Automotive Paint Colors For Your Car: An Overview

Does your car need a new paint job? Choosing the right color for your car can be an overwhelming task, since there is a wide range of automotive paint colors available on the market.

At Paint For Cars, we want to help you know how to choose the right automotive paint color for your car, which is especially helpful if you are a DIY car painter. Here’s our comprehensive guide to help you make the right choice:

The Psychology of Paint Colors

First, let’s talk about the actual colors themselves. The color you end up choosing for your car can convey a specific image and evoke certain feelings. As it turns out, there’s a psychology behind this.

Ultimately, the auto paint color you end up choosing will speak volumes about your personality and preferences. We detail more about this also in our ultimate guide to auto paint and also our choosing the right paint job for your car article.

Let’s get into the colors, shall we?

Black

Elegance & Sophistication

A popular paint color we see people choose a lot is black. Typically, when we think of black, we typically think of elegance and sophistication. No matter if you own a vintage or a modern car, a black paint color will definitely give off vibes of elegance, sophistication, luxury, and even authoritativeness.

Gray

Practical & Reliable

One of our favorites is gray. When it comes to painting your car, you’ll love the practical, reliable, neutral, and even conservative feel that gray gives. A gray car will represent your reliable and responsible nature, showing that you’re pragmatic and not easily swayed by trends.

Silver

Innovative & Modern

Looking for something modern with a bit of edge? Silver automotive paint colors often represent a sense of innovation, high-tech, and cutting-edge design. It’s the automotive paint color to choose for those who value a modern aesthetic and stay up-to-date with the latest trends!

White

Clean & Pure

White is a go-to automotive paint color for many automobile fans. One reason it’s a favorite is because white cars represent an overall sense of cleanliness and purity. This color can even suggest a meticulous, organized personality and a preference for a crisp, uncluttered environment.

Red

Passionate & Bold

There’s probably no paint color listed here that stands out more than red. Red is the color of passion and excitement. If you choose one of our red paint colors, it’s definitely a way to show off your bold, energetic, and adventurous side!

Orange

Creative & Unique

Want a way to stand out from the crowd? Choose any shade of orange. Orange is a little less common for cars and, as such, can represent your personal creativity and individuality. It’s definitely the color to opt for for those who are not afraid to stand out and show their unique character.

Yellow

Joyful & Optimistic

One of the happiest auto paint cars on this list! Yellow cars radiate joy, optimism, and a sense of fun. Choosing this color can show your cheerful, positive attitude and your zest for life.

Gold

Wealth & Prestige

Gold is a gorgeous go-to for many automobile fans. This color is often associated with wealth, prestige, and a taste for the finer things in life. A gold car can show that you appreciate luxury and have a rich sense of style.

Green

Harmony & Balance

A beautiful color and go-to for many auto paint enthusiasts. Green cars can represent a balanced, harmonious personality. This color might show your affinity for nature, your calm demeanor, and your grounded, reliable nature.

Read More: 5 Major Threats to Your Car Paint

Blue

Calm & Confident

Everyone loves a blue car. There are many shades of blue car paint, but no matter which you choose, each tend to communicate calm and confidence. Overall, choosing this color can indicate your peaceful nature, your reliability, and your strong sense of self.

Brown

Down-to-Earth & Trustworthy

Another one of our favorites is brown, due to its grounded look and feel. Brown cars can reflect a down-to-earth, dependable, and trustworthy personality. This color shows that you’re grounded and appreciate the simple things in life.

Other Thoughts on Automotive Paint Colors

In our article about the craziest and wildest car paint colors, we talk about some other cool colors you should consider for your car. These include Blue Metallic, Two-Tone Monarch Orange/Super Black, Spectral British Racing Green, and other awesome colors. Be sure to check out our online inventory of Acrylic Enamel Auto Paint, Acrylic Urethane Auto Paint, and Acrylic Urethane Paint Basecoat auto paint gallons.

Read More: Trends for Popular Auto Paint Color

Painting a Modern Car vs a Classic Car

Choosing the right color for a modern car and a classic car is a different process.

Specifically, modern cars often look best in contemporary colors that enhance their sleek, updated design. Classic cars, on the other hand, often benefit from vintage or period-appropriate colors.

When painting a classic car, it’s important to consider and research the original colors available for that specific make and model during its production years. Reproducing a classic car’s original color can enhance its authenticity and value.

Read More: Important Things to Know About Auto Painting

Researching Popular Paint Colors & Options

Car paint enthusiasts should carefully research popular paint colors and trends in the automotive world. Consider browsing car shows, magazines, and online forums to see what colors are currently in vogue.

You can also visit local dealerships or paint shops to check out samples and get professional advice.

Matching the Paint Color to Your Car’s Make & Model

The right paint color should complement your car’s make and model. Some colors – especially bright, loud colors – tend to suit sporty cars better, while others may be more fitting for SUVs or sedans.

For example, a bright yellow automotive paint color might look fantastic on a compact sports car, but may not be as suitable for a large SUV. Ready to paint your car? You’ll want to read our article on crucial tips to remember in painting your car.

Read More: Types of Automotive Paint: What is Best For My Car?

We Can Help You Choose the Right Automotive Paint Color!

Paint For Cars is a leading automotive paint distributor. We decades of industry experience, we can help you choose the perfect color for your vehicle. In addition we have over 39+ car paints available to you!

With our large inventory, we have the paint, tools, and equipment you need to ensure you have exactly what you need to best match your car’s make and model. Choose Paint For Cars to ensure your car looks stunning and reflects your unique style.

Read More: 6 Common Auto Car Paint Problems & Cures

Contact Paint For Cars

By considering the psychology of colors, the difference between modern and classic cars, popular paint trends, urethane vs other types of paints, the color trends in the automotive industry, application methods, and matching the color to your car’s make and model, you can make the best, informed decision!

Questions? Contact our team or read more about us today!

Further Reading:

• A Guide to Car Paint Supplies
• 6 Key Tips for How to Paint a Car
• Automobile Color Trends
• 3 Best Ways to Protect Your New Car Paint Job
• Top Fanatic Colors that Amp the Trendy Look of Your Car
• What is Automotive Paint Made Of?
• What to Know Before Approaching Your Insurance Company

One of the most popular car paints available on the market today is urethane paint. Because of its durability, versatility, and excellent color retention, it is a favorite auto paint solution for many DIY enthusiasts.

In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of using urethane paint for cars, answer some common questions, and also discuss its main pros and cons.

Benefits of Using Urethane Paint

Here are some reasons why we recommend urethane car paint for your DIY painting project:

Durability

To start, urethane is highly durable and resistant to scratches, chipping, and fading. This makes it an ideal choice for cars that are frequently driven and exposed to the elements.

Color Retention

Along those lines, urethane paint is also known for its excellent color retention. This means that the color of your car will stay vibrant and bright for years to come. At Paint for Cars, our urethane paints provide UV resistance to maintain the colors for the best long-lasting results!

Versatility

It’s also worth noting that urethane car paint is very versatile. This means that urethane paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including metal, plastic, and fiberglass. As a result, urethane is an excellent choice for painting cars with a variety of materials.

High Gloss Finish

Urethane paint produces a high gloss finish that looks fantastic on cars, giving them a sleek and polished appearance. At Paint for Cars, we have more than 39 colors that produce a gorgeous high gloss finish that you’ll enjoy for years to come!

Common Questions About Urethane Paint

Here are some of the most common questions we get about urethane car paint:

Does urethane paint need clear coat?

Urethane does not necessarily require a clear coat, but adding one can provide additional benefits. For example, a clear coat can help enhance the gloss and protection of the paint, making it more resistant to UV rays, chemicals, and scratches.

It also helps to prevent the color from fading or oxidizing over time. However, adding a clear coat may not be necessary depending on the specific application.

Our Metallic Blue Urethane Basecoat Clear Coat Car Paint Kit w/ Starfire Clear Coat

Which auto paint is better: enamel or urethane?

When comparing enamel paint with urethane, note that it’s overall less expensive and easier to apply. However, it is less durable and has poorer color retention compared to urethane paint.

Urethane paint, on the other hand, while being more expensive and also more difficult to spray, does provide a more durable and longer-lasting finish. Additionally, urethane provides better color retention than enamel.

Ultimately, the choice between enamel and urethane paint will depend on the specific needs and budget of the car owner. Read more here about urethane vs enamel paint.

Should you sand between coats of urethane paint?

Yes, we recommend that you sand between the coats to ensure proper adhesion and a smooth finish. Sanding helps to remove any imperfections, such as dust or debris, that may have settled on the surface during painting. It also helps to create a rough surface that the subsequent coat can adhere to better.

The specific grit of sandpaper to use between coats of urethane paint depends on the specific application and the type of paint being used. Contact our team for more details on sanding between coats.

How many coats of urethane paint should I apply?

You should apply two to three coats of a single-stage urethane paint to achieve the desired color and coverage. The number of coats required depends on the color of the paint, the specific application, and the skill of the painter.

Applying too many coats can lead to excessive thickness, which can cause the paint to crack or peel over time. Meanwhile, applying too few coats can result in poor coverage and an uneven finish. Always be sure to follow the application instructions on the label of the paint product you receive.

How long does urethane paint take to set?

Our paints take approximately 30 minutes to be dust free, 45-60 minutes to clear, and 4-6 hours to be tack free. Make sure you allow 24 hours to pass prior to sanding. Also allow 7-10 days for the paint to be fully cured, buffed, and polished.

Remember that rushing the drying process can lead to poor adhesion, bubbling, or cracking of the paint.

The Pros and Cons of Urethane Paint

Lastly, let’s go over some pros and cons of urethane that you should know:

Example of Our Beautiful High Gloss Finish

Pros

• Durability: One of urethane paint’s greatest strengths is its durability. For example, it is highly resistant to scratches, chips, and fading. Additionally, urethane can be exposed to harsh weather conditions and regular wear and tear.
• Resistance to Chemicals: Urethane paint is highly resistant to chemicals or other things in the environment. For example, it can resist damage from acid rain, bird droppings, tree sap, and other environmental factors that can harm the paint.
• Color Retention: As we mentioned earlier, urethane has excellent color retention. As a result, the color will stay vibrant and bright for years to come. This is due to its high pigment density and UV inhibitors which protect against sun damage.
• Versatility: Urethane paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including metal, plastic, and fiberglass.
• High Gloss Finish: Lastly, our paints produce a high gloss finish that looks fantastic on cars, giving them a sleek and polished appearance. The finish is smooth and reflective, making the car look brand new and adding value to its overall aesthetic.

Cons

• More Expensive: Urethane paint is more expensive than other types of automotive paint. The cost is due to its high quality and durability, as well as the equipment and safety measures required for proper application.
• Requires Proper Equipment & Safety Measures: In addition, this paint type requires specialized equipment and safety measures, such as protective clothing, ventilation, and a spray gun. This can make it challenging for DIY painters to use, and it may require hiring a professional for proper application.
• Harder to Apply: Urethane paint requires a skilled hand and experience to apply correctly. The paint is sensitive to temperature and humidity, and it can be challenging to achieve a smooth and even finish without experience.
• Takes a While to Dry and Cure: Lastly, urethane can take a long time to dry and cure fully, which can be frustrating for those who want to finish the job quickly. The drying time can vary based on temperature and humidity, and rushing the process can lead to poor adhesion and finish quality.

Despite these drawbacks, this paint type remains a popular choice for automotive painting due to its many benefits. Its durability, versatility, and high gloss finish make it a top choice for those looking for a long-lasting paint job on their car.

Our Urethane Paint Products

So now that we’ve covered many common questions and pros and cons to urethane paint, let’s discuss how Paint For Cars can help you achieve your car painting goals. We have several urethane auto paint kits available:

Auto Paint Gallons

Our auto paint gallon products (Acrylic Urethane Auto Paint – Starfire Gallons and Basecoat – Starfire Gallons) consist of a premium, single-stage OEM/refinishing system which gives you an excellent, long-lasting gloss and durability in an easy-to-apply single-stage package.

These Hawthorne Starfire Urethane Acrylic products are a state-of-the-art, 2.8 VOC formulation that offers excellent resistance to solvents, chemicals, gasoline, UV fading, chipping, and scratches.

Single Stage Kits

Need a urethane single stage kit for your project? Let Paint For Cars be your source for Acrylic Urethane Auto Paint Kits – Starfire, Flat or Satin Finish, and High Gloss – Xtreme single stage kits.

Our single stage acrylic urethane auto paints deliver on premium quality. In fact, each single-stage refinishing system provides excellent gloss and durability! Experience an easy-to-apply, OEM quality, economical, single-stage automotive paint package!

Two Stage Kits

We are also your source for two stage kits! Browse our good quality Basecoat + TCI Clearcoat kits, our improved Basecoat + Starfire Clear products, or our best, most premium Basecoat + TCI Clearcoat paints.

Our Starfire urethane basecoat products are of superior quality, and both meet and exceed OEM quality finishes. For your convenience, each two stage kit includes what is necessary for its application: from paints and reducers to sticks and the dust mask.

Why Choose Paint for Cars for Urethane Paint?

Paint For Cars has been a trusted source for high-quality auto paints and automotive body supplies since 1998. Our commitment to continuous improvement in product quality and customer service has earned us the highest word-of-mouth car paint sales in our history. Additionally, our team can also give you pointers on how to paint your car.

If you’re looking for car paints and other supplies, Paint For Cars is your go-to online source. We offer a wide selection of products at competitive prices, and our FAST and SECURE shipping ensures that your order arrives on time and in excellent condition.

Related Articles:

• Choosing the Right Automotive Paint Color Your Car

6 Key Tips for How to Paint a Car

How to Paint a Car from Start to Finish

Are you looking for key tips for how to paint a car from start to finish?

Over time, your vehicle has more than likely developed rust or accumulated small blemishes. As a result, as a car, truck, or motorcycle enthusiast, you likely have had a vehicle that you need to re-paint.

We live in a time where many people enjoy doing a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. If a fresh new paint job is something you want to invest time and money into, you’ll definitely want to take time to research, talk to your local car enthusiast group, or seek assistance from a car paint professional before diving into your DIY paint project.

Here is our article about how to paint your car like a pro!

1. Remove the Rust

To begin, you’ll want to make sure you have a rust-free foundation.

In order to have an effective paint job, you’ll need to 100% remove the rust. To do this, you’ll need to remove the metal only in the rusty area and weld in patches. For extremely rusty sections, you may need to replace the entire panel.

You’ll find that doors and fenders are easier to replace than other parts of your vehicle such as quarter panels, door skins, and floor pans. The latter three will require tools such as clamps, a welder, a weld cutter, or grinder in order to perform a replacement.

Be sure to research thoroughly how to remove the rust from your car prior to applying the paint. Painting over rust will unfortunately result in bubbling underneath the paint. Rust will also spread over time, so make sure to get rid of it completely!

2. Get the Car Panels Straight

The next step for how to paint a car is to ensure that you get the car panels straight.

It can take quite a few hours of applying body filler, sanding, and repeating the process again to make the panel straight. In some cases, using specialty tools may be required. Contact us here with any questions about your car panels.

Also, make sure to use a quality body filler. Even though it will still fill the voids of the car panels, a low quality filler it’s just not worth the investment since it won’t last as long. Quality filler will often be easier to sand as well.

3. Use a Quality Primer

The next step in effectively painting your your car is choosing a high quality primer. Note that you should choose between a specialized urethane primer or an epoxy primer.

• Urethane Primer: High quality primer. Smooth finish.
• Epoxy Primer: Best choice for applying over bare metal. Provides an even better seal than urethane primer. Is more moisture tolerant.

Note: Make sure that before you start using your spray gun, you practice first! You can practice by using test panels to achieve the best look for your primer and later, your car paint.

4. Choose a Car Paint

The next step of how to paint a car is researching the best car paint for your vehicle.

Knowing ahead of time which paint you should purchase is going to be a critical step in achieving the desired look for your car. Make sure you utilize an automotive finish color chip chart to select your car paint color.

There are plenty of different types of automotive car paint you can choose for your project. However, most car enthusiasts and paint pros suggest using either urethane or the two-step acrylic enamel paints over the over paint type variations.

The reason? Both urethane and acrylic enamel paints feature higher viscosity when compared to lacquer paint styles. Typically, a mixture of 1 part primer to 1 or 1/2 part thinner is enough to achieve the right color you are looking for. Because of this, you’ll need fewer coats of paint if you use urethane or acrylic enamel paints.

In fact, we have found that lacquer paints often need twenty or more coats of paint to get a similar outcome. Most of the time, two or three coatings of base color and three topcoats of clear will do the job. Here are 5 different ways to paint your car.

Read More: Important Things to Know About Auto Painting

5. Purchase Safety Gear

Whenever you paint a car, you will need to invest in the proper safety gear.

We recommend purchasing a complete paint suit to protect your body and clothes from any potential toxic materials. You should also buy a respirator with two air filters.

Also, be sure to purchase gloves, goggles, and head covering so that your hands, eyes, and face are protected while you work.

For your reference, here is a list of the safety gear you should buy:

• Paint suit: to protect your clothes and body
• Respirator: with two air filters
• Gloves: to protect your hands
• Goggles and head covering: to keep your eyes and face safe

6. Keep Your Work Area Clean

Perhaps this last step goes without saying, but we want to stress how important it is to keep everything in your work area clean – prior to even starting to paint your car.

Be sure to keep the area clean at all times. This will make your car paint job more efficient and it will also ensure that dirt and debris are kept away from a fresh coat of car paint. Trust us – it’s a bummer when there is a mistake due to dirt that gets on an otherwise beautiful car paint job!

Also, we want to note that you should always make sure your spray gun is clean before you begin applying your primer and car paint.

Read More: Crucial Tips to Remember in Painting Your Car

Final Thoughts On How to Paint a Car

Let Paint For Cars be your online resource for high quality auto paints, (available in 1 gallon), single stage and two stage kits (which include the car paint, reducer, hardener, sticks, strainers, and dust mask, etc.), as well as our auto paint supplies (primers, urethane reducers, body fillers, and clear coats, etc.)

Now that you know some of the key steps for how to paint a car effectively, you can get started on your painting project equipped with better knowledge to move forward. If you have further questions, contact us here, or check out our other blog articles for more information.

Also, don’t forget to take a look at our website for any and all of your auto painting needs.