The Best Car Paint (Review) in 2023 | Autance

First on our list of the best automotive paints is this Plasti Dip Rubber Coating from Performix. This multi-purpose paint comes in an 11oz can, and can be applied by spraying, brushing or dipping, leaving a matte black finish that wouldn’t look out of place on the Batmobile.

The durable formula is designed not to crack, and to resist damage from heat, moisture, vibration, acids and erosion. It’s ideal for spraying car rims, mirrors, grills or bumpers, and you could even use it to dip your whole car – although you would need to purchase 10+ cans for this. For best results, make sure to clean the area you’re spraying thoroughly first.

Coming in at a close second on our collection of the best automotive paint is this option from Rust-Oleum. This basecoat formula comes in a stylish chrome yellow that’s perfect for touching up the details of your car. You could also use it to cover your whole car, if you were to purchase multiple cans – it comes pre-thinned and ready to spray, which is great for convenience, but means it might not stretch as far as you think.

It dries quickly in 30 minutes, so you don’t need to worry too much about bugs getting stuck in it during application – although you do need to make sure each layer is completely dry before applying a new one. Once applied, it will also help to protect your car from rust – for the best and most durable results, it is recommended to apply the topcoat from the same range. If you’re happy to do this, the results can be very impressive, especially when polished.

If you’re looking to touch up the shine on your vehicle or accessories, this Dupli-Color Perfect Match Clear Coat might be for you. Available in an 8oz can, this premium auto paint is ready to spray onto your surface, and is perfect for applying on top of a basecoat to set your color and leave a high-gloss finish – just make sure your basecoat is fully dry first.

The top coat itself is quick to dry (30 minutes to touch, 1 hour to handle) and is formulated to match your OEM factory top coat. You might need to apply several coats to achieve an even finish, as the valve can be prone to clogging, which can cause large droplets in the spray. If you don’t mind spending a bit of time on it though, it is possible to achieve a high-quality, high-shine finish.

For Honda owners, this Honda Touch-Up Paint is the real deal, and is perfect for making your beloved automobile look as good as new. It’s suitable for a range of models, including 2008-2012 Accord, 2008-2010 Element, and 2008-2011 Civic – check your paint code against the manufacturer’s specifications to see if you’re covered. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you using it on other makes and models too, it just won’t be a perfect match.

The design features a double-ended pen that allows you to touch up both colored paint and top coat from the same device. The small size, non-clogging brush and foam applicator mean it’s perfect for touching up small scratches and imperfections in the surface of your vehicle. That’s about all it’s good for though – you won’t be re-painting any large surface areas or whole cars with this.

Perhaps you don’t need to add paint to your car to improve the paintwork, but just remove an existing scratch or blemish? If so, Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is here to help. This clever polishing compound uses micro-abrasive technology to remove light to moderate paint defects, oxidation, water marks and stains, to restore your finish just as quickly as many harsh abrasives.

It can be applied by hand to a clean, dry surface with a foam applicator or microfiber cloth, or using a dual-action polisher. The clear coat-safe formula allows you to achieve results quickly and without risk of further damage, and even enhances gloss at the same time. It does have its limitations – it won’t remove major damage and it doesn’t cover with new paint – but if you’ve only got a minor defect, this could be an easy and effective alternative to painting your car.

Next up is another option from Dupli-Color: their Paint Shop Finish System. This ready to spray lacquer is perfect for exterior bodywork projects, or those with more significant paintwork damage. It comes ready to spray (we recommend using an HVLP gun), and dries exceptionally quickly. There’s also no re-coat window, so you can reapply it at any time.

Be aware that the pre-reduced lacquer is quite thin, so you will most likely require multiple coats to achieve the look and color you want. It also requires a clear top coat, and even so, it has to be said that the finished result is not the most durable. If you’re careful to avoid scratches though, you should be ok.

This Automotive Enamel Gloss is the second Rest-Oleum product on our list. It’s another spray paint that can be applied directly from the can, so it’s great for those who don’t have, or want to invest in, a spray gun. The size does mean that’s less suitable for bigger projects –you will need to buy multiple cans to cover a large area or a whole vehicle.

Positive points to note are that the wide fan spray ensures as even and professional finish, and the paint is durable and UV-resistant. It’s perfect for touch-ups, and can be used to help prevent rust forming in scratches. There are some reports of the spray nozzles being broken or faulty, so make sure you check yours before you begin application, as a faulty nozzle could lead to a blotchy paint application.

This CRC Enamel Spray Paint is another great choice for those looking for coverage they can spray directly from the can. Although it’s not specifically designed for use on vehicles, this multi-purpose paint is still one of the best automotive spray paint in a can options for touch-ups, or spraying rims and accessories.

The finish is a smooth gloss black, which dries quickly (approximately 30 minutes) and doesn’t run. The formula is quite thin, so you will need several layers to achieve good coverage, and being an enamel paint, is does produce strong fumes during application. As with all the paints on this list, you should only use it outside, in a well-ventilated area, or with a respirator.

Rust can be devastating to a vehicle, so if yours is starting to show signs, consider investing in this Rust Inhibitor Paint from Rust Bullet. It’s suitable for a range of automotive applications, including frames, undercarriages and suspension, and will work to both stop existing rust, and prevent new rust from forming.

To apply, you have a choice of spraying, rolling or brushing it onto your surface. It’s a standalone paint, so no primer or top coat are required, making it a highly cost-effective and time-saving solution – although a top coat could be a good idea if you want your finish to be as durable as possible. Just make sure to apply at least 2 coats of paint first, letting each one fully dry for at least 2-6 hours. The finish is a UV and chip-resistant metallic gray, which will leave your vehicle gleaming and rust-free.

Last, but not least, on our list of the best spray paint for cars, is this PlastiKote Match Up Top Coat. This one is ideal for using over a colored base coat, to achieve a high gloss factory-style finish – although you could also use it on its own, as no primer or base coat is required, and the gloss can be applied directly from the can.

The paint is quick to dry, and the resulting finish will be scratch and rust-resistant. It’s ideal for touching up small scratches, water marks and defects in your bodywork. Just be aware that you may need a few layers, and there is the possibility of an uneven spray if you’re unlucky enough to get a can with a weak nozzle. This gloss makes a great additional purchase alongside many of the other paints on our list.