So I seen some guys talking about spray painting on cars, spray painting SS bumpers and what not. I thought it was first a joke, but I see the idea or option being given as true advice to most in a very serious manner. My question is this:

I recently scrapped the side of my car and there's no real body damage, just the paints gone. Can you get factory paint in a can and make it look legit? It's just I've always been told as a rule of thumb that spray paint is the lowest of low to do to a vehicle and it looks like crap. the area I will be touching up/painting is about a foot long, and is on the side fender on the back of the car.

All information regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yeah you can paint your car with factory color paint that you can buy from AutoZone or napa..ect. i painted my white cobalt 2.2 ls front bumper and it came out fine. Its just a bit of prep work needed 1st. Get some news paper and tape off the areas around the part you want to paint, i think the color for our cars is " white summit " also the more important part is to make sure you paint it in thin layers ( like 3 or 4 ) the 1st layer you should still be able to see the scratch, but not on the 3rd layer. Also get clear coat and do the same thing ( layers ) .

 

You scraped the side of your car? Like how bad?

If it's minor and you can't see primer, your fine just with touch up. You'll be able to notice the difference but not many others will.

I had my old car keyed down the side. I repainted the whole side, and blended the fender and quarter panel. A shop would of wanted at least $1000 to do something like that.

 

FYI guys...

GM does sell our exact paint codes in spray paint at the parts counter in your local dealership.
Its 13 bux for a medium sized spray can (smaller can than Engine enamel bigger than dupi colors small can) It matches up pretty good. Obviously what color primer you have under it and how many coats will affect the final color.

 

can it be done and look ok? yes..
is it easy? no...
will it last? no..

my advice.. have a shop do the repair properly.

 

any time you cut into factory paint it creates an area for the paint to start rusting and peeling. also if you're not repainting an entire body panel it is extremely difficult to blend the new paint with old. it will last if you put the prep work needed and do the entire panel so there are no edges between old and new paint.

but in the end it might just be easier to have a body shop quote it, because then if you dont like it or something goes wrong you have someone to take it to, and not just look in a mirror.

 

I was considering spraying my whole new fiberglass rear bumper int he spring, but am leaning against doing that after hearing some horror stories lol!

 

getting spray paint to look good isn't too bad, but getting spray paint to stay looking good is impossible