Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long before I can use the car?

A: In most cases the car can be driven within the hour depending upon the weather conditions and the area that has been repaired. If you have a long country drive planned, it may be best to allow 48 hours as stones and insects can damage the fresh paint work. Otherwise the car can be washed within 24 hours. Polishing of the refinished paintwork should not be carried out for approximately one month after the repair.

Q: How do you get the right paint colour?

A: Most cars have a paint code somewhere on the car. This code identifies the colour and gives the formula so the paint can be mixed. Sometimes due to the different manufacturing techniques in some countries, there can be 5-10 variants of the same colour. Each variant will have a different formula, sometimes using completely different tinters (pigments). The unique Vehicle Identification Number and the year of manufacture are often helpful in pinpointing the exact colour. With the system used by VIP Car Care Auto Paint Repairs, we are able to mix over 80,000 different colours. Once the exact formula is identified, the tinters are selected and using precise scales capable of measuring to one hundredth of a gram, are mixed and then checked against the vehicle’s existing paintwork. Due to ultra violet light and other natural factors, the colour of the car paint does change in time. Depending on the age of the car and condition of the paint, some cutting and polishing of the area may be necessary to restore the car’s paintwork to close to the original colour. This change of colour is generally not uniform over the entire bodywork of the car. In most cases the horizontal surfaces will “fade” and oxidize, while the vertical surfaces will maintain their original colour. As a result, it may be necessary to test and adjust the colour of the mixed pigments prior to painting the repaired area.

Q: Will I be able to see the repair?

A: Generally, it will require a very close examination to detect that the area has been repaired. It will depend on which area has been affected and how badly the area has been damaged. Because we only paint part panels, our colour matching will be equal to and in many cases, better than that carried out by most panel shops. We endeavor to keep the area to be repainted to a minimum, thus reducing the need to blend other panels. This allows us to keep our charges to a minimum.
Plastic parts sometimes have a grained finish which is difficult to reproduce. However, the alternative is a replacement bumper costing hundreds of dollars more. Even most brand new replacement bumpers don’t come from the factory coloured. They require painting at the panel shop.
Plastic parts painted from the same can of paint, can appear to be a different colour due to a reaction between the type of plastic used and the paint. This occurs even if they are primed with the recommended sealer. Metallic paints can be affected by any static charge that aligns the fine metallic particles.
This will give the appearance of a different colour. Many high performance cars such as HSV and FPV vehicles have there bumpers and body painted outside the factory using a completely different batch and type of paint.
Depending upon the colour, under certain lights differences can be seen, even when the car is new. If you check on the internet, you will see this also applies to many different overseas models as well, including Honda, Audi and Lexus.

Q: What about if I have a deep scuff?

A: Depending on the damage most bumper scuffs are repairable. The damaged area is cleaned and major dents reduced as much as possible. Sanding to smooth the area is often necessary. Then special flexible two part fillers are used to fill the deeper gouges. The area is then smoothed to its original contour, primed and once dry; the tinted base coat is applied. A fast drying clear coat is then blended to give a finish that from here on can be treated exactly the same as the factory finish. This is touch dry within 10 minutes.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The exact cost of a repair is difficult to quote until we have assessed the damage to the vehicle. In some cases what looks like a major repair can easily be fixed, whilst others require much further work. We normally quote on the repair only after our operator has been onsite and proceed once the approval has been given by the owner. It is difficult to give accurate quotes without seeing the damage. However, some owners email photos and are given a quotation that is verified then on site. If you wish to email photos please email us at vic@vipcarcare.com. We will more than happy to send you a quotation.