Summer is here, and as Albertans get ready to enjoy road trip season to the fullest, it’s essential to know how to care for your paint job and keep your vehicle looking its best. From paint chips to collisions and pet projects (who doesn’t love a fresh rebuild!) and more, Central Alberta Paint & Supplies (CAPS) is here to make sure you have access to the right tools and paint supplies to keep your ride looking fresh and ready to tackle the road.
Whether you’re looking to touch up, redo, or create, below are a few things to keep in mind when buying auto paint. Read on to learn more!
Exploring Types of Automotive Paint
Before you buy, it’s important to be aware of the many different types of paint available on the market and to know that each kind of paint has best-suited applications. The core types of automotive paint you’ll find in Canada, both online and in-store include:
Acrylic Lacquer
Glossy and eye catching, acrylic lacquer paint is a go-to for those looking to complete classic car restorations, dress up their show vehicle, or highlight a custom build that benefits from a glossy, reflective look. Acrylic lacqueur is also beneficial for quick repairs and “touch-ups” on minor scratches or dings due to it’s ability to blend seamlessly with original paint jobs.
Acrylic Enamel
Acrylic enamel offers a similar glossy finish to lacquer but is a harder compound known for its durability and resilience. Enamel is suitable for touch ups and full repaints and resists chipping, fading, and wear, giving your professional or DIY paint job plenty of longevity.
Urethane
Urethane is well known for its exceptional durability, particularly its ability to resist chips and fading, as well as stand up to Alberta’s tough weather conditions all year round. Urethane delivers a professional quality finish and is able to cure to hard surfaces with ease for a showroom worthy finish.
Water-Based Paints
Eco-friendly and increasingly popular due to regulations, water-based paints offer a lower level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a wide range of colours and hues, as well as easy cleanup and application, making them great for both professional and DIY purposes.
Climate Considerations
Albertans know all too well that Canada’s weather patterns can be tough on paint jobs, and the Red Deer region is no exception. Ensuring that your paint job can withstand harsh winters, road salt, and hotter summers is crucial to keeping your finished product looking its best for longer and maximizing your ROI. Keep this in mind when choosing your paint compound, and be aware that even the toughest of paints will likely need touchups in time due to adverse conditions.
Colour Selection
It should come as no surprise that the right paint selection should provide a perfect colour match or act as your desired contrast piece if you’re doing detailing or aesthetic repair. Look up your vehicle’s specific paint code (never assume it’s one universal shade), consider how changing the colour of your vehicle (if doing a rebuild or major overhaul) may affect your resale value, and be aware that bolder colours often require more maintenance as they fade faster and are more susceptible to showing wear and tear.
Quality of Paint
Investing in high-quality paint ensures a better finish and longer-lasting results. While DIY car enthusiasts are often swayed by cheaper prices, this is one area where it’s important to be aware that, unfortunately, suspiciously lower prices often mean lower quality that will require constant touch-ups or the potential for a complete redo.
Application Method
Just like it’s important to consider the quality of your paint, it’s arguably even more important to consider your application method. While minor jobs like small chips or scratches can often easily be done at home, larger or more complex jobs typically benefit from professional application done by those with experience and access to the right tools like spray guns, sanders, and more.
Find the Best Paint for Your Vehicle at CAPS
Finding the right fit for your auto job doesn’t have to be challenge! At CAPS, we’re committed to providing top-quality automotive paints and expert advice to help you make the best choice. Whether you’re handling a minor touch-up or a complete repaint, our wide range of products has you covered.
Visit us in store in Edmonton or Red Deer, shop online, or contact us directly today to learn more!