What you need to know about EVs and regular paint booths

The risks of paint booths to EVs

Paint booths produce high temperatures to bake in the glazes and paints used on vehicles. While this is generally safe for a standard car, paint booths can cause serious problems for EVs.

Extreme heat and humidity can damage the electrical components of an EV, including the battery, which is highly sensitive to temperature changes. The heat of a regular paint booth oven puts thermal stress on the battery, possibly damaging EV battery cells and reducing their efficiency and lifespan. This can cause long-term damage.

EV motors are powered by high-voltage electrical systems. Introducing high heat near these systems can pose a significant safety risk. The likelihood of electrical shorts, fires, or other accidents increases when an EV is exposed to high temperatures during the repainting or refinishing process.

Your owner’s manual will list your EV’s temperature limits during painting and drying. A professional should know these limits before they work on your vehicle.

Painting alternatives

Before a professional repaints your EV, they need to prepare accordingly. Proper PPE must be worn at all times, and all static charges must be grounded. The vehicle should be turned off and no voltage should be connected during the repair/repainting process.

After these preparations, the expert can use one or more of these methods to paint the vehicle.

Bring down the temperature

A simple way to avoid damage to your EV by a standard paint booth is not to use one at all. Instead, your painter can use a low-temperature drying method, such as advanced infrared drying technology. A UV base coat can offer further protection during the drying process.

Keep an eye on the temperature

For refinishing projects, a temperature monitoring system can help ensure critical components, including the battery pack and high-voltage systems, remain within safe temperature ranges. This prevents overheating and any correlated issues.

Ensure proper ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial when repainting or refinishing EVs. The painter’s workspace should have sufficient airflow so any fumes or heat generated can dissipate, reducing the risk of accidents.

Use different products

To limit how long your EV is exposed to heat, your painter may use immediate coat paints[AP1]  or finishing paints. Polyester putties, high-performance fillers, and quick-drying finishing paints can be dried at low temperatures (including room temperature) for brief periods, minimizing your EV’s time in the heat.

EV paint maintenance tips

Follow these tips to help your EV’s coat stay in good shape:

• Wash your EV every two weeks.
• Wax your EV every three months.
• Avoid harsh chemical cleaners and use soft cleaning implements like microfibre cloths.
• Get paint chips and scratches repaired promptly.

For questions about repainting your EV, speak to an expert at a NexDrive service centre.