what exactly is a "respray"?
 

OK, may be a dumb question but what does it mean when a car has been "resprayed"? Is this different from being repainted? Thanks.

No difference. Just means it's been repainted.

Because UK car magazine, and it's been picked up in internetspeak.

Why do you ask? Are you looking at a car that has been resprayed?

Realize that a "respray" can mean quite a few things... ex: just a hood/bumper respray because of rock chips, a "full" respray but without disassembly of the car, a full frame-off respray, and everything in between.

So, if you are looking at a car and someone says it has had a respray, find out exactly what that consisted of.

Even though a "respray" is "repainting" the car, the connotation of a "respray" is that the car body structure was good and needed just a refresh to the paint due to either chips, scratches, color fade or maybe some small dings. But the bodywork was minimal and the new paint is just to refresh the look and not hide any real body damage that required a lot of prep work (bondo, etc.).

But, I also agree with Cuda911 ... a "respray" can mean more than just old paint to those who are not truly honest. It helps to have documentation on the reason for the respray, especially if you are considering buying.

I don't think it's a dumb question but devil is in details and defition of "respay". When I went for quote to very reputable body shop for a small scratch on a fender, he said they would paint the part of the panel that was scratched and then clear-coal the whole fender. For a large chip it would be the same thing. They would never do partial clear coat, so the whole panel would be resprayed even if small part was "re-painted".

I think there can be various levels of "respray". Some will retain most of the original paint some may not.

My interpretation :

Respray = Refresh

Repaint = Repair (body damage, rust, scratch, etc)

I had to have a "respray"when my drivers side stone guard area was removed. My painter was excellent and was a perfectionist. He had to paint almost the entire drivers side of the vehicle to get it to come out right. You cannot tell. However, I now will always have to explain why the "respray". So, in my case, when and if I sell, I will always have someone that will not believe my story because I have no documentation.

Respray usually means some portion of, or the entire car has been resprayed the SAME color. (per a painter pal) Repaint could indicate a color change...

Here, or anywhere else for that matter, the terms could be used interchangeably.

Good point. A "respray" tends to assume the car is painted the same color as well.

Yes, these words are really mean the same thing. But a "respray" tends to have the connotation of a "refresh" of the paint and not do to heavy body damage.

IMO, respray=repaint=new paint somewhere. An owner could have had tired paint that he wanted to repaint...or respray. If a car has been badly wrecked, I don't care what you call it, the car has new paint and body work.

UK, Europe, rest of world = Respray
North America = Repaint
Either can be done to various degrees, complete to partial, scuff and paint, repair and paint, all the way to a complete colour/color change.
Refresh = When wives, significant others go to the washroom together.

I guess we can all agree that both terms tend to be used interchangeably...Potatoe/potaughtoe

That depends too. Some go to the washroom to repaint their faces!

A wife refresh can be either a trip to the plastic surgeon or a trip to divorce court, depending on how you spray it.