Car Paint

Car Paint is a protective and decorative coating used on vehicle bodywork. Most modern paint systems consist of a primer, coloured basecoat and a clear coat or lacquer. Whether you are repairing stone chips on a bonnet, touching up bumper scuffs, refinishing mirror caps or planning a full respray, choosing the right automotive paint helps achieve a consistent finish and long-lasting protection.

At NonPaints.com, you can order car paint by car brand, by colour code, by paint system or by application method. All paint is mixed to order and suitable for DIY repairs or professional refinishing depending on the product selected.

• Choose a touch-up paint pen for chips and fine scratches
• Use aerosol car paint for localised repairs and small panels
• Select car paint in tins for spray-gun application and larger refinishing work
• Compare 1K car paint and 2K car paint based on durability, finish and application method

What is car paint?

Car paint does more than add colour to a vehicle. Automotive paint systems are designed to protect body panels against UV exposure, corrosion, weather conditions and daily wear while also creating a smooth and consistent finish.

Most modern vehicle paint systems are built in three layers:

• Primer – improves adhesion and helps protect bare metal, filler and prepared surfaces
• Basecoat – provides the visible vehicle colour and effect
• Clear coat or lacquer – adds gloss, durability and extra protection against weathering and scratches

Metallic and pearl colours typically use a basecoat plus clear coat system to achieve depth, gloss and colour effect.

Unlike regular household paint, automotive paint is specifically developed for adhesion, durability and finish on vehicle panels exposed to changing temperatures, road conditions and outdoor use.

For complete paint preparation and finishing, see our range of primers, clear coats, thinners and hardeners.

Which car paint do I need?

The right type of car paint depends on the size of the repair, the application method and how accurate the colour match needs to be.

• Tiny chips and fine scratches – a touch-up paint pen is ideal for stone chips, edge damage and small paint imperfections
• Spot repairs and small panels – aerosol car paint is suited to bumper corners, mirror caps and localised repairs
• Larger panels and full resprays – paint tins for spray-gun application are better suited to doors, bonnets, wings and complete refinishing work

Colour code matching is often the best option for accurate repair work, especially on modern finishes from brands such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Toyota, Jaguar, Land Rover and MINI.

Choose a touch-up pen for chips, an aerosol for localised repairs, and a paint tin for larger panels or spray-gun work.

Browse our range of custom car paint, car paint in tins, car paint aerosols and touch-up paint pens.

1K vs 2K car paint

When choosing automotive paint, it is important to understand the difference between 1K and 2K paint systems.

1K car paint

1K car paint is easier to use and dries through air exposure. It is widely used for DIY repairs, localised paintwork and refinishing jobs where convenience and ease of application are important.

• Ready to spray without adding hardener
• Suitable for DIY repairs and smaller paint jobs
• Compatible with metallic and pearl basecoats
• Typically requires clear coat or lacquer for gloss and protection
• Often faster drying than 2K systems

2K car paint

2K car paint contains a hardener that chemically cures the paint for improved durability and chemical resistance. It is commonly used where a harder-wearing finish is required.

• More resistant to scratches, chemicals and weather exposure
• Suitable for durability-critical repairs and professional refinishing
• Can provide a high-gloss finish depending on the product selected
• Requires activation with hardener before use
• Some 2K products may not require an additional lacquer layer

2K paints require stricter safety precautions, including suitable respiratory protection and good ventilation during application.

Explore our range of 1K car paint, 2K car paint, clear coats, hardeners and paint accessories.

Aerosol, paint tin or touch-up pen?

Aerosol car paint

Aerosol car paint is suitable for spot repairs, bumper corners, mirror caps and smaller body panels. Aerosols are commonly used for DIY paint repairs where a spray gun is not required.

Depending on the repair, you may also need primer, lacquer, masking materials and degreaser.

Car paint in tins

Car paint in tins is designed for spray-gun application and larger refinishing work. This format is commonly used for doors, bonnets, wings and complete panel resprays.

Paint tins may require thinner, hardener, primer and clear coat depending on the paint system selected.

Touch-up paint pens

Touch-up paint pens are ideal for stone chips, edge damage and fine scratches. They offer precise paint application for small imperfections and colour corrections.

Touch-up pens are not intended for larger blended repairs or complete panel refinishing.

See all car paint accessories including masking products, primers, lacquer and preparation materials.

Car paint by colour code

Matching car paint by colour code helps achieve a more accurate repair result, especially on modern factory finishes.

The vehicle colour code can often be found on a manufacturer sticker inside the door shut, in the engine bay or within the vehicle service book. The exact location varies between manufacturers and models.

If you do not know the colour code, we can help identify the closest match for your repair. Our colour matching process can support colour identification using spectrophotometer technology where required.

Car paint can be supplied as an aerosol, paint tin or touch-up pen depending on the repair and application method.

Browse car paint by car brand, car paint by colour and custom mixed car paint.

How to apply car paint

Applying car paint correctly helps improve adhesion, finish and long-term durability. The exact process depends on the paint system and repair area.

1. Clean and degrease the surface thoroughly
2. Sand the damaged or existing paint surface
3. Apply primer where needed
4. Apply the colour coat in thin, even layers
5. Apply clear coat or lacquer if required
6. Allow sufficient drying and curing time
7. Polish the surface if necessary after curing

Primer is recommended on bare metal, filler and sanded-through areas to improve adhesion and surface consistency.

Most basecoat colours require a clear coat or lacquer layer for gloss and protection.

Drying and curing times vary depending on the product, temperature and paint system used.

You may also need:

• Primer
• Clear coat or lacquer
• Hardener
• Thinner
• Degreaser
• Sandpaper
• Masking tape
• Respiratory protection

Shop primers, clear coats, thinners, hardeners and paint accessories.

Safety and UK considerations

2K car paint is widely used in automotive refinishing, although safe application and product compliance remain important. Suitable respiratory protection and good ventilation are essential when using 2K products.

For full vehicle colour changes, UK vehicle details may need to be updated with the DVLA and your insurer where required.

If you are unsure which system is suitable for your repair, choose based on the finish required, application method and safety setup available.

View our range of 2K car paint, hardeners and paint accessories.