; it’s also the quality of the paint being used.
Different paints have different life spans. Some will last a very long time, and some won’t last very long at all. Usually the lifespan correlates pretty well to the price of the paint job, but not always. It’s always a good idea to do your homework and ask the person painting your car how long the paint job will last.
The second determinant is things that you can do as a car owner. That’s covered in the next section.

What can you do to extend the life of your repainted car’s paint job?

There are a lot of things you can do to extend the life of the paint job on a repainted car. The most important one is to protect it from the elements.
Paint is damaged by direct sunlight, salty air, and chemicals that might be in rain or snow. If possible, keep your car in a garage whenever you’re home. If that’s not possible, consider a car port or a
car cover
. And if those aren’t options, try to park in the shade as much as possible.
Speaking of shade, oftentimes you find shade under a tree, where your car might be liable to be hit by bird poop or tree sap. Those contaminants can damage a car’s paint, so try and get them off as quickly as possible, rather than letting them sit on your paint for long periods of time.
If your paint ever chips, make sure to repair the paint chips to ensure your car's great paint job looks good throughout the entire vehicle.
Finally, there’s no replacement for simply keeping your car clean. Wash it regularly, and wax it as often as you can (there’s no such thing as waxing a car too much). When washing your car, if possible, avoid using high-powered soaps like detergents and commercial car washes, and don’t use abrasive materials to wash. Keep things soft and gentle when washing, and just wash regularly.
With the right care, a repainted car’s paint job can last you a very long time.
Key Takeaway: To make your new paint job last longer, keep it as safe from the elements as possible, and remove any contaminants (like poop or sap) ASAP. Make sure to repair paint chips too, and wash and wax often with gentle materials.

FAQs

How long will a Maaco paint job last?

Maaco offers cheaper prices than many other car painting services, but if you choose a cheaper option, you can expect cheaper results.
Some customers report unsatisfactory paint jobs that peel after a year, but customers should also keep in mind that proper prep work is important for any paint job. Without the proper materials and processes to prep your car, the paint job won't be as effective or last as long.
A good paint job with proper prep work by the customer should result in a paint job that lasts for years.

How long does a car paint job take?

The application of paint and the drying doesn't take too long, but there is a lot of prep work involved with painting a car. A car paint job from a professional will probably take a few days.
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