Painting an automotive vehicle is a challenging and multistep process. It includes surface preparation, applying four to six layers of paint, and making sure each layer is the optimal thickness. If one of the layers is not sprayed correctly, it affects the finish of the car both aesthetically and functionally when exposed to the elements.
A complete paint job on a car usually has four to six layers of paint. These layers include electroplating, a primer, a base-color coat, and a clear coat, on a metal substrate. Some colors have an additional layer of paint (mica) to act as a wear protectant. The primer is designed to make the surface uniform so the paint color can be applied evenly. The base color is the actual car color, and the clear coat is an optically clear layer designed to protect the base color from environmental damages such as UV-degradation and oxidation.