Your Buying Guide to Automotive Car Paints & Top 12 Picks!

Automotive paints are paint used on automobiles for both protection and decoration purposes. Modern automobile paint is applied in many layers, with a total thickness of around 0.1mm.  From redecorating to touching up dents and scratches, your car is bound to need some fresh paint now and again.

Car paints not only give your vehicle a brand-new look but also protects the surface of your vehicle and gives a little touch up to different scratches and defects. No matter for what reason you might need car paint you have to make sure that you can apply that paint easily and able to give a desired and long-lasting finish.

How to Choose Automotive For Car Paint?

Now when you are fully equipped with the facts but the concern of how exactly do you find the best car paints has still remained unanswered.

All automotive touch paints are not the same and something unique. You have to be clever enough to find out what exactly you need as many options might attract you and can make you confused, and we don't want that.

Luckily that is not a problem. If you haven't made your decision yet, and still confused, then here are few points that you should seriously review before making a final choice, which would help you to finally grab the paint that suits you and your pocket the best.

Have a look!

  1. Model of car: The most vital thing to look before buying a car paint is to see the car model as different touch-up paints are made for certain makes of car. Though you might be attracted to paint, that has awesome features. Don't let that happen as there might be a high possibility that it might not go with your car model.
  2. Drying time: This is another essential factor that a car spray should have. Drying factor matters especially to those customers who have to apply multiple coats on their project, and they have to wait for days and days. Get a Quick-dry paint that takes 30 minutes to dry, and you can proceed further. Paint takes even months to dry in some cases, and the owner has to wait for waxing his car.
  3. Application Method: Different touch-up paints have different application methods, so you need to choose wisely, which you are going to adopt. Suppose if you are dealing with small scratches, then you would need a pen-style applicator while on the other side, a touch-up paint works well for deep and longer scratches, and if you have a wide area to cover, then would be the thing for you. So on has to be very careful about these different ways of application.

Product 

Price

Editor Rating

1). Performix Plasti Dip Black Car paint

2). Rust-Oleum Gray Primer Car Paint

3). Meguiar's G17216 Ultimate Compound

12 Best Car Paints (Automotive) Reviews

4). VHT clear Exact-Match Automotive top coat

5). Honda Crystal Black Pearl

6). Dupli-Color Clear Aerosol

7). Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

12 Best Car Paints (Automotive) Reviews

8). CRC All-Purpose Enamel Spray Paint

9). Rust Bullet Automotive Rust Inhibitor Paint

10). PlastiKote 1004 Universal White

Out of stock, last checked 30 Aug, 2020

11). Carfidant Car paint repair

12). Subaru Touch up Paint

12 Best Automotive Car Paints:

1). Performix Plasti Dip Black Car paint

Our top pick from the top 10 automotive paint brands is Plasti Dip Car paint from Performix. This is a multi-purpose paint that can be used by spraying, brushing, or even dipping and leaves a black matte finish.

Plasti Dip is one superb formula that is purely designed not to crack and resist high heat. It is an ideal choice to paint car rims, bumpers, grills, and mirrors. Although you would need 10-12 cans to dip your whole car but trust me, it is worth giving a try.

Pros

  • Resists moisture, heat, acids, and erosion
  • Affordable
  • Flexible formula
  • Easy to remove if not satisfied

Cons

  • Have to shake well before using
  • Eventually starts to peel


2). Rust-Oleum Gray Primer Car Paint

This paint from Rust-Oleum might also give tough competition to our previously mentioned car paint. This product is mainly used to prime automobiles, and other vehicles work under for most automotive lacquers and enamels. At the same time, Its oil-based formula gives a durable and protective coating with excellent rust prevention.

The best thing that we have reviewed and appreciated by many customers is that if you have to purchase multiple cans, then it will come pre-thinned formula and ready-to-spray system, which makes it a great convenience consumer.This heavy-duty base coat provides unmatched corrosion resistance and works beautifully with most automotive brands and only takes about 15 minutes to der completely.

Pros

  • Chrome Yellow finish
  • Comes with ready to spray system
  • Attractive metallic gloss finish.
  • Several colors for camouflage.

Cons

  • Might need a topcoat for a great finish
  • Pre-thinned formula means no thicker coverage option any more
  • Often blocks nozzle


3). Meguiar's G17216 Ultimate Compound

12 Best Car Paints (Automotive) Reviews

This paint has great benefit right off the bat with the fact that the application can be made by one's hand or with a dual-action polisher, giving you dual option to save your time or to finish the painting without buying extra equipment.

It comes with micro-abrasive technology that would not scratch your vehicle but would easily remove oxidation, scratches, water spots, and other blemishes. You would also get detailed how-to tutorials and helpful tips to make your project go smoothly and perfectly as possible if you are a first-time user.

Pros

  • Best clarifying compound
  • Gives a fantastic finish
  • Can work on a cool surface

Cons

  • Scratches come back shortly
  • Can not remove real hard water spots
  • Can not resist rain sometimes


4). VHT clear Exact-Match Automotive top coat

If you are looking for something which can give a touch up to the shine to your vehicle, then this is surely your thing. It is generally available in 8oz can and is all ready to spray onto your surface. It is also perfect for applying on top of a basecoat to set the color and gives a high-gloss finish properly. Just remember that your basecoat is perfectly dried, which would take only 30-40 minutes. 

You might have to apply many coats as its valve can be prone to clogging due to large droplets in the spray.

Pros

  • Less drying time
  • Easy to apply
  • High-gloss finish
  • Durable
  • Its formula exactly matches OEM factory topcoat

Cons

  • Might cause clogging
  • May need several coats for desired finish


5). Honda Crystal Black Pearl Touch-up paint

This is great for Honda owners. It is very suitable for the range of models from Accord (2008-2012) and Civic ( 2008-2011). You just need to check the paint code against the manufacturer's specs to see if your vehicle comes in that range. By this, we dont mean that it will not work for the rest of the models; it's perfect for these specific models.

It has a double-ended pen, which is used to touch up the colored parts and topcoat. The brush is small in size and non-clogging, which makes it perfect for touching up minor scratches or any imperfection on your vehicle's surface, but you cannot paint the entire cars with this.

Pros

  • Durable
  • UV resistant
  • Pressure-sensitive
  • Non-clogging tip

Cons

  • Small in size, so they cant cover entire vehicle


6). Dupli-Color Clear Aerosol

Another important process to finish off painting any car is adding a top coat that binds everything together and seals the job up. Its formula contains acrylic lacquer paint that dries very quickly.

The 360-degree adjustable nozzle is an added feature that makes it extremely easy to apply in an aerosol can. The nose will let you finish your large areas painting quickly and saves your time as well. This Dupli-Color Colour can be used on any color paint and provide not only a glossy finish but also an extra layer of protection.

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Colour matches well
  • Professional results

Cons

  • Little shine and droplets from the junk nozzle
  • Uneven spray
  • Chunky and runny spray at times


7). Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

12 Best Car Paints (Automotive) Reviews

This clever polishing compound consists of micro-abrasive technology to change dull, oxidation, and watermarks to a great finesse look as quickly as many harsh abrasives.

You can even apply by your hands to a clean, dry surface with a foam applicator or cloth with microfiber. Meguiar's Ultimate compound does not limit itself to give a vehicle a fresh look but also works for minor defects that don't cover with ordinary paint.

Pros

  • Ideal for repairing small defects
  • Clear coat safe formula
  • Cuts as quickly as any harsh abrasive
  • Several colors for camouflage.

Cons

  • Cannot cover deep marks
  • Applying by hand might require hard work as it needed multiple coats.


8). CRC All-Purpose Enamel Spray Paint

This easy-to-use spray acts as a great resistant of chipping and peeling of automotive projects, which takes very little time (about an hour) to dry completely. It has an enamel-based formula that will give you a glossy finish. Moreover, it provides superior durability and flexibility when compared to any typical lacquer paints.

CRC offers this paint, which proves to be a good source of resistance to abrasion as well as solvents and corrosion. The All-Purpose Enamel spray paint can be used in contractor applications as well as in the factories. It also works amazingly to spray over the rigid rust spots of a vehicle.

Pros

  • Works great for model kits
  • Amazing black coat
  • Nice shiny glossy finish
  • Given even coat
  • Quick drying

Cons

  • Gives a hard time to push down the spray nozzle
  • The bottle had to shake well
  • Does not have good coverage
  • Spray button is hard to push


9). Rust Bullet Automotive Rust Inhibitor Paint

Rusting is a common problem which is faced by almost every vehicle's owner. So if your car shows signs, consider investing in this Rust Inhibitor Paint by Rust Bullet. It is suitable and perfect for a wide range of automotive applications, including frames, undercarriages, and suspension. It not just works for existing rust but also prevents the new rust from coming.

You have multiple ways in which you can apply, like spraying, rolling, or brushing. The best thing is that you need to use any primer before starting your painting process as this is itself standalone paint, making it cost-effective and time-saving product. You can have durable finish with just two coats that will not only prevent UV radiation but will give a gleaming and rust-free look. 

Pros

  • Strong adhesion
  • Chip and UV resistant formula
  • Helps to prevent the coming of new rust
  • No requirement of primer

Cons

  • At least two coats required
  • Long drying-time
  • Hard to get it off from unwanted areas


10). PlastiKote 1004 Universal White Automotive Touch-Up Paint

This 11-ounce can of spray paint comes in many colors for any project. These best car paint colors are ideal for using over a colored basecoat to attain a high gloss factory-style finish. This is specifically formulated to provide a tough and long-lasting finish that will resist nicks and scratches. Besides, it will not tarnish or rust.

You might do several layers of paint with a possibility of uneven spray if and only you are unlucky enough to get your can with a weak nozzle. For the best result, show patience and do all the necessary prep work first. Then, simply spray this touch-up paint on, and your vehicle will look as fresh as new.

Pros

  • Fast drying
  • Good for touching up small defects
  • Good resistant to scratches
  • No primer required

Cons

  • Uneven spray
  • Pricey


11). Carfidant Car paint repair

This is also among the highly rated car paints for automotive. This is specifically designed to get rid of those irritating scratches and swirls that are on your vehicle. You can also use this Carfidant car paint product to remove water spots and other contaminants mixed with the paint.

As it is considered a professional-standard product, but one can easily use it at home. All car paints are supported, and there is also a refund guarantee if any of its customers found dis-satisfied for any reason.

Pros

  • Uses premium chemicals
  • Restore shine and gloss to your vehicle.

Cons

  • Does not work for deep scratches that can be felt with your fingernail


12). Subaru Touch up Paint

Yet this is another specialized car touch up paint that is worth giving a shot. This product helps cover your chips and scratches and gives your vehicle a new look, which is an ultimate goal for every car owner. You just need to be conscious that the color matches properly in your car.

Pros

  • Formulated for Subaru vehicles
  • You can get an exact match from car's color code
  • Relatively dries quickly
  • Easy to use with little prep

Cons

  • The pen can be difficult to use at times


Conclusion

Hopefully, you would have gotten here everything you were looking for and ready to grab the best car paint according to your needs and requirements. All you need to do a little research before heading towards the market and find the right paint and your car is not far from being fixed or redesigned. 

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