Quick Facts about Painting and Refinishing:

• The exact colour of paint has to be selected
• The vehicle is carefully cleaned and degreased
• Any part not being painted is covered with protective plastic and tape
• It is brought into a painting booth with controlled ventilation and temperature
• It is spray-painted multiple times, and then covered in a clear, protective layer
• The paint is dried either by air and time, or by heat

The first step in painting and refinishing a vehicle that is being repaired is to select the exact colour of paint. There are a few common ways of doing this, ranging from comparing the paint on the vehicle to a sample of dried paint, to doing the same with the help of computerized databases and a tool that emulates direct sunlight, to using a special camera that digitally scans and identifies an exact colour match. After that, the vehicle is prepared, which involves cleaning and degreasing every part that needs to be painted, and covering everything else up with protective plastic and tape.

After that, the exact colour tone is mixed together using the data collected earlier, and the vehicle is brought into a painting booth. The booth generally has very controlled temperature and ventilation in order to keep the air clear, and the vehicle is ensured to be free of dust. Next, the car is spray-painted in multiple thin layers, double checked for colour matching, and covered in a clear, protective coat to seal the paint. Finally, paint is allowed to dry, or cured in a heated booth.