Find auto body painting near me

Need to find a garage to handle an auto body paint near you? Whatever you need painting – whether it’s a car, a van, or another vehicle – it’s important to find a mechanic nearby who can help you out. The good news is that you can start searching with Checkatrade.

Pop your postcode into the search tool, and in an instant we’ll show you the Checkatrade garages and mechanics that operate in your area. It only takes a few minutes to find a tradesperson that works locally to you.

How finding auto body painting works

1. Search your postcode

Enter your postcode and we’ll help you browse tradespeople on Checkatrade who work locally to you.

2. Choose a tradesperson

Pick a tradesperson who offers services that fit your needs, and get in touch straight away to hire them.

3. Get your task done

Hire your chosen tradesperson to sort your task out for you. A job done right.

How do I find auto body painting near me? 

Why not use our search tool to find garages and mechanics that work in or near your local area? 

At Checkatrade, only tradespeople who pass our checks and are committed to meeting the Checkatrade Standard show up in any search. 

Enter your postcode in the search tool, hit the button, and you can start looking through relevant tradespeople offering car and vehicle body painting. 

Find auto body painting in your area

• Find auto body painting in London

• Find auto body painting in Birmingham

• Find auto body painting in Bristol

• Find auto body painting in Northampton

What is auto body painting?

Auto body painting is the process of repainting or touching up the paintwork on a vehicle. That might mean repairing cosmetic damage like scratches, scrapes, and faded paint on your car or van. Or it could mean a full respray after an accident or as part of a restoration project.

Most body painting jobs involve several steps. The surface needs to be stripped and smoothed, primed, colour-matched, then finished with a topcoat to protect the paint and give it that showroom shine.

There are different types of paint too - from metallic and pearlescent finishes to high-durability clear coats. So whether you’re covering up a scuffed bumper or going for a bold new look, it’s worth speaking to someone who knows their stuff.

Done right, auto body painting does a lot more than just boost your car’s appearance. It can help protect against rust, weather damage, and long-term wear - and in some cases, even increase your vehicle’s resale value.

How do auto body painters work?

Every vehicle painting job starts with a proper assessment. The painter or garage will look at the condition of the surface and the type of damage, and will chat with you to discuss what kind of finish you’re after. 

Here’s how the process usually works:

• Prep and sanding. This removes any damaged paint, rust or debris so they’ve got a smooth surface to work with.

• Priming and sealing. A primer coat helps the new paint stick and improves the final finish.

• Painting. Using a spray booth, they’ll apply several even coats of colour, often using a custom colour-matching system.

• Topcoat and polish. Finally, a clear protective layer is added for durability, then buffed to a high shine.

Can I paint my vehicle myself?

It’s possible, but be warned: DIY paint jobs are often trickier than they seem.

For small touch-ups, a repair kit might do the trick. But for anything bigger, especially repainting a whole panel or restoring faded paint, it’s best to leave it to someone with the right know-how.

They’ll have the knowledge, a controlled space (like a ventilated spray booth), and the right safety kit. Plus, you won’t have to worry about uneven coverage, dust in the paint, or getting halfway through and running out of paint.

How much does auto body painting cost?

According to our figures, the average cost to repaint a scratch in your car's paint is £60 to £210, while a full car respray costs about £2,400. 

The exact price you pay will depend on a number of factors, such as the current condition of the paintwork, the make and model of your car, and the type of finish you choose. 

For the full cost breakdown, read our complete guide to car paint repair costs.

Why use Checkatrade?

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Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.