Author: ERAPaints

1K vs. 2K Clear Coat – Which is better?

Posted on by ERAPaints

1K vs. 2K Clear Coat

At ERA Paints, we pride ourselves on offering our customers the best products on the markets, and our 2K clear coat paint is no exception. When it comes to your vehicle, it’s essential to use the best products to extend the car’s longevity.

Alongside the variety of industry-leading information we provide and our range of clear coat repair products, we are excited to offer our own 2K clear coat spray. We feel that our product not only matches market leaders like SprayMax 2K clear coat but goes above and beyond.

In this article, we will outline everything you need to know about 2K clear coat spray, including how to use it and answer questions like, Where can I find 2K clear coat near me?

What is clear coat spray paint?

Clear coat is essentially a transparent paint that is used to cover the colored layer of paint underneath. When completing the touch up paint process, the clear coat is the last layer of paint applied to your vehicle. It follows the base coat’s application, which helps the paint bond to the metal, then the spraying of the paint itself.

Mini Cooper Clearcoat Peel

The clear coat seals off the paint and adds an additional layer of protection, helping prevent scratches and scuffs. The actual thickness of the clear coat can vary from 30 microns to 80 microns thick, depending on the manufacturer. Generally, the coats underneath the clear coat, the base, and paint layers are matte, whereas the clear coat is glossy. It means that the clear coat has functional and aesthetic purposes because it makes your car shine and protects it.

Not all paint jobs require clear coat repair, single-stage paintwork is not covered with a clear coat layer.

What is 1K clear coat?

Most clear coat repair work uses 1K clear coat. It is the standard product that comes with many OEM touch up paint repair kits. It is generally used for touch up paint repairs where owners are looking to give their fix a flawless factory finish.

1K clear coat doesn’t require activating and can be used directly out of the spray canister or paint jar.

What are the advantages of 1K clear coat?

There are several advantages to using 1K clear coat that has made it wildly popular among car enthusiasts and professionals alike, these include:

  1. Cost – 1K clear coat is up to half the price of a 2K clear coat spray can.
  2. Quick-drying – 1K clear coat dries fast.
  3. Ease of use – 1K clear coat doesn’t require any additives or activators to work. Simply apply it to your vehicle, and it will dry.
  4. Weather resistance – 1K clear coat is relatively durable and will protect the paint underneath even in adverse weather.
  5. Polish Ability – Once the clear coat layer has dried, you can get a great shine off it by polishing it.

What is 2K clear coat?

2K clear coat is used in the same way as its 1K cousin. It’s applied once the colored paint layer of your vehicle has dried. The major difference is that a 2K gloss clear coat needs either a catalyst, an activator, or a harder. Generally speaking, most 2K options come in the form of a polyurethane clear coat as it is much more robust.

After activating the hardener, the 2K clear coat must be applied in a timely manner, usually within a few hours. After this point, it can’t be used anymore as the hardener reacts with the clear coat to form a hard finish.

We recommend using gloves, goggles, and a mask when using 2K clear coat spray as it uses an isocyanate hardener.

What are the advantages of 2K clear coat?

Using a 2K clear coat solution for protecting the underlying painted layer of your vehicle has several advantages:

  1. Incredible resistance to scratches and scrapes because of the extra firm finish and is perfect for areas of your car that are prone to surface damage.
  2. Long term sealing of paint repair work compared to other top coat products.
  3. Great for large surfaces.
  4. It works well even in higher temperatures.
  5. Lasting glossy finish
  6. UV protection
How to Repair Peeling Clear Coat

What’s the difference between 1K and 2K clearcoat?

The significant difference between 1K and 2K clear coat is the need for a catalyst to dry. 1K can dry without any additives, whereas a 2K clear coat needs a catalyst to harden. Otherwise, it won’t fully dry.

Generally speaking, 2K clear coat is double the price of the 1K alternative, but for a good reason. 2K clear coat spray cans providers a far superior level of protection. The extra firm layer means that 2K clear coat spray has been the choice of professional painters for years. If your vehicle is ever exposed to extreme conditions in the form of off-roading or even gravel roads, then a 2K clear coat prevents scratches and scrapes. So, while the initial outlay is higher, long term, you avoid the need for additional paint repairs.

How to activate your 2K clear coat

Remember that once your 2K clear coat has been activated, you must use it within 24 hours, or it will permanently harden in the can. Spray Max 2K clear coat instructions are the same as most other brands, to activate it:

  1. Shake the can vigorously for 2 minutes
  2. Take the button from the cap and attach it to the pin on the underside of the can.
  3. Place the top of the can onto something firm.
  4. Push the red button into the pin.
  5. Remove the button and dispose of it
  6. Shake the 2K clear coat can again for two minutes.

How do you apply a 2K clear coat?

Applying a 2K gloss clear coat isn’t difficult, but we have a few tips and tricks to make the process even easier.

  • – Ensure the base of your vehicle is smooth before applying paint or clear coat. This avoids a bumpy finish. Use sandpaper to get a smooth finish.
  • – Practice applying the clear coat on card or paper before, so you get a feel for the flow rate and how the clear coat spray handles
  • – Apply three layers of 2K clear coat. Always start out with a light coat and get heavier with each layer.
  • – Spray from around 6-8 inches away. Any closer, and it may drip or bubble. Any further away, and it may not be smooth, especially if it’s windy.
  • – Aim to paint on a day that is around 72ºf as it means the clear coat will dry evenly. Also, to get a great finish, never paint in direct sunlight.
  • – We offer triggers that attach to the spray cans, and they are a lifesaver in terms of the application process.

If you haven’t got that original factory finish you were hoping for, we have a few tips to improve the clear coats look.

  • – With any 2K clear coat that has turned out dull, we recommend polishing it. It is robust, so you can rub it a lot and are unlikely to cause any damage. Giving the area a good polish once it is dry usually solves the issue.
  • – If the 2K clear coat paint has turned out coarse or there are drips, you may need to try wet sanding. Only ever lightly sand the area, we never want to affect the base color. So, work with caution. Once the roughness has been smoothed out, clean the area, and add another coat.

When trying to correct any uneven areas or iron out the smoothness, work slowly. You don’t want to rush it and erode the color underneath. If you are having trouble, get in touch with our expert who can help you.

2K Clearcoat: Single-stage vs. two-stage paints

Single-stage painting is an older method of painting vehicles that has been all but replaced by the more modern two-stage painting system. Single-stage painting does not require a 2K gloss clear coat or any other clear coat as all the necessary chemicals for painting are mixed and applied all at once.

Two-stage paint jobs always use a 2K clear coat or the 1K alternative to guarantee the protection of the colored paint and provide a great finish. When done professionally, most paintwork is finished with 2K clear coat spray as it offers maximal protection.

How long does 2K clear coat take to dry?

We regularly get asked, how long does 2K clear coat take to cure? Waiting the right amount of the time to dry prevents any unnecessary damage to the top layer. It also makes it more likely that you’ll achieve a flawless factory finish. Driving too soon, polishing, or waxing the clear coat when it isn’t dry can negatively impact the finish.

If you are completing the full touch up paint process, you will have to wait around an hour to dry before applying the 2K clear coat. We recommend using three layers of clear coat to get full and even coverage of the area. Between each coat, wait at least ten minutes before applying the next.

It takes 24 hours to dry thoroughly; after this time, you can polish the 2K clear coat to bring out that extra shine. However, it can take up to seven days for it to fully cure.

How long does 2K clear coat last?

Most car waxes and other sealants last only a few months, and getting that shine back onto your vehicle requires another round of polishing or waxing.

However, 2K clear coat is likely to last an indefinite amount of time until it is worn away or chipped off by debris. If you live on unsealed roads or regularly take your car off-road, the clear coat isn’t likely to last as long.

To extend the life of your clear coat:

  • * Wash and wax your car regularly. Once every four weeks should be the absolute minimum. This removes any harmful debris and stops it eroding the quality of your 2K clear coat.
  • * Avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun by parking your vehicle in a shaded area.
  • * Use detailing clay to get rid of pollutants that attach themselves to the clear coat.

Why use a 2K clear coat?

Using 2K clear coat is a must for anyone looking to extend the life of their vehicle’s paintwork. It is especially important in areas of your car that interact with chemicals from the roads or are bombarded with debris.

The exceptional protection that it provides keeps your car shining for longer, so it pays for itself in the long run despite a higher upfront cost. On top of that, it’s the stuff that manufacturers use on your vehicle in production, so you know you’re using the best stuff available on the market.

Where is the best place to buy 2K clear coat?

ERA Paints offer a range of industry-leading products that help people across the country take control of their vehicles’ clear coat repair work.

Our helpful guides and outstanding prices have meant customers can repair their vehicles at exceptional prices and avoid costly trips to auto repair shops.

The 2K clear coat we supply is the best quality and will allow you to protect your vehicle’s paint for even longer. Check out our selection of touch up paint products and get fantastic value when purchasing your 2K clear coat paint. On top of that, receive free delivery with every purchase!

We pride ourselves on quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer satisfaction.

If you are interested in ERA Paints and our strive for vehicle care, follow us on our social media:

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DIY vs Autobody – How Much Does Paint Repair Cost?

Posted on by ERAPaints

How Not to Spend a Fortune

Nobody likes dings and scratches in their car. In fact, they become a big pain for you. Just imagine, you parked a car. When you come back later, you saw a scratch. It is not only frustrating but also ruins the car’s look. Not to forget that you will be also paying the cost to paint a car.

You can hire some professionals for paint repair or you can carry out yourself. There are many pros and cons to both methods.

Cost to Paint A Car Yourself

If we talk about the supplies then you will be happy to know the cost to paint a car will be under $100. They are also easily available but the biggest problem is the painting job. It takes a lot of time as well as energy such as add dozens of coats of paint and many more.

That is not all, you will also require some machinery such as a paint gun. You can rent these machines but remember it is not available everywhere. You can also count on brushes and paint trays.

Another problem is ventilation. When you are painting, make sure that the area is well-ventilated. The reason is that the dust or dirt can ruin the new paint job while it is drying.

You will also require some extra things which are sandpaper, mineral spirit, and masking tape. Sandpaper is used to remove the grime or rust. To clean your car, you will require mineral spirits. Masking tape will surely protect the area from the paint.

Cost to Paint A Car by Hiring a Professional

If we compare it to the DIY method then the cost to paint the car will be higher than $100. Every painting company charges different rates for different level. You need to analysis your budget first then choose the one that fits.

If you are looking for a basic paint job then it will cost you under $1,000.

In basic paint, you can have

– Few coats of enamel paint (synthetic)

– Less attention to detail

A standard paint job will cost more than the basic paint job. Approximately, you will be spending around $1,000 to $3,000.

What you can expect from standard paint job is

– Last Longer

– Will make your car look better

– Smooth surface

– No impurities

Last but not least, if you like to show off your car then it is advisable to invest in a showroom quality job. This one is better than the above two paint jobs. It will cost you around $20,000 but on the other side, you will be getting a high-quality paint job.

This process will

– Remove the whole paint on the metal frame

– Clear out any dents

– Carefully add dozens of layers of paint

Not to forget that you will also be getting all the benefits of a standard paint job as well.

Which one to choose?

You must be thinking then which one to choose? If your car doesn’t need specialized tools and you are a very patient person then you can easily do it. Another factor might be that you don’t want to spend a lot of money so you consider doing it yourself.

If you have no idea of how to paint a car or you are looking at something which is very hard for you then consider hiring a professional for this job. These people are very good at their work and they will guarantee you that the final product will be amazing then you can expect.

We pride ourselves on quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer satisfaction.

If you are more interested in ERA Paints and our strive for vehicle care, follow us on our social media:

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Cost to Repair a Car Bumper

Posted on by ERAPaints

BUMPER REPAIR COST

Assume that your car was crashed, has bumper damage and now it needs to be fixed. How much does it cost to repair a bumper? $200? $400? When the payment bill comes you will surely get surprised.

Subaru Bumper Paint Scratch

This happens because of the outdated understanding of a car bumper. In the past, the bumper was a piece of wood, bolted onto metal at the ends of the car. They provided protection if a car bumped into nearby objects. Furthermore, it was easily replaceable, just unscrewing the bolts allowed it to detach.

Now bumpers are more complex. Today, bumpers are integrated with components of the vehicle and have more functions than just protecting. This causes the bumper repair cost to rise. In order to know the cost, you need to understand a modern bumper’s purpose, and the process of fixing or replacing one.

Today’s system of repairing or replacing is much harder than it was in the past. Before taking out the bumper, professionals need to disconnect it from numerous vehicle systems. It does not only consumes time but it also takes trained skills. You must be wondering what kind of systems are in the bumper, below is the list of all systems:

  1. Lights
  2. Trim
  3. Warning Systems
  4. Airbag Sensors
  5. Air Intakes

Removing all the above parts takes almost 2 – 3 hours and sometimes even more. The average labor cost is $100 per hour.

Paint Labor

After the removal of bumper, it’s time for the paint job. This job starts when the damage to the bumper is repaired. It also includes using body filler(putty), plastic repair material or other materials to repair dents and cracks. The primary objective is to create an exact copy of the original bumper.


After the repair job, sanding is done to the surface of the bumper. Before painting, trim or cutouts are removed. Now it’s time for painting and this includes laying a base coat, coats of colors and clearcoat.


The average time spends in this whole job is around 3 – 4 hours. The paint labor cost almost $100 per hour.

Paint Materials

This includes masking tape, plastic repair material, basecoat paint as well as body filler. You must be thinking that the measuring tape and paint also includes in cost? Yes, auto-body shops charge a flat rate for materials. They charge around $45 per hour on average.

Parts

In any collision, there must some part or component that was damaged. In the worst scenario, because of high damage, a replacement will be made. A replacement of bumper will cost you around $300 – $700. If sensors, lights, cameras or any other component are damaged, then you can expect an increase in overall cost. Even a low-speed collision of a new car could cost up to $1,000.

Overall Bumper Repair Cost

Car bumpers have changed from very simple to complex. Not just tools and parts cost but also time and effort the person whom you hired.


If we sum up all the expenses, you can easily see why car bumper repair costs so much.

  • Labor Time: 2 – 3 hours (rate= $100/hour) will cost= $200 – $300
  • Labor Time: 3 – 4 hours (rate= $100/hour) will cost= $300 – $400
  • Paint Materials: 3 – 4 hours (rate= $45/hour) will cost= $135 – $180
  • Parts: Average cost of parts = $300 – $700

The average bumper repair will cost between $935 and $1,580.


Does this blow your mind? Well, you are not alone. Do you know you can fix a damaged bumper yourself? If you have small scratches or dents then you can easily fix it yourself, but if the bumper is heavily damaged then consider getting it fixed by a professional.


IN THE END, WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF.
 

How to Blend Paint on a Car

Posted on by ERAPaints

How to blend when painting a car

Learning how to blend new paint with old is a crucial part of the touch up paint process and the easiest way to guarantee that you get the most out of your DIY car paint kit. Thankfully, learning how to blend paint isn’t a complicated process and can even be done by people who have no automotive experience.

What is blending?

Figuring out how to blend car paint is the art of making the lines between your vehicles paint and your OEM car touch up paint vanish. You take your car spray paint and apply it to the existing paintwork to give the illusion of them blending into one.

Blending your automotive touch up paint gives the same kind of great finish that you would expect when visiting a professional body shop. Learning how to blend spray can paint will provide you with that ideal color match and is a process that we recommend absolutely everyone follows.

We outline the best practices to ensure maximal blending below. But we also have a fantastic YouTube video on how to blend paint on a car panel, which highlights the entire process step-by-step. Check it out here.

Why is blending your touch up car paint important?

Purchasing a car paint repair kit has several benefits. Not only are they significantly cheaper than going to a professional, but you also save yourself a lot of time and can work around your own schedule. However, you shouldn’t have to compromise on a great finish, and this is where blending comes in.

Getting instructions on how to blend paint automotive means that you are more likely to get an original factory finish on the work you do at home. On top of that, even with the perfectly matched OEM touch up paint we provide, color differences can still occur because of the environment you paint in, so blending is crucial to minimizing the disparities.

Overall, you don’t want to apply auto touch up paint to your vehicle to ruin your beautiful car’s look. That is why blending is essential.

When to blend car paint

Many of our customers ask how to blend spray paint and assume there is a magical step or product that does the work. However, blending paint is a technique that needs to be applied while you are spraying on your OEM touch up paint.

You should constantly be blending the entire time you are applying your OEM touch up paint on your vehicle. You can find an outline of these steps here, but we will outline tips and tricks on how to blend paint auto body below.

How to blend paint on a car with a spray can

The steps below only apply to use our spray can repair kits as the scratch or scrape when using a paint jar will be too small to blend. As we said previously, these steps need to be applied throughout the entire process as they are a technique rather than a task in their own right.

Before painting, you must ensure you have sanded and smoother the area down. The damage should be completely smooth and even, without this, blending is very difficult. Aim to complete the work out of direct sunlight as it can cause the paint to dry unevenly, which may leave a patchier finish. Below are the steps on how to blend spray paint:

  1. Shake your paint can for 1-2 minutes to mix the color properly
  2. Depress the spray tip to give it a test run and get an idea of the pattern
  3. Start with the edges of the damaged areas first then work in. Your first coat should try and cover the primer, then taper as you go.
  4. As you spray, track the panel’s contours, you are spraying to ensure even coverage and uniformness.
  5. You should wait 5 minutes between layers. When the paint has an even mat look, it’s time for the next coat.
  6. Aim for three to four coats overall and always aim for an even application with relatively wet coats.
  7. After the first few coats, start to extend the spread of each coat by 3 to 4 inches to help it blend with the surrounding paint.
  8. The final coat should fade out and not be heavy.
  9. Wait 20 minutes before applying the clear coat and aim for 2 to 3 coats.
  10. With a clear coat application, it is vital to keep your movement consistent to prevent it from running.

Please check out our YouTube video on how to blend urethane paint for more information on the entire process. It gives step by step examples of the above.

Let the paint dry completely before you check for the final color match as it can look lighter or darker prior to being completely dry. Discovering how to blend paint on your car will leave you with a superior finish that will make your car shine like it just rolled off the factory floor.

What are you waiting for? Get your car paint repair kit today, and get your vehicle shining again.

We pride ourselves on quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer satisfaction.

If you are more interested in ERA Paints and our strive for vehicle care, follow us on our social media:

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Automotive Touch Up Spray Paint

Posted on by ERAPaints

ERA Paints is a consumer’s top choice for Do It Yourself auto body repairs using our automotive touch up spray paint and auto touch up paint. You don’t need to be a professional to fix your own car. Fix it for a fraction of the price at your own leisure and at your own home. DIY, skip the auto body shop hassle and cost. Don’t be left without your car while it is at the body shop for weeks on end. Our high quality spray and touch up paint coats better, lasts longer. Simply put, we have the best automotive spray paint on the market!

Using our touch up paint and car paint spray cans save you time and money! You can fix your car for a fraction of the cost of a body shop. We’ve got all the automotive touch up paint and automotive touch up spray paint products, tools and know how you need to do your project. Keep in mind that outlets like Autozone, Napa, O-reillys, Home Depot, Lowes etc only sell a few of the many thousands of available colors. We sell almost any color of automotive touch up & car paint spray cans available. Remember: we only sell premium quality touch up paint and touch up spray paint. Don’t buy the cheap car paint spray can because you get what you pay for.

Our Customer Service

Don’t forget ERA Paints’ world-class customer service! See our gallery of before and after images on our website to give you an idea of what you can do! Check out our How To Find Your Car’s Paint Code videos for how to find the paint code for your vehicle. Furthermore, you too can also become a pro by watching our videos to learn to spray paint a car with rattle cans. Therefore, if you are looking for custom automotive aerosol spray paint, don’t worry, we have any color you need! Don’t forget we have a 100% OEM Color Match Guarantee for our automotive touch up & automotive spray paint. Don’t settle for mediocre quality auto touch up paint – we sell premium quality premium touch up for the same price!

We pride ourselves on quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer satisfaction.

If you are more interested in ERA Paints and our strive for vehicle care, follow us on our social media:

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What To Wash Your Car With For Maximum Paint Protection

Posted on by ERAPaints

Products You May Already Have Around the House

Washing the car isn’t only to make it look good but also to ensure your paint is protected as well. Many vehicle owners think that washing a car is a tiring job, but it can be a fun and rewarding process.

You can clean your car with many different methods. Every method uses different chemicals or detergent for cleaning. But not every product is meant for your car paint. In other words, you should first analyze what product will be most effective for the car’s paint. If you use a wrong product then it can damage your car’s paint.

Instead of taking a risk or doing a lot of research, these are few products that can be used on any car for cleaning purpose. Will they be able to provide paint protection? Yes indeed! Then it might be costly? No, because they are daily household products that you can easily get from your local store.

Household Products for your Car’s Body

The most common product is soap and water. If we are talking about large lumps of dirt on your car then you can easily remove with water. Finding a suitable soap might be a challenge for you. Just like cleaning products, not every soap provides paint protection.

The soap you use must be designed for clean cars otherwise it can damage the vehicle’s paint. To make soapy water, you need to mix baking soda, soap, and water (in a composition). You can also use denatured alcohol to remove tar and sap which is harmful for paint.

Talking about tar and sap, have you ever thought that peanut butter can be used as a cleaning agent? Well, now you have. Peanut butter, as well as denatured alcohol, can break down tar and sap that is on your vehicles paint.

If you want to get rid of grease and grime then consider using shampoo. Shampoo can cut down grime and grease from your car’s body without damaging the paint. You should use baby shampoo as a cleaning agent. Baby shampoo chemicals are guaranteed for paint protection.

Household Product for Windshield’s Wipers

Use rubbing alcohol to clean the road grime off windshield wipers. Use a clean cloth or rag and pour a little rubbing alcohol on it. Take the wiper blade in your hand and then firmly pull the cloth or rag along the rubber edge until it is clean.

Household Products for Interior Leather

Have you ever gotten stains on your leather seats? Well don’t worry because with the help of toothpaste, you can easily remove it. Apply the toothpaste and gently scrub the affected area. If it doesn’t work, then use rubbing alcohol and lightly dab it on the stain.

NOTE: Use small amounts of rubbing alcohol, if you use in excess it can bleach the color of the leather.

Household Product for Windows and Windshield

Lastly, you might want to wash your windows. Many people list this as the last one to prevent mist or splatter from clouding a clean window when you are cleaning other parts of your vehicle. The safest method is the microfiber and newspaper method. They both are great absorbers plus they don’t leave any scratches in the glass. Make sure to not only clean the outside but also the inside of your windows!

What to Do If I Damaged My Car’s Paint?

We all make mistakes, the best thing to do is to find the solution. You can check out our blog of how to use touchup paint like a professional and repair almost any scratch or chip in your paint.

Do you have any questions?

Use our FAQs page to find the answers.

You can also check out our DIY tips by clicking here.

We pride ourselves on quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer satisfaction.

If you are more interested in ERA Paints and our strive for vehicle care, follow us on our social media:

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How to Prevent Clear Coat Peeling off your Car

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Clear Coat Peeling

Nobody likes clear coat to peel off their car, right? The clear coat (car paints) serves two purposes: enhance the look of the car and to protect the color coat from harmful sun rays (mostly UV rays), rainwater, dirt, dust, and grime.

Plymouth Clear Coat Peel

This means that you should take all precautions to prevent clear coat from peeling off car. In other words, clear coat should be protected and kept intact. You must be wondering why could clear coat peel off? It happens because of mistakes made by those around the vehicle or natural causes.

If the peeling occurs, it should be repaired as quickly as possible. Your car body can undergo some heavy damages if it remains undealt with.

There are 5 different simple ways through which you can prevent premature clear coat peeling off.

1.   Stay Away from Automated Car Washes

Did you know that automated car washes are the worst enemy of car’s paint? The reason is that the abrasive nylon brushes rotate at a very high speed which can cause many scratches as well as swirl marks on the clear coat. Their high-pressure jets can also damage the clear coat.

Instead, you can go for an Eco car wash. Eco car washes doesn’t damage the clear coat.

FURTHERMORE, IT ALSO PROVIDES THE BEST CLEANING RESULTS WITHOUT ANY SCRATCH ON A CLEAR COAT.

The best method is steam cleaning. You don’t need to worry that the steam will damage the paint because the professional detailers know the temperature limits as well as the exact duration that the cleaning should take place.

You can also check our article on cleaning your car without peeling the clear coat by clicking here.

2.   Don’t Use Abrasive/Generic Car Wash Products

Some chemicals such as Windex can damage your clear coat. Not only Windex, but other detergents such as harsh soaps which you might use instead of designated cleaning products for the paint will definitely damage the clear coat. If you want to know how Windex can damage the clear coat then click here.

3.   Wax Your Car Regularly

Many people think that clear coat doesn’t require waxing, if you want to prevent clear coat peeling off car then you need to wax your car. When you wax your car, it forms a layer that helps shield from airborne contaminants such as acid rain and bugs.

Waxing can also protect your paint from weather conditions, UV rays from the sun and also elements such as road salt and snow (during winter).

4.   Wash Your Car Before It’s Too Late

The agglomeration of dust, grime and dirt can damage clear coat which results in it peeling. The ideal way to deal with these pollutants is by getting rid of them as soon as possible. If you leave them for a long time then it will lead to paint and body damage.

5.   Apply Paint Protection Film

This chemical will help the clear coat by giving it additional protection from the elements such as rocks, sand, chips, and stones. Have you ever heard of screen protectors of a cell phone? If yes, then the paint protection film works the exact the same way. It should be applied carefully because a small mistake can cause heavy damage to the paint.

Conclusion

Preventing clear coat peeling off car is important for both cosmetic reasons and allows the car last longer as well. If you provide care for your car now, it means you will avoid heavy expenses in the future as well as time. Do you know how to apply clear coat? No? We can help you out, check out our blog post about how to apply clear coat.

If you are more interested in ERA Paints and our strive for vehicle care, follow us on our social media:

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How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Car Hood?

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If you have decided to get your car hood painted, you have two choices to get this paint job done, either you can do it yourself or you can hire a professional to do it for you.  Having it done professionally can cost upwards of $500, but the do it yourself method could cost as low as $70. Read on for an in-depth view on the differences of the cost to paint car hood by yourself and professionally.


When you go in for car paint repair, you should be aware of the cost for common types of paint damage. It doesn’t matter whether you simply need to have touch-up paint for a small scratch or you need the entire body painted. Always having an idea of how much will that job cost you is valuable knowledge.

Cost to Paint a Car Hood the DIY way

Most people consider doing the paint job themselves because this method costs less. The materials you will need are primer, basecoat and clearcoat. You can get these supplies easily at ERAPaints.com and the cost to paint car hood won’t be more than $100.


Painting the car hood is an easy job, just check out our blog by clicking here. All of the instructions are written in steps and are very clear. The blog will help you paint your car hood and do a quality job.

Cost for a Professional to Paint your Car’s Hood

Hiring a professional has its own advantage, by hiring a professional for a paint job will assure you of high-quality. This means that the result will most likely be perfect. On the other side, it can cost a lot of money.
A rough estimate for a professional to paint a car hood ranges between $300-$500.  

What method should I use?

It depends upon the car as well as the damage. If your car contains high damage such as big dents, the full paint job on the hood then better go to a professional. In other words, he will repair your car hood with dedication and skill. Not only that, he will repair paint damage as well. Without compromising the quality, he will work flawless and guarantee to make the car hood as if you bought a new one.


If your car hood has little scratches then you should do it yourself. Don’t worry, we believe that you will do an amazing job while following our instructions. With little effort the DIY route will save a lot of money and time too. You can get the paint and touch up paint kit from ERA Paints. This won’t take more than a couple of hours and you will be spending about $30 to $60 for the whole job. Check out more about DIY vs Autobody by clicking here.

We pride ourselves on quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer satisfaction.

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Bumper Repair Cost for Automobiles

Posted on by ERAPaints

Bumper Damage

Assume that your car was crashed, has bumper damage and now it needs to be fixed. How much does it cost to repair a bumper? $200? $400? When the payment bill comes you will surely get surprised.

This happens because of the outdated understanding of a car bumper. In the past, the bumper was a piece of wood, bolted onto metal at the ends of the car. They provided protection if a car bumped into nearby objects. Furthermore, it was easily replaceable, just unscrewing the bolts allowed it to detach.

Now bumpers are more complex. Today, bumpers are integrated with components of the vehicle and have more functions than just protecting. This causes the bumper repair cost to rise. In order to know the cost, you need to understand a modern bumper’s purpose, and the process of fixing or replacing one.


Automotive Labor Time

Today’s system of repairing or replacing is much harder than it was in the past. Before taking out the bumper, professionals need to disconnect it from numerous vehicle systems. It does not only consumes time but it also takes trained skills. You must be wondering what kind of systems are in the bumper, below is the list of all systems:

– Lights

– Trim

– Warning Systems

– Airbag Sensors

– Air Intakes

Removing all the above parts takes almost 2 – 3 hours and sometimes even more. The average labor cost is $100 per hour.

Automotive Paint Labor

After the removal of bumper, it’s time for the paint job. This job starts when the damage to the bumper is repaired. It also includes using body filler(putty), plastic repair material or other materials to repair dents and cracks. The primary objective is to create an exact copy of the original bumper.

After the repair job, sanding is done to the surface of the bumper. Before painting, trim or cutouts are removed. Now it’s time for painting and this includes laying a base coat, coats of colors and clearcoat.

The average time spends in this whole job is around 3 – 4 hours. The paint labor cost almost $100 per hour.

Automotive Paint Materials

This includes masking tape, plastic repair material, basecoat paint as well as body filler. You must be thinking that the measuring tape and paint also includes in cost? Yes, auto-body shops charge a flat rate for materials. They charge around $45 per hour on average.

Bumper Parts

In any collision, there must some part or component that was damaged. In the worst scenario, because of high damage, a replacement will be made. A replacement of bumper will cost you around $300 – $700. If sensors, lights, cameras or any other component are damaged, then you can expect an increase in overall cost. Even a low-speed collision of a new car could cost up to $1,000.

Overall Bumper Repair Cost

Car bumpers have changed from very simple to complex. Not just tools and parts cost but also time and effort the person whom you hired.

If we sum up all the expenses, you can easily see why car bumper repair costs so much.

  • Labor Time: 2 – 3 hours (rate= $100/hour) will cost= $200 – $300
  • Labor Time: 3 – 4 hours (rate= $100/hour) will cost= $300 – $400
  • Paint Materials: 3 – 4 hours (rate= $45/hour) will cost= $135 – $180
  • Parts: Average cost of parts = $300 – $700

The average bumper repair will cost between $935 and $1,580.

Does this blow your mind? Well, you are not alone. Do you know you can fix a damaged bumper yourself? If you have small scratches or dents then you can easily fix it yourself, but if the bumper is heavily damaged then consider getting it fixed by a professional.

IN THE END, WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF. Be sure to check out our How-To videos on YouTube!

We pride ourselves on quality products, competitive prices and outstanding customer satisfaction.

If you are more interested in ERA Paints and our strive for vehicle care, follow us on our social media:

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How to Prevent Clearcoat Orange Peel

Posted on by ERAPaints

How to Prevent Clearcoat Orange Peel

The car touch up paint repair process isn’t rocket science, and learning how to paint a car at home shouldn’t take up too much of your time. A car paint kit has everything you need to get the job done to a great standard and save you a lot of time. However, one of the biggest issues faced with clear coat spray paint is an issue known as clear coat orange peel.

When our customers buy clear coat they often ask whether clear coat can be removed, and usually, this is because they are worried about how to apply clear coat correctly and how to undo any mistakes that may lead to clear coat orange peel.

What is clear coat orange peel?

Automotive Orange Peel

Orange peel is essentially an imperfection in your custom car paint job. The clear coat is rough, and the paint looks uneven because the light reflects off it at different angles to the lack of a smooth finish. Clear coat peeling usually occurs after a panel has been repainted, but it can sometimes happen when the vehicle comes straight from the manufacturer too.

Clear coat cracking ruins the look of your freshly done car paint job and is a significant concern for many of our customers. So, we want to outline a few ways you can prevent clear coat orange peel and achieve a flawless factory finish.

What Are the Causes of Clearcoat Orange Peel?

Three factors typically cause clear coat orange peel to occur and ruin your paint job. These are:

Your Ambient Temperature

This also means the room in which you are spraying the car is not equal to your panel’s temperature. Too large a disparity in the temperature will cause clear coat cracking.

Low-Grade Clearcoat and Supplies

Issues are extremely common when buying cheap clear coat with a nozzle not made for delicate application. Your traditional spray can nozzle does not spray as smooth or clean as a nozzle we provide you in our kits.

Your Basecoat Paint Isn’t Dry

The basecoat paint may be dry to the touch, but the solvents may still be off gassing. You may need to wait longer for the paint to dry if the air is humid.

Not Following Instructions

Another problem is that people don’t read instructions or labels. We hope that if you’ve made it this far, you’re not one of those people! These labels contain essential information such as about temperature or how to use it. Car paint is all about application, so if you don’t follow the instructions provided, you will most likely have bad results!

How to Prevent Orange Peel Clearcoat?

Thankfully, there are many methods to improve how you apply automotive touch up paint, and they all help prevent orange peel clear coat. We recommend four main tips:

1.      Practice Spraying

Practice makes perfect. Clearcoat being the most difficult to spray, it’s always a good idea to practice on cardboard or another area before going directly to your car’s surface.

2.      Use the spray can trigger grip provided in our kit to apply 2-3 coats!

It’s not a gimmick! Smooth and even application is extremely important for a perfect result! You’ll want to apply multiple coats, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next, which usually takes about 20 minutes!

3.      Keep the can 6-8 inches away from the panel. Not too close, Not too far!

When you are spraying, keep the can 6-8 inches away from the body of the car. Painting too close can result in drips because the clearcoat is applied too heavily. Too far away can result in light coats, which can create uneven layers on the car.

4.      Consider wind or temperature

The environment also plays a role when you are doing a touch up paint job. Especially when trying to apply clear coat paint. In hot weather, the paint will dry quicker. This can cause an improper distribution of color. You also don’t want it to be cold! The best condition is early morning or in the evening with a temperature of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Strong winds can also create problems such as, and it will dry out the clearcoat before the whole body gets a sufficient amount of coverage or cause uneven layers! If your can of clear coat has been sitting directly in the sun or outside in the cold, you’ll want to get the can to room temperature. You can do this by pouring water into a large glass. The water should be around 80 degrees since we want to get the can to 75 degrees. Submerge it and leave it in the water for at least 20 minutes before spraying.

How do you fix orange peel?

It doesn’t matter whether you are using a Rustoleum clear coat or epoxy clear coat, repairing orange peel clear coat damage is always the same. You are going to have to wet sand the damaged area. To do this:

  1. Soak 2000 grit sandpaper in water for around an hour.
  2. Then gently sand down the affected area where the clear coat is rough.
  3. You are only aiming to take off the top layer so start gently then apply more pressure if needed.

Once the clear coat orange peel has been removed, you will need to wash the damaged area to remove any debris. Follow our steps on how to paint a car to achieve the perfect finish. Respraying your vehicle with clear coat is essential and means you can use clear coat to protect car paint and avoid any other blemishes occurring. By using our tips above, the orange peel shouldn’t return a second time.

Can I spray clear coat over the top of the peeling clearcoat?

Clearcoat Peeling

Customers often ask us, can clear coat be painted over? The short answer is no. If you spray clear coat on top of an existing layer that is damaged, it will make the issue worst and become even more unsightly.

You will need to follow the repair steps above, or check out the video link below.

Want to learn more about how to prevent clearcoat orange peel?

Our video below breaks the entire process down step-by-step to make it as easy as possible for you to follow. Take a look and get your clear coat shining again along with our library of How To videos on YouTube.

Remember! At the end of the day, applying clear coat doesn’t have to be complicated! Follow the instructions provided, and practice before going straight to the car’s surface!

If you care about keeping your vehicle in excellent condition and like the guides that ERA Paints offer, follow us on social media:

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