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How do I fix car paint shrinkage?

The paint on my car is wrinkling, and it looks pretty awful. I’m not really sure what happened. How can I fix car paint shrinkage?

avatar
Claire Beaney · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oof, sorry to hear that your vehicle is looking less than spiffy!
It sounds like the intermediate layer of paint was applied too thickly. When the surface of the paint and the underside dry at different rates, the result is a wrinkled finish. Thankfully, car paint shrinkage is fixable, but it will take a bit of effort. Here are the three basic steps to fix car paint shrinkage:
  1. Scrape and remove all that old wrinkled paint.
  2. Sand the area smooth in preparation for a new coat of paint.
  3. Prime and paint. If primer is necessary, prime the area first and let dry. Then, apply paint while following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Pay strict attention to spread rate and temperature suggestions.
Although it’s possible to fix your paint yourself, it may be a job best left to professionals. The
cost of car painting
will depend on how much surface area requires refinishing. A small spot may cost less, while a fancy finish will cost more.
Once you’ve got a fresh new paint job, why not freshen up your car insurance with
Jerry
? A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy.
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