How Long Does a Car Respray Take? Timeline & Expectations | GVE London – Blog

If you’re thinking about getting your car repainted, good decision. It truly resurrects the exterior of a vehicle and makes it look alive again. However, in these busy times, you might be wondering how long does a respray job really take?

Well, we won’t beat around the bush here. There is no straightforward answer. Generally speaking, though, a car respray can take anywhere from a few days to over a week. It depends on a bunch of things like how big the car is, the condition it’s in, the quality of respray, what kind of finish you want and more.

Let’s break it down properly.

Quick Jobs vs. Full Resprays

A basic respray involves sanding, masking and spraying of the car and takes around 2–3 days tops. However, if the car needs some prep work done, like dent removal, rust treatment, or colour changes, the timeline stretches. Full colour changes? You’re looking at 5–10 days minimum. Maybe even longer if you’re going with a custom finish, like matte, pearlescent, or something unique for a luxury car.

Pro tip: Any car respray centre like GVE London worth their salt won’t rush it. If they do, that’s a red flag.

What Actually Takes So Long?

Now, you might be wondering why it takes so long. Well, it isn’t the spraying itself that takes time, it is the prep.

• First, the team checks your car over to see what needs doing. Surface damage, rust, existing paint condition, all of that. Time estimations are established after this.
• The old paint is sanded and sometimes panels need to be taken off. This stage cannot be rushed as the better this stage is done, the longer the new paint lasts.
• Everything that shouldn’t get sprayed (windows, trim, handles) gets covered. Sounds easy. It’s not. Rushed masking ruins good work.
• The primer goes on, then colour, then lacquer. Each layer needs time to dry before the next one can be applied.
• The car then gets baked or air-dried. No shortcuts here as rushing this stage can cause bubbling or peeling later.
• Once dry, the car gets buffed and checked for imperfections. This can take a full day if you’re after showroom results.

Anyone who claims it is a one-day job is likely lying to you or is going to do a horrendous job.

Read Also: Things To Avoid After Getting Your Car Paint Repair

Why Luxury Car Resprays Take Longer

Luxury car respray services are a different ball game. The materials used are usually higher grade, and the finish needs to be flawless. It’s not just about changing the colour, it’s about restoring that “like-new” feel.

Plus, some luxury cars have carbon fibre panels or special coatings that need different techniques. In short: it takes more time because the standards are higher. And let’s be honest, if you’ve invested six figures into your car, you want the paint to reflect that.

Things That Can Delay the Process

Hidden Damage: Once the old paint is stripped, the bodyshop might find more issues underneath.

Paint Supply Delays: Some colours, especially custom or manufacturer-specific shades, take longer to arrive.

Poor Weather: Some smaller car respray centres still rely on ambient drying, which means humidity or cold can slow everything down.

Workload: Good respray services are often busy. There might be a wait before they can even start.

Final Word

Don’t rush it. A proper car respray is part art, part science. If you’re going to spend the money, give the professionals the time they need to do it right. We here at GVE London excel at luxury car respray, and our results speak for themselves. We do not rush things, we take our time and we do a job so good you’d be left in awe. We’re a supercar showroom that works with all things automotive, from sales and purchase to repairs and mods. We also export our vehicles to buyers across the globe. Get in touch with us today to know more!