How to Choose the Perfect Car Color

Understanding the Impact of Car Colour

Colour is mostly a matter of taste, but it can make a difference when you come to sell the car, and it affects how quickly dirt and fine scratches show.

Black, white and grey are common choices, and a common colour may appeal to more buyers later. Dark colours show dirt and fine scratches sooner, so they can need washing more often, and swirl marks may in time need scratch removal.

The Psychology of Colour in Automotive Design

What a colour says about a car is down to the person looking at it. A bright red catches the eye, while silver and grey draw less attention, so think about how much you want the car to stand out.

Technical Aspects of Car Colour Selection

At our Coventry workshop we follow the paint maker's and the vehicle maker's methods when a new colour goes on.

The products in one paint system are made to be used together, so it makes sense to keep to the products of one system. Blending fades new paint into the panel next to it, which makes a join harder to see. How the lacquer is applied, and how long the paint is left to cure, affect both the finish and how long it lasts.

Colour Matching and Customisation

On a repair, new paint sits right next to the old, so we mix paint to the manufacturer's paint code and check the colour with a spectrophotometer.

The paint code gives the factory colour, but one code can cover slightly different shades, and years of sun and weather fade paint, so the mix may need adjusting to match an older car. If you choose a custom colour, ask how it would be matched if a panel needs repairing later.

Maintenance and Longevity of Car Colours

Regular washing removes dirt and grime before they can damage the paint, and a wax, sealant or coating adds a layer of protection on top.

A scratch that goes through to bare metal can start to rust, so it is worth putting right with a paint touch-up before the rust takes hold.

Cost Considerations for Car Colour Changes

Painting the whole car a new colour is a full respray, which is a much bigger job than repairing a panel. We give a written, itemised estimate for full body resprays and colour changes.

Metallic and pearlescent paints are typically more expensive than solid colours, and they can take longer to apply evenly. If the car needs repairs before the new colour goes on, they are included in the estimate.

Legal and Insurance Implications of Colour Changes

In the UK, a colour change also means paperwork. GOV.UK lists colour as one of the changes you must report to the DVLA, so your V5C log book shows the new colour.

Tell your insurer too, ideally before the work starts, as an undeclared change could affect your cover. If you want a colour change during accident repairs, ask your insurer whether that change is included in the agreed work.

Making the Final Decision: Expert Advice

Choose a colour you will still like in a few years, and think about how often you are willing to clean the car.

If you are planning a colour change, contact the workshop for a written, itemised estimate. If you only need a scuff or a small dent put right, see our SMART repairs.