News & Advice

Repainting a car can both increase and decrease its value depending on several factors, including the quality of the paint job, the reason for repainting, and the type of vehicle.

Here’s how repainting can affect a car’s value…

When Repainting Can Increase Value

• High-Quality Paint Job – A professional and high-quality repaint can increase a vehicle’s value, especially if the original paint was faded, scratched, or peeling. A fresh coat of paint can make an older car look new again.
• Restoration Projects – For classic or collector cars, a professional repaint that is true to the original color and specifications can significantly increase the vehicle’s value.
• Correcting Factory Defects – Repainting a car to correct factory paint defects or to repair damage from accidents can also preserve or enhance its value, provided the work is done professionally.

When Repainting May Decrease Value

• Changing Original Color – For classic or collector cars, changing the car’s color from the original can drastically reduce its value, as originality is often prized among collectors.
• Poor Quality Paint Job – A paint job that is of poor quality, shows signs of overspray, drips, or does not have a uniform finish, can detract from the car’s value. Buyers may also be concerned about what the new paint might be hiding, such as rust or accident damage.
• Mismatched Paint – Repainting only part of a car (such as a single panel) that doesn’t exactly match the rest of the vehicle can also reduce its appeal and value.

Considerations

• Market Preferences – Some markets may value certain colors more than others. Repainting a vehicle in a color that is highly sought after in your market could potentially increase its value.
• Documentation – Keeping detailed records of the repaint, including the reason for the repaint, the process followed, and the quality of materials used, can help mitigate any negative impact on the car’s value. This documentation can assure potential buyers of the paint job’s quality and purpose.

Conclusion

Whether repainting a car devalues it or not largely depends on the circumstances surrounding the repaint and the vehicle itself. A high-quality repaint done for the right reasons can preserve or even increase a vehicle’s value, especially if it improves its appearance or restores its original look. Unnecessary color changes, poor quality work, and incomplete jobs can indeed lead to a decrease in value.