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Unfortunately though paintwork fades with time, the sparkle and the shine disappear as the ravages of nature take their toll and the minute it rolls off the showroom floor, the dents and scratches start happening. All these things not only detract from the appearance of the vehicle, they also reduce its value.

Whilst 90% of paintjobs performed by auto repair shops are done to restore faded paintwork, there are various other reasons why car owners opt, or need, to have a paint-job done. Repairs after accidents, mending dents and scratches, covering rust damage, customized artwork and decorations or a complete colour change are amongst the most common.

Factors To Consider When Determining The Cost Of Painting A Car

Restoring your car’s exterior to its original pristine, sparkling glory can be an expensive undertaking though. Or it can start out as a relatively cheap exercise that ends up expensive when the cheap paint and poor workmanship of an ‘el cheapo’ paint job require fixing. The choice is entirely yours.

Top Of The Range Specialist PaintJobs

Paint jobs generally fall into one of three categories. At the top end of the scale are the very expensive, but first rate ones. Done by highly experienced professionals using good quality commercial equipment and top of the range, expensive paint like House of Kolor or SEM, these speciality paintjobs are likely to cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. The paint alone can set you back several hundred dollars per quart! Included in this category are highly specialist paint jobs like two toned metallic paintwork and fancy airbrush artwork.

Middle Of The Road Paint Jobs

In the middle of the road, cost wise, are the paint jobs most people opt for if they’re simply in the market for good quality work using reliable, quality paint that will withstand most normal wear and tear. They’re looking for cost effectiveness but not necessarily at the expense of quality.

Most reputable auto body shops will fall into this middle range category. They use good to top quality paint depending on customer specifications and employ good practice methods to ensure top quality work. This guarantees their customers will drive away with a top-notch paint job that did not cost them the earth.

The paint generally used in this bracket of paint job would likely include some of the economical Sherwin Williams range or Trinity 1945. These are lower priced but still excellent quality paints that produce good quality, durable results at reasonable cost. For customers wanting more upmarket work they may use slightly more expensive paint brands like PPG, Diamont and DuPont. All these paint brands, and many others like them, are highly regarded in the industry because they’re durable, long lasting and easy to use as well as economically priced.

Cost wise, you can expect a paint job in this middle range to set you back between $1,000 to $5,000 depending on paint quality, work involved, vehicle type and any customisations you may want.

Bargain Basement Paint Jobs

At the bottom end of the scale are the very cheap paint-jobs. Often for just a mere outlay of between $250 and $500 for a complete car repaint you can drive away with a freshly painted car but it will probably end up costing you a lot more in the long run. These paint jobs usually use very cheap, inferior quality paint and may not always have professional, skilled personnel applying it. However, for simple paint jobs or a quick face-lift prior to selling the vehicle, this may be quite adequate. There are paint shops around that will do a decent job regardless and you certainly can’t argue with the price.

So there you have it – the pros and cons you need to consider when looking at the cost of painting a car. Unless you need a quick job done because you’re planning on selling the vehicle straight away and just want it looking ‘nice’ until it leaves your possession (questionable ethically) you will be better off long term spending a bit more on a middle of the road or high end paint job. It will last longer and probably look better as well.

Houston, TX, October 28, 2015 –(PR.com)– A new, Do-it-Yourself Auto Paint Shop is officially opened for business and its main objective is to save you money. My Paint Shop is located at 13311 Dunlap St. Ste. C, 77085 near South Main and Hillcroft in Houston, Texas. It’s the ultimate solution for those who want to paint their vehicle themselves but they just don’t have the proper space or equipment. Sometimes getting your car painted can be expensive and a long process at a body shop. At My Paint Shop you can prep, paint and dry your car in as little as 2 days. It’s a DIY business where you can bring in your own materials and your own painter.

The idea came when Co-Owner, Lynn Jones had a fender bender with an uninsured motorist. She needed some simple paint and body work done on her car but only had liability insurance. The uninsured motorist didn’t pay for the damages and when she called around to different body shops the prices were too high. “I was able to get my parts, but I needed a painter, says Lynn. The concept of My Paint Shop was launched in April 2015. Co-Owners Lynn Jones and Sam Burnett Jr. strongly feel that this is a much needed innovation for the city of Houston and they hope to expand soon. My Paint Shop helps the painter/entrepreneur cut out the high overhead costs. “Just think of My Paint Shop as your paint shop. There are talented auto painters all over this city that can use our paint booth to generate their own income,” says co-owner, Sam Burnett Jr.

An individual can rent the paint booth for as little as $25 per hour and as much as $125/day. “It should not have to cost an arm and a leg to paint your car,” says co-owner Lynn Jones. With the booth rental you get access to a 60 gallon compressor, hose lines, and a well lit, clean, paint booth. The paint booth is available Monday–Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm, with flexible late hours, if needed. The renter just needs a spray gun, paint/prep materials and a painter. If you don’t have a painter, My Paint Shop can provide one for you.

My Paint Shop has booth space that is able to accommodate all makes and models including trucks, trailers and motorcycles. Reservations are recommended at least 24-48 hours before rental space is needed. My Paint Shop can also be reached via the internet at mypaintshophouston.com

The wheels of your car are extremely important and are what keep you on the road. They not only promise a smooth drive and enhanced performance, but also improve the appearance of the car. However, you cannot save your good looking wheels from a number of damages, including discoloration.

The “Ugly” Patches

With time and use, whitish and yellow spots often develop on car wheels. These discoloration spots rob the wheels of their original glory.

However, what is the solution to fix the discoloration of alloy disc? Do you need an expensive painting job? Do you need full replacement of the wheels? Or is there any other viable solution?

Today’s alloy wheels are primed, painted and then clear coated for additional protection. So, paint touch-ups for discoloration are not the answer to the “ugly” spots.

Getting Rid of the Spots

Here are some facts about discoloration of alloy wheels and how you can fix it.

Oxidation: Discoloration on ring can be a result of oxidation. These are made from aluminum, which does not rust. However, dirt and dust tend to get collected on these wheels. Sometimes certain chemicals or materials react with oxygen molecules and cause oxidation, which leads to discoloration.

Oxidation can be reversed with an acid cleaner, which counteracts the oxidation process. As the rings are clear coated after painting, it is essential to remove the coating before treating the wheels with the acid cleaner. The coating can be easily removed with paint remover. However, remember to clean the paint remover thoroughly before using the acid cleaner. You can use acid cleaners made at home or reputed products available in the market. After using the acid cleaner, rinse the wheels well; and dry them completely before installing them on the car again.

However, if this technique fails to work, you can use a stronger cleaner to get rid of the ugly spots. After thorough cleaning, follow up the process with a fine glaze and then wax the rings for shiny, like-new appearance.

At the Garage: A whitish discoloration on the wheels is not uncommon. However, this often happens when a person at the mechanics garage uses acids and cleaners to clean the wheels and tires. Yes, acids remove the dirt rapidly, but sometimes attack the clear coating with a cloudy, dull appearance.

The solution to this kind of discoloration is using a paint glaze on the wheels to get rid of the cloudy appearance. However, remember to clean the wheels thoroughly before using the paint glaze. Moreover, use a soft cloth for application to avoid any scratches or damage.

Alloy Wheel repair specialists can easily take care of the damage caused by discoloration, without the need for replacement.

However, if none of the above can solve the problem of discoloration, then re-painting would be the solution. The alloy wheel repair specialist will advise accordingly. However, whether the surface of the wheel is pitted or the paint has worn off in patches, then a paint touch-up will only cause further damage. Always remove the coating and the paint before re-painting is done.

Whatever the problem, discoloration of wheels can be easily solved.