More in Paint, Color Matching and Finish →
When most people think of a body shop, they picture accident damage and insurance paperwork. That is most of what we handle at Mashore Autobody, and we are good at it. But a body shop worth its name does a lot more than accident repair. Our specialty is that we paint anything from a brand new car to an old faded golf cart, and a lot of that work has nothing to do with a crash. If your car's paint needs attention for any reason that has nothing to do with an accident, here is what is possible.
What brings people in for a cosmetic paint job
California sun is relentless on a car's finish. After several years of direct exposure, clear coat starts to fade or oxidize, and once that process starts it spreads fast. We see a lot of cars come in with chalky, dull paint that has nothing to do with any accident. The paint simply gave out. The owner wants the car to look right again.
Other common reasons for cosmetic paint work: a complete color change for a vehicle someone is keeping for another decade, a specialty vehicle like a golf cart or motorcycle that has not had any paint attention in years, or a car someone is preparing to sell and wants to present well. If your car's finish is embarrassing you in the parking lot, there is a straightforward fix for that.
Full repaints vs single-panel repaints
A full repaint covers every exterior panel. It makes sense when the whole car's paint is faded or peeling, when you want a completely different color, or when you are bringing an older vehicle back to a consistent finish. A single-panel repaint makes sense when the damage is isolated. One faded door or one quarter panel with peeling clear coat can be repainted and blended to match the rest of the car so the repair is invisible.
Before we recommend one approach over the other, we look at the whole car. Sometimes what looks like a problem in one spot turns out to be widespread. It is better to do the full job once than to repaint sections one at a time over three years. We tell you what we see before any work starts.
Color change repaints: what is involved
A color change is more involved than a same-color repaint. The existing paint has to be removed or completely prepped. Door jambs and interior edges get treated so the old color does not show through when a door is open. The new color goes on in even, consistent coats and gets sealed with clear coat. Done right, it looks like the car left the factory in the new color.
Color matching works differently for a full repaint versus a single-panel repair. For a full color change, every panel gets the new color in the same session, so panel-to-panel consistency is built in. For a single-panel repaint, we use your car's color code as a starting point and adjust for how much the surrounding panels have faded, so the fresh panel blends in under any light. The full process is in our article on how auto body paint color matching works.
Specialty vehicles: golf carts, motorcycles, and more
Specialty vehicles get the same quality we bring to any car in the shop. Golf carts are a frequent request in the Brentwood area. We have painted everything from a basic cart in a solid color to a detailed custom finish on a personal cart someone built out for style. Motorcycles and ATVs follow the same process. If it has a surface that holds paint, we work with it. More on what we handle is in our guide to specialty vehicle painting in Brentwood, CA.
The prep work that makes paint last
Good prep is where most paint jobs succeed or fall apart. We sand the surface to remove old clear coat or oxidized paint, address any small dings or imperfections in the panel, and apply primer that gives the new finish a solid surface to bond to. Rust gets addressed before any color goes on. If we find something under the old paint that changes the scope of the job, we tell you before we go further.
This is where the difference between a family-owned shop and a high-volume franchise shows up most clearly. A shop focused on throughput gets the car in and out as fast as possible. Our name is on the building. The paint job we hand back to you reflects that. The prep takes the time it takes, and the finish lasts longer because of it.
On the clear coat side, peeling is one of the most common things we see on California cars. We explain when it can be cut and polished versus when a repaint is necessary in our article on clear coat peeling and whether to repair or repaint.
Pre-sale paint work: is it worth it
A lot of people bring a car in before listing it for sale. A fresh single-panel touch-up or a clean repaint on a faded hood can improve the first impression a buyer gets. Whether the cost of the paint work is less than the improvement in sale price depends on the car, its condition, and the market. We give you an honest assessment on whether it makes sense for your situation, or whether you are better off pricing the car as-is. We do not push work that does not benefit you.
How long a cosmetic paint job takes
Timeline depends on the scope. A single-panel repaint can move fairly quickly once the materials are on hand. A full car repaint takes longer because every panel goes through the same prep, primer, color, and clear coat process, and each layer needs time to cure properly between applications. We give you a realistic estimate before we start and let you know if anything changes once the car is in the shop.
After the job is done, protecting the finish extends its life considerably. The California climate accelerates fade, and a quality wax or sealant applied regularly after the paint cures makes a real difference.
Frequently asked questions
Can you change the color of my car at a body shop?
Yes. A full color change involves removing or completely prepping the existing paint, treating the door jambs and interior edges so the old color does not show through, and applying the new color in consistent coats with a clear coat seal. We give you a free estimate that covers exactly what your specific vehicle involves.
How much does a cosmetic or custom paint job cost?
It depends on the scope of the work. A single-panel repaint is less involved than a full car repaint or a color change. Bring the car in and we will look at it and give you an honest estimate at no charge. We do not quote a number without seeing the vehicle first.
Can you paint a golf cart, motorcycle, or other specialty vehicle?
Yes. We paint specialty vehicles including golf carts, motorcycles, and ATVs. The same prep and finish standards apply regardless of the size of the vehicle. Contact us with what you have and we will let you know what is involved.
Is it worth repainting a car before selling it?
It depends on the car and the market. A fresh repaint can improve first impressions and potentially the sale price, but whether the cost of the paint work is less than the gain in sale value varies. We give you an honest assessment on your specific vehicle. Sometimes the better move is to price it as-is.
How long does car paint last after a body shop paint job?
With solid prep work and routine care, paint can last many years. The California climate is hard on clear coat, and a quality wax or sealant applied regularly after the paint cures extends the life considerably. The prep quality at the shop matters as much as what you do after.
Next step
If your car's paint has seen better days, bring it by. Mashore Autobody is family owned and operated in Brentwood, and we give honest assessments without pressure. We look at the paint, tell you what we see, and explain your options. Whether it is one faded door or a full color change on a vehicle you plan to keep for another decade, unmatched quality and unrivaled service is what you get every time.
Call us at 925-516-1930 or get directions to our Brentwood shop to schedule a free estimate. We have been doing this since 2006 and we stand behind every paint job we do.
Call (925) 516-1930 or stop by 44 Sycamore Ave, Suite A in Brentwood. Estimates are free. Read about our auto painting, how we work, or get directions and hours. We serve Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Discovery Bay and Byron.