What is the best paint for cars? If you own or work in an auto shop, you may be considering changing to a new brand of paint, or at least using it on some of your customers’ cars (or even as your primary brand).
Before you do so, though, you need to consider several factors that will help you determine which car paint is best for your needs.
Here are just a few things you should take into account before making your decision.
Which Type of Paint Do I Need
There are many different types of paint, but most people don’t think about which type they need until they start shopping around.
When you’re planning on having your car painted, there are a few things you should consider first.
That way, you can find a shop that will do your car justice and have it looking perfect in no time. Here are some of the most common types of automotive paints and their uses:
Best Materials For Cars and Body Work
Choosing a material that best suits your needs can oftentimes come down to cost and personal preference.
From a financial standpoint, fiberglass will prove more economical than even top-tier materials like carbon fiber.
And then there’s an aesthetic appeal; how it looks on your vehicle (or in your living room) might not matter as much as how it feels in your hands while you work with it.
Get ready because we’re going to dive into ten of our favorite brands of automotive paints and coatings. We didn’t include all but only selected from each category.
Read also: Best Place to Buy a Car in California
Things To Avoid When Choosing Paint
The top 10 automotive paint brands are a good place to start but there are many other things that you should consider before choosing. Unfortunately, not every brand has highly reputed products.
Among these considerations are undercoatings, top coats, viscosity, and clearcoat which should give your vehicle more than enough protection against weathering and oxidation and they’ll ensure your vehicle will last longer as well as provide better resale value.
Painting A Car, Is It Really That Hard?
A common question asked by many automobile owners out there is, Is it really that hard? of course not. So don’t think that painting a car means you have to be an expert painter or mechanic. With proper tools and prep work, auto painters can tackle just about any job.
And if you do your homework before heading out to buy your equipment, such as choosing your favorite automotive paint brands, chances are you’ll end up having a better experience and save yourself some time along the way.
Keep reading below where we’ve broken down everything you need to know about painting a car with the top 10 automotive paint brands in 2022 reviewed by top experts.
Top 10 Automotive Paint Brands: Best Paint for Cars
When you’re in the market for new car paint, it can be difficult to know which brands to trust.
There are dozens of automotive paint brands on the market, and they all make big promises about their coatings, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed and confused by all the choices.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most important factors that influence automotive paint quality, as well as our picks for the best automotive paint brands available today.
PPG Proluxe Deck Stain Colors
Considered one of the best paint for cars, PPG paints have been used in car manufacturing processes since 1909.
With a four-step process, these paints help turn plastic components into vehicles capable of traveling at speeds of well over 100 miles per hour.
PPG also offers specialty paints that can be applied to kitchen countertops and bathroom tiles, allowing homeowners to apply a new coat whenever they want to change up their decor.
Sherwin Williams Paint Colors
Best Paint For Cars – Best brands of auto paint, which are both inexpensive and will leave your car looking new.
Easily do it yourself with free shipping on orders over $50. Browse all automotive painting supplies, including automotive primer and the best acrylic latex paint.
Sherwin Williams is one of our top picks when it comes to painting your car because they have some of the best products out there that are easy to use and they come in a wide range of colors.
Get started today! Our company has a huge selection at cheap prices, so you can find everything you need right here!
We pride ourselves on fast delivery too, so you can get what you need and get back to work as soon as possible.
Read also: Best Paint for Car Interior Plastic
Speedokote High Gloss Jet Black
This is a particularly good paint brand if you want a vehicle with a jet black, gloss white car paint finish. The paint looks very professional, and it’s easy to apply. It can also stand up well to abuse rocks, road debris, and sand.
Best of all, you don’t have to take your car through an expensive process in order to get it painted, simply cover your car with a tarp before spraying it with Speedokote High Gloss Jet Black automotive paint.
You can then touch up any areas that need repainting after your initial spray job dries. Overall, many people choose Speedokote High Gloss Jet Black because it provides an even surface that looks great on cars, and leaves them looking great for years to come.
High Gloss Bright White 2K Acrylic Urethane
When you want a sleek, glossy finish on your vehicle, use High Gloss Bright White 2K Acrylic Urethane.
This paint is designed to produce a high-quality coating that’s easy to apply and withstands everyday wear and tear.
It also delivers bright white color and has anti-microbial properties to help repel bacteria from developing on your vehicle’s exterior.
Use it with your DIY project or professional installation at home or in a body shop. Plus, it comes with an attractive price tag.
You won’t find a better automotive paint brand or any other type of top-of-the-line paint, at such an affordable price point.
Read also: How to Paint a Car Professionally
POR-15 Gloss Black
The first item on our list is a family of high-quality paints designed specifically to provide great coverage and a glossy finish.
Unlike some paints that look good on delivery but lose their luster over time, POR-15 products are known to perform well even after years of wear and tear.
For best results, these products should be applied over bare metal, though some POR-15 products can be used with a rust converter and primer if you don’t have enough bare metal to work with.
No matter which product you use, you’ll end up with an easy-to-maintain finish thanks to a specially formulated sealer that resists scratches and corrosion.
SpeedoKote SMR-210/211
A good automotive paint brand that produces a high-quality finish is SpeedoKote. Its SMR-210/211 paint is specially formulated to provide excellent rust and corrosion protection and also resists chipping, peeling, fading, and cracking.
This paint can be applied to any part of your car that needs a fresh coat including doors, roofs, fenders, bumpers, chassis components, and body panels.
The coating system applies smoothly and adheres strongly for improved durability and has superior flexibility to maintain its shape in challenging weather conditions.
This can last up to 7 years with proper maintenance depending on your application. The cost of a gallon is around $35-$60 but it’s well worth it! Just ensure you apply two coats!
Dupli-Color BTY1556 Super White II
This is a two-pack automotive paint brand, that allows you to best paint for cars in an uninterrupted manner. The primary color is white and it’s best used on cars and trucks.
On most vehicles, you’ll only need to apply one coat of paint. With other brands, you may need three or four coats to achieve a similar result.
Because it’s so simple to use (just mix it with water), Dupli-Color Super White II also has an odor-free formula.
Spray Max 2K
While there are hundreds of automotive paint brands, Spray Max 2K has been recognized as one of the best paints for cars.
It is designed to make sure that any project can be completed at an affordable price and with a high-quality finish.
It can be used on just about any surface area and provides a durable film that resists chipping, cracking, flaking, or peeling.
It has all-weather durability which makes it ideal in climates where snow and ice are common. The specific formula helps ensure a consistent finish every time you spray it.
There is no need to prime first or clean up with solvent afterward either, making it easier than ever to get perfect results with minimal effort or cost.
ACDelco GM Original Equipment 19354941 Summit White
This is a classic car paint with a classic name. It is manufactured by ACDelco and comes in an original equipment formula with OEM colors and availability from 1935 to 1991 model years.
The best part of all about it, is you don’t need to be a GM owner to use it, but of course, if you own any GM vehicles you should use OEM paint on them as well as all replacement parts.
Using only top-of-the-line materials, ACDelco gives every piece of their automotive paint that extra touch no other brand can offer.
Their environmentally friendly paint contains fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds) than comparable leading brands on the market today without sacrificing quality or performance.
Dupli-Color – FP101 Scratch Filler& Primer Gray
This product is an all-in-one formulation that works to repair scratches on your vehicle’s finish while also working as a primer so you can apply a fresh coat of paint over it.
It comes in gray, which means it matches most car finishes. We recommend applying two coats of FP101 to ensure you get proper coverage and also protect against future scratching.
The other great thing about Dupli-Color products is that they’re affordable, making them one of our favorite brands for beginners and professionals alike.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint My Car?
This can vary based on a number of factors, but generally, it will cost between $500 and $2000 to have your car professionally painted. If you are thinking about painting your car yourself, there are many supplies you will need, including a compressor and an airbrush.
You may also want to purchase an automotive paint code book or research online for color-matching advice; it’s important that whatever color you choose will look good with your vehicle’s current finish.
Do not underestimate how much work goes into painting a car by yourself. However, if you want results like those pictured above, it might be worth spending some time learning how to do it properly before tackling such a large project.
How Can I Make My Paint Last Longer
Often, a beautiful car’s life span on the road can be reduced by poor quality products used in its construction.
To preserve your vehicle’s fresh new look and optimal functioning, it’s important to know how you can make your paint last longer.
The tips below will help you do just that and extend your vehicle’s lifespan, allowing you to save money on long-term maintenance and repair costs.
They should also reduce or eliminate any unexpected deterioration of your paint job over time.
How Long Will The Paint Last?
Paint jobs can last quite a long time if done correctly. The longevity of your car’s finish depends on several different things, however.
First, you want to ensure that your car was painted by a professional, there’s nothing more disappointing than spending hundreds of dollars on a beautiful car and then seeing it start peeling or fading just months later.
If your vehicle was painted by an expert, keep in mind that color and design are also important, for example, darker colors will fade faster in sunlight.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s important to keep in mind that automotive paint has a purpose. No matter what brand of paint you choose, your car’s finish is meant to protect its metal from rust, wear and tear, and weathering.
Of course, if your vehicle is new or garage-kept, then it won’t be exposed to these elements as often as an older model or one that spends lots of time on roads with potholes or in parking lots where cars are constantly being driven over it (and dust kicks up).
When deciding which automotive paint brands are best for you, think about how often your car will be exposed to these more aggressive situations.