Car repaint (same color) with as good quality as factory paint ? is it possible ?

[OneMoreFarang]

A complete repaint, or is it respray, is a hell of a job.

Long time ago in a country far away I helped a friend with such a job. He was a professional car mechanic. We stripped everything out of his car including interior, windows, lights, and and and. And then a professional painted it in a professional place (good lighting all around).

It can be done but it is a lot of work and because it includes removing windows etc. the mechanics should know that car model in detail.

[CharlieH]

Reported flame and other bickering removed.

 

Keep it civil please.

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, l4ml4m said:

 

I am driving german cars and i EXACTLY know what is a good job compared to a toyota paint...

 

 

Umh, I think that quite a lot of the "German cars" sold here are made in Thailand or China!

 

I pass a car body repair workshop every day, and you would not believe some of the wrecks lined up outside in the morning. In due course they emerge, looking like new (to my untutored eye at least). I wouldn't like to bet on how well they go round corners though!

[Jaxxper]

Find a paint/body shop that does repairs for insurers ( They will have proper finishing rooms, rather than spraying it in a shop front). I think the going rate for good quality paint is about Thb 2,000/panel. So assuming a good condition of bodywork and size of car I would expect anywhere between Thb 30 to 35 k.

[rwill]

I asked my dealer, Ford, how much it would cost to repaint a car.  They told me about 70K baht.

[transam]

15 hours ago, stubuzz said:

 

"Factory paint " is paint from reputable companies such as ICI, Sikkens, PPG, Glasurit... This exact paint is also available to professional body shops. 

However, please note that many cheaper paint shops will use cheaper paint brands that will not stand the test of time.

Do not assume that dealers will produce better jobs especially in Thailand.

Paint job quality of finish is down to the bloke with the gun....

 

Most dealers farm out body work, there are exceptions, my Toyota dealer for instance, they even have a chassis straightening jig.....

[chuang]

Pay peanuts get peanuts..

[ChipButty]

1 hour ago, rwill said:

I asked my dealer, Ford, how much it would cost to repaint a car.  They told me about 70K baht.

Most of the dealers seem to palm the work out, try and find the garage who does their work it no doubt be cheaper

[Grusa]

I had my 12 year old Vigo resprayed 5 years ago. First class job, 30,000 baby plus odd spare parts, decals, etc. Still good as new. Only issue was the top-up cover, which had to be redone (at no cost) because the surface crazed (wrong primer).

I don't know the name, but here's a link to the location:

12°56'49.0"N 100°55'15.5"E
Porn Prapa Nimit 7, Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150
https://goo.gl/maps/TPdph2HsJJtfMcFd6

 

Also, I got sandwiched, so front and rear repairs done by this lot (insurance job), it was slow but good.

อะตอม การาจ
66 สุขุมวิทพัทยา Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4UqH31tGGc1Jfonz8

 

 

Edited January 18, 2021 by Grusa
extra info

[KannikaP]

On 1/17/2021 at 9:20 AM, transam said:

Actually, I am very impressed with bodywork/paint jobs in my area. Thai blokes seem to have a flair for it. ???? 

Because they get so much practice fixing up crashed ones.

[Yellowtail]

1 hour ago, chuang said:

Pay peanuts get peanuts..

 

Uhh, I think it's get monkeys...

[digger70]

19 hours ago, l4ml4m said:

 

I am driving german cars and i EXACTLY know what is a good job compared to a toyota paint...

 

 

Wow  ????,   What do you think?  Germans can Paint and finish a car Better than in  another Country? 

There's Good and Bad and than you have the Ugly Spray jobs in Every Country.

[Thingamabob]

Excellent resprays available in Bangkok, and in Thailand generally.

[l4ml4m]

18 hours ago, stubuzz said:

 

"Factory paint " is paint from reputable companies such as ICI, Sikkens, PPG, Glasurit... This exact paint is also available to professional body shops. 

However, please note that many cheaper paint shops will use cheaper paint brands that will not stand the test of time.

Do not assume that dealers will produce better jobs especially in Thailand.

 

Thank you, one of the few smart and useful replies here.

So we should check the paint brand used by the shop ?

Maybe also check the prep and step by check painting ?

and you are clearly right to say that dealers are not better !!!

 

 

[l4ml4m]

18 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

A complete repaint, or is it respray, is a hell of a job.

Long time ago in a country far away I helped a friend with such a job. He was a professional car mechanic. We stripped everything out of his car including interior, windows, lights, and and and. And then a professional painted it in a professional place (good lighting all around).

It can be done but it is a lot of work and because it includes removing windows etc. the mechanics should know that car model in detail.

 

yes it's respray ? I of course do not want that anybody remove everything from the car before painting !

 

[l4ml4m]

18 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

Umh, I think that quite a lot of the "German cars" sold here are made in Thailand or China!

 

I pass a car body repair workshop every day, and you would not believe some of the wrecks lined up outside in the morning. In due course they emerge, looking like new (to my untutored eye at least). I wouldn't like to bet on how well they go round corners though!

 

I only by German cars when they are just launched in Germany, it means that I only by import, because new series / models are made in Thailand usually after 6 months/1 year, not at the launch. I would never buy a car made in Thailand because the finishing is clearly not the same.

 

 

 

 

[l4ml4m]

3 hours ago, Jaxxper said:

Find a paint/body shop that does repairs for insurers ( They will have proper finishing rooms, rather than spraying it in a shop front). I think the going rate for good quality paint is about Thb 2,000/panel. So assuming a good condition of bodywork and size of car I would expect anywhere between Thb 30 to 35 k.

this is the price at the cheapest shop, not a price for good quality !

 

[l4ml4m]

1 hour ago, Grusa said:

Only issue was the top-up cover, which had to be redone (at no cost) because the surface crazed (wrong primer).

so how can you recommend them if these idiots are not even able to do their job correctly ?

thank you anyway !

 

Edited January 18, 2021 by l4ml4m

[Rimmer]

A post discussing moderation has been removed

[Brick Top]

On 1/17/2021 at 7:44 AM, ChipButty said:

It is possible but depends where you live, if you live out in the sticks then I guess you would be limited if you where here in Phuket I could recommend a top guy I had my truck a full re spray 2 years ago it came back like new, This guy must be well known in Thailand he does lots of car restorations I've seen alsorts of cars in there from old Merc's to MGB's 

 

Could you possibly send me his contract details please , I have a 1963 Volkswagen Beatle in Phuket that I need a professional respray doing .

[transam]

1 hour ago, l4ml4m said:

 

I only by German cars when they are just launched in Germany, it means that I only by import, because new series / models are made in Thailand usually after 6 months/1 year, not at the launch. I would never buy a car made in Thailand because the finishing is clearly not the same.

 

 

 

 

What German models are not assembled in LOS that you buy..?...

[Deli]

On 1/17/2021 at 7:44 AM, ChipButty said:

It is possible but depends where you live, if you live out in the sticks then I guess you would be limited if you where here in Phuket I could recommend a top guy I had my truck a full re spray 2 years ago it came back like new, This guy must be well known in Thailand he does lots of car restorations I've seen alsorts of cars in there from old Merc's to MGB's 

 

Can you please PM me his contact ? I got 2 trucks spraid and body work done but the result was not the best. After 3 or 4 years, paint came off, rust came through. Paid 40 k per truck

 

[OneMoreFarang]

4 hours ago, l4ml4m said:

 

yes it's respray ? I of course do not want that anybody remove everything from the car before painting !

 

If you don't remove the windows and other parts then your respray won't be perfect.

[Rimmer]

A derogatory post has been removed

[KhaoYai]

On 1/16/2021 at 8:58 PM, l4ml4m said:

hi,

everytime I see a car that has been repainted, the quality of the paint is far to be as good as the car paint after it comes from factory.

but do you know if it is really possible and how much it would cost ?

what do you think that they don't know how to do correctly here ? are they trying to save paint by using less ? are they using a clear coat after painting ?

do you have a good garage to recommend ?

Thank you.

Too many variables to give a precise answer to your questions.  For example, if by 'as good' you are refering to the look of the finish - some factory paint finishes are not that good.  The paint used by manufacurers is different to re-finish paints as they bake at higher temperatures. In addition car manuafcurers used water based paints these days as do most of the re-finishers in Europe. Water based application in a refinish setting is a little different and relies more on air movement to dry the paint than heat. It can be tricky to get the conditions right for water based applications without the correct equipment.

 

In Thailand most of the re-finishers I've seen are still using 2 pack isocyanate based paints - not that there is anything wrong with them - apart from harmful emissions, but the finish can appear different. Without a massive upgrade, the paintshops I've seen in Thailand are better suited to 2 pack systems - its certainly what I would use.

 

The quality of any re-paint depends on 2 main items - preparation and condition of the substrate.  To translate that into English, if the condition of the original paint is basically good and the refinish is only required for cosmetic reasons, there is no better substrate than the original finish.  This is because it is very difficult to get the same surface adhesion to bare metal in a refinish situation.  That is not to say that a good job cannot be done when stripping a vehicle down to bare metal of painting new panels, its just not as easy.  In factory settings, most manufacturers 'dip' prime vehicle bodies, some use an electro-static system to improve adhesion. 

 

The paints by used by manufacturers are 'wet on wet' - one coat on top of another with no sanding between coats and the process is carried out in clinical conditions. Because of the type of paint used, this actually gives better adhesion than a sanded process. In a re-finish situation you are entirely reliant on the substrate being properly sanded and every nook and cranny being reached.

 

I've seen some absolutely fantastic looking finishes done in Thailand in very poor conditions and conversely, I've seen some very poor jobs turned out by main dealers.  Its down to the man, his preparation and the materials he uses. That said, there is no guarantee that the fantastic finshes I've seen will last, not chip easily or fade.

 

As for base and clear (clear coat) vs solid colour - if your car has a metallic, pearl or mica finish, they are only available in base and clear.  Manufacturers changed over to base and clear systems for solid colours many years ago for a number or reasons - but basically because its easier to achieve a good finish. A bonus is that they are more durable and less prone to fading in the sun.  Some paint manufacturers still offer a solid colour re-finish option which is obviously cheaper but does not offer the same protection.  There can also be a difference in tone under some light conditions - meaning that if a car's original finish is base and clear and a repaired panel is re-finished in a solid colour alternative, it is likely to look different. I would go for base and clear every time. However, the operator must know what he is doing.  The heat in Thailand means that the clear coat will need to be applied almost immediately - if not it will almost certainly flake and peel in the future.

 

(30 years in the motor trade, qualified apprentice trained paint sprayer, 5 years technical rep with Herberts Standox paints - OE. and refinish paint manufacturer).

 

 

[DJ54]

A guy in the Village does a fantastic job.. doesn’t cut corners .. takes off all parts possible.. door handles, lights etc. I was shocked

at the quality... fantastic.. all about the prep...

[salsajapan]

On 1/18/2021 at 8:44 PM, KhaoYai said:

Too many variables to give a precise answer to your questions.  For example, if by 'as good' you are refering to the look of the finish - some factory paint finishes are not that good.  The paint used by manufacurers is different to re-finish paints as they bake at higher temperatures. In addition car manuafcurers used water based paints these days as do most of the re-finishers in Europe. Water based application in a refinish setting is a little different and relies more on air movement to dry the paint than heat. It can be tricky to get the conditions right for water based applications without the correct equipment.

 

In Thailand most of the re-finishers I've seen are still using 2 pack isocyanate based paints - not that there is anything wrong with them - apart from harmful emissions, but the finish can appear different. Without a massive upgrade, the paintshops I've seen in Thailand are better suited to 2 pack systems - its certainly what I would use.

 

The quality of any re-paint depends on 2 main items - preparation and condition of the substrate.  To translate that into English, if the condition of the original paint is basically good and the refinish is only required for cosmetic reasons, there is no better substrate than the original finish.  This is because it is very difficult to get the same surface adhesion to bare metal in a refinish situation.  That is not to say that a good job cannot be done when stripping a vehicle down to bare metal of painting new panels, its just not as easy.  In factory settings, most manufacturers 'dip' prime vehicle bodies, some use an electro-static system to improve adhesion. 

 

The paints by used by manufacturers are 'wet on wet' - one coat on top of another with no sanding between coats and the process is carried out in clinical conditions. Because of the type of paint used, this actually gives better adhesion than a sanded process. In a re-finish situation you are entirely reliant on the substrate being properly sanded and every nook and cranny being reached.

 

I've seen some absolutely fantastic looking finishes done in Thailand in very poor conditions and conversely, I've seen some very poor jobs turned out by main dealers.  Its down to the man, his preparation and the materials he uses. That said, there is no guarantee that the fantastic finshes I've seen will last, not chip easily or fade.

 

As for base and clear (clear coat) vs solid colour - if your car has a metallic, pearl or mica finish, they are only available in base and clear.  Manufacturers changed over to base and clear systems for solid colours many years ago for a number or reasons - but basically because its easier to achieve a good finish. A bonus is that they are more durable and less prone to fading in the sun.  Some paint manufacturers still offer a solid colour re-finish option which is obviously cheaper but does not offer the same protection.  There can also be a difference in tone under some light conditions - meaning that if a car's original finish is base and clear and a repaired panel is re-finished in a solid colour alternative, it is likely to look different. I would go for base and clear every time. However, the operator must know what he is doing.  The heat in Thailand means that the clear coat will need to be applied almost immediately - if not it will almost certainly flake and peel in the future.

 

(30 years in the motor trade, qualified apprentice trained paint sprayer, 5 years technical rep with Herberts Standox paints - OE. and refinish paint manufacturer).

 

 

 

Wow ! Really an expert !

So could you tell us what we can easily check when trying to respray a car in Thailand ?

What is the most important ? brand used to paint ? special cabin to paint ? what else ?

and do you have any address of a good place to paint a car in Thailand, anywhere ? thank you.

 

 

 

[stubuzz]

26 minutes ago, salsajapan said:

Wow ! Really an expert !

So could you tell us what we can easily check when trying to respray a car in Thailand ?

What is the most important ? brand used to paint ? special cabin to paint ? what else ?

and do you have any address of a good place to paint a car in Thailand, anywhere ? thank you.

The easiest think to do is ask to see an example of their work and judge the quality for yourself. Also, do not accept poor colour matches as any experienced painter will be able blend the paint leaving an invisible repair.

[alacrity]

On 1/18/2021 at 12:42 PM, l4ml4m said:

 

yes it's respray ? I of course do not want that anybody remove everything from the car before painting !

 

Opening post differs. However, I'm assuming you don't intend to have the whole body re-done.

 

A good finish isn't constricted to the skills of the guy laying the paint, or the paint itself. The paint finish will just mirror the surface it's laid on. Preparation and flatting of what's underneath is equally/if not more important. In addition, as you don't intend to remove too many parts, overspray and anomalies in many areas will be a dead giveaway of what you have done. Some may see that as an attempt to apply lipstick to a pig. Especially if you decide to sell it on.

 

Checking out a facility isn't easy. Some things to look out for include; the color of the walls, floor and mixing area, temperature and humidity control, dew filters on the compressors, clean spray guns and computerized color mixing.

 

Check out local body shops yourself and make your own judgement. After all, you know what you want. There's quite a few okay body shops around that give an adequate/good service which will meet (if not exceed) your expectations. You'll also be able to checkout the work 'in progress', before deciding.

[KhaoYai]

5 hours ago, salsajapan said:

Wow ! Really an expert !

So could you tell us what we can easily check when trying to respray a car in Thailand ?

What is the most important ? brand used to paint ? special cabin to paint ? what else ?

and do you have any address of a good place to paint a car in Thailand, anywhere ? thank you.

No need for sarcasm, I have given a professional opinion - this was my job for over 30 years. I think that places me in a good position to comment.  I know nothing about computers for example, so rely on those who do for advice.

Edited January 22, 2021 by KhaoYai