A car’s paintwork is as integral as the chassis and any other part. It is the most noticeable thing for all types of vehicles, and keeping it in good condition is essential to enhancing overall aesthetics and durability.
With quality painting, your car’s appearance will be eye-catching. In addition, quality paint protects the car’s inner body from corrosion that causes rust while withstanding regular wear and tear. But how can you tell if a certain car paint is original and suitable for your car?
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of car paints available, all of which can alter the look and feel of your car. Whether the paint finish is matte, metallic, or pearlescence, it will be of no service if its’ quality is poor. It is, therefore, essential to cross-check the paint quality and ensure it is original.
Tips And Techniques To Check If Car Paint Is Original
We have put together this in-depth article that should help you establish if a car paint is original or not. Here is how to go about it:
Method 1: Examine VIN Plate
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a plate number that shows all the information about the car, including the make, model, and original paint color.
Depending on the model and make of the car, it is located on the dashboard, the door jamb on the driver’s seat, or under the hood.
Compare the car’s current color shade with that in its documentation. If it’s original, it will match that already in the documentation. On the other hand, if the color shade doesn’t match that in the VIN plate, it clearly shows that repainting was done and the original paint was not used.
When you are comparing information in the VIN plate, clean the area to remove dirt, dust and any other obstruction that can make it difficult to read. This way, you are able to take the correct readings that you are in need of.
Method 2: Paint Depth Gauge Readings
A paint depth gauge is a device that measures the distance between bare metal and the top clear coat. This determines the thickness of the paintwork.
You can also tell if the paint used on a car is original or not by taking paint depth gauge readings. Typically, aftermarket paint jobs tend to be thicker than OEM counterparts.
In the factories, the painting is done by machines that are dialed in to use the least volume of paint possible while still being effective. As a result, the manufacturer can cut down on production costs.
On the other hand, a car that is painted by hand will have more paint on it. The larger the volume of paint used, the higher the paint depth gauge reading will be. Furthermore, some cars have a body filler underneath every paint and it will have an impact on the readings that you take.
For this method, you will need a paint depth gauge, such as the M & A Instruments Paint Coating Thickness Gauge (Available on Amazon). If you don’t have one at your disposal, you can get one from a professional car detailer near you.
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Steps to Follow
- Prepare the inspection surface by cleaning the car with clean water and car washing soap.
- When all dirt and grime is removed, dry the car with a clean towel or microfiber cloth.
- Position the paint depth gauge against the clean surface. Ensure it is perpendicular to the surface from which you are taking measurements.
- Following the manufacturer’s instructions, take the reading of the surface you are testing.
- For accuracy, take the readings from different surfaces, including the panel edges and other high-impact areas.
- Compare the readings to those of the manufacturer’s specifications for your car.
- Original car paint will have consistent readings that show uniform thickness of the paintworks.
Method 3: Texture Inspection
When buying a second-hand car, texture inspection will help you determine whether the paint used on the car is original. Modern cars that leave the factory are painted with original, quality paint, and this can be established clearly by the consistent texturing.
On the other hand, using low-quality paint causes the car to have different textures. Some parts might be perfectly smooth, while others are uneven and rough.
Furthermore, a car with fake paint will show clearly with the fenders (or mudguard in Britain). In the case of counterfeit paint painted over the original, there is a high chance that the fender and the wheel well will have a lot of peeling or different coloration, but the rest of the car will be smooth.
Steps to Follow
When doing a texture inspection for car paint, here are the steps to follow:
- Wash the car with water and soap to remove dust and contaminants, then rinse and dry the car with a clean towel.
- Start with a visual inspection of the car. Look for any swirl marks, dullness, fading, or paint chips.
- Afterward, feel the paint by running your clean, dry hand on the paint surface. A car with fake paint will feel rough and uneven on most parts.
- Proceed to check the high-impact areas for paint damage. These areas include the front bumper, doors, and the hood, especially under it.
- Last but not least, examine the paintwork from different angles in varying lighting conditions. If original paint was used, there should be little to no defect visible in different lighting conditions.
Method 4: Color Shade Inspections
Another way to determine if the paint used on a car is original is to inspect for color shade inconsistencies. A vehicle that is painted with original, quality paint will have consistent color shades in all parts. On the other hand, inconsistent color shades are often a sign of fake paint.
Color shade inspection should be done in different lighting conditions. This is because a car might look perfect under direct sunlight but be completely off at night or in the shade. If the paint used is fake and of low quality, the car will end up with two different shades of paint.
You can use a Detailing Paint Inspection Lamp to identify paint and body repair defects in order to determine whether the car has been repainted or is an accident vehicle.
The lamp has three color temperatures of 2700K / 4500K /6500K and can replicate natural sunlight so that technicians can examine any imperfections and flaws in the vehicle’s paintwork and colors.
- This WL41C is a rechargeable powerful high CRI 93+, 500 lumen compact detiling inspection lamp. 3…
Steps to Follow
- Find a neutral location for the inspection. Ideally, an area with indirect sunlight is the best.
- Examine the car to look for color shade imperfections. When you are doing the examination, pay attention to any color differences across different surfaces and panels.
- In addition, you can use the detailing paint inspection lamp to check for any variations in texture and finish. A car painted with the original paint will have little to no variations in color, shade, texture, or finish.
- Finally, look for overspray. The presence of overspray in areas such as rubber gaskets, window seals, and trim pieces is a clear indication that repainting or touch-up work was done.
Method 5: Blend Marks Inspections
Last but not least, a blend mark inspection can show whether the paint used on a car is original or not. In some instances, painters tend to mix fresh paint with old and original paint to create a color similar to the original while cutting on cost.
Given that it’s a common practice, nothing is wrong with it. However, the blending process must be done properly. If done perfectly, you will probably not be able to differentiate it from the original paint.
The presence of blend marks shows that the original paint was not used or that the blending was not done correctly. These marks are sometimes difficult to spot in direct sunlight, and in many cases, they look like an overspray.
However, if you are keen, you should be able to spot the marks and know that the car has been repainted.
Steps to Follow
- Park the car in an area that has adequate lighting. Natural lighting or evenly distributed lighting is perfect for accurate blend marks identification.
- Before you start the inspection, clean the car to remove any dirt and contaminants that can interfere with your inspection process.
- Do a visual inspection of different parts of the car to see if there are any blend marks or imperfections
- At the panel edges, run your hand over the surface and feel if there are any subtle variations in the texture of the paint. If there are some variations, they could be a sight of blend marks.
- Shine a bright light source, like a headlamp, on that area. If there are any irregularities, the light will create shadows or an imperfect light glare.
- If you want to do a closer examination, use a magnifying glass. It will show you the blend marks more clearly and any other imperfections as well.
FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions on how to tell if car paint is original:
- Is Body Shop paint as good as factory paint?
No matter the type or quality a body shop paint is used on a car, it will never be as good as that of the original factory paint.
First, it will never be able to match the factory’s application process, which is important in determining the overall durability and appearance.
Furthermore, problems can arise in the auto body shop during the repainting process therefore affecting the overall look as performance.
- How long does factory paint last on a car?
The lifespan of factory paint varies greatly between cars, depending on the brand and model. In most modern vehicles, however, factory paint can last up to 15 years with proper care and maintenance.
- How often should I repaint my car?
Most manufacturers prescribe car repainting after every 5 to 10 years. This is especially the case if you hardly wax the car. With regular repainting, you will be able to give the car a distinctive look and protect it from regular wear and tear.
Conclusion
When a car is repainted, its resale value is substantially affected. However, if repainting is necessary, the painter must use the original paint to achieve a perfect finish.
If you fail to do so, the car will end up with unsightly marks that will not only affect its look but also make it hard to sell.
If you are looking to buy a second-hand car, ensure that you inspect every aspect of the vehicle keenly, including the paintwork using the simple yet effective methods discussed in this article.
Last update on 2025-01-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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