How We Respray a Car: Our Step-by-Step Process
A great respray is about far more than the colour. Most of the work happens before any paint is sprayed, and that’s what separates a finish that lasts from one that peels within a year. Here’s how we respray a car at our workshops in Bukit Merah and Kaki Bukit, step by step, so you know exactly what you’re paying for when you choose Singapore car spray paint done properly.
1. Inspection and quote
Every job starts with a close look at the car under good light. We check for:
- dents, dings and creases;
- scratches, stone chips and kerb damage;
- faded, oxidised or peeling clear coat;
- rust spots and old repairs that may need redoing.
We then agree the scope with you (full respray, colour change or panel repair) and give you a clear quote.
2. Washing and decontamination
The car is thoroughly washed and degreased. Wax, silicone, tar and road grime are removed, because any contamination left on the surface can cause the new paint to fail or show defects called “fish eyes”.
3. Disassembly and masking
Lights, badges, trim and handles are removed where practical. Everything else that shouldn’t be painted (glass, rubber seals, wheels, the engine bay) is carefully masked. Good masking gives crisp edges and means no overspray where it doesn’t belong.
4. Body repair and sanding
This is the most important stage of any respray:
- Dents are corrected so every panel is straight.
- Damaged or failing paint is sanded back, and scratches that reach the metal are treated.
- Filler is applied only where needed, then shaped and sanded smooth.
- Sound paint is scuff-sanded so the new layers have something to grip.
5. Primer
Primer goes over repaired and bare areas to protect the metal, seal any filler and create an even base. It’s then block-sanded smooth. On light or bright colours such as yellow, the right primer is essential for a rich, even colour.
6. Colour matching
For panel repairs, the colour has to match the rest of your car exactly. We start with your car’s paint code, then adjust the mix to match the paint as it looks today, since every car fades slightly with age. For colour changes, we help you choose from solid, metallic, pearl and satin finishes.
7. Base coat in the spray booth
The car moves into our dust-controlled spray booth. The base coat (the colour) is applied in several even coats, with time between each one to flash off. With metallic and pearl colours, consistent technique is critical so the flakes lie evenly and no panel looks patchy.
8. Clear coat
Clear coat goes over the base coat. It gives the paint its gloss and depth, and protects the colour from UV, rain and bird droppings, which matters a lot under Singapore’s sun.
9. Baking
The booth is heated to bake and cure the paint. Baking hardens the finish faster and more evenly than air drying, giving a durable surface that’s ready for handling sooner.
10. Polishing, reassembly and final check
After curing, any small dust nibs are removed and the paint is polished to a smooth, even gloss. Trim, lights and badges go back on, and the whole car is inspected panel by panel under strong light before handover.
Aftercare
We’ll tell you when it’s safe to wash, wax or ceramic coat your new paint. In the meantime, hand wash gently, avoid automatic car washes, and remove bird droppings as soon as you see them. Our car respray FAQs have more aftercare tips.
How this compares with a factory finish
Car makers paint bare metal bodies on robotic production lines. A workshop respray works on a finished car. Read how cars are painted in the factory and factory paint vs a respray to understand the difference.
Get a free quote
Full car resprays start from $1,800, bumper repair and spray from $250, scratch and dent repair from $300, and touch-ups from $200. WhatsApp us a photo of your car, or request a free quote.