Expert: Michael Kakuk - 12/14/2009

Question
ok, i went to a body shop to get my car repaired. he told me verbally that he'd prime the entire time and included it on the estimate. when i went to pick it up only the repaired places had been primed(we agreed to paint it on a later date due to my finances). he told me on that date that it didn't need to be primed, even though i was changing the color. he said he could do something and paint on the other paint. In your professional opinion when changing a car's paint color, do you need to have the whole car primed?

Answer
PHILLIP.....IF HE PRIMED OVER THE REPAIRED AREAS AND THAT IS ALL YOU PAID FOR THEN THAT IS OK.
IF THE EXISTING PAINT IS IS GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE THE NORMAL PROCESS IS TO SAND AND THEN SPRAY A SEALER
ON THE EXISTING PAINT AND THEN APPLY THE NEW COLOR. THE PURPOSE OF THE SEALER IS TO PROVIDE A GOOD ADHESIVE BASE FOR THE TOPCOAT.

YOU CAN SAND THE EXISTING PAINT AND APPLY COLOR OVER IT......MY ONLY CONCERN WOULD BE TO GET A WRITTEN WARRANTY FROM THE REPAIR SHOP....THAT WAY YOUR COVERED.


GOOD LUCK