What 'lifetime' means
Lifetime warranty applies for as long as you own the vehicle. It transfers nothing when you sell — the warranty is yours, not the car's. Some shops offer transferable warranties for an added fee.
What's actually covered — and why it matters.
Most reputable body shops offer a 'lifetime paint warranty' on refinish work. Here's what that actually means, what's covered, what isn't, and why it should be a baseline expectation when choosing a body shop.
Airpark Auto Collision of Gaithersburg — 7615 Rickenbacker Dr, Suite C, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Call (301) 908-0606
Lifetime warranty applies for as long as you own the vehicle. It transfers nothing when you sell — the warranty is yours, not the car's. Some shops offer transferable warranties for an added fee.
Paint failure due to materials or workmanship: peeling, blistering, cracking, fading, or color shift not caused by external damage. The shop will refinish the affected area at no charge if the failure is from their work.
Damage caused by accidents, vandalism, environmental conditions (acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings, gasoline), improper washing (automated brushes), or modifications you make to the vehicle. Normal wear from age, sun, and exposure is typically not covered either.
A shop willing to back its paint for life is a shop that's confident in its materials, application, and process. It's also a signal that the shop expects to be in business long enough to honor the warranty — which is its own filter.
Usually no — lifetime warranties are tied to the original customer, not the vehicle. Some shops offer transferable warranties for an extra fee.
If it's a materials or workmanship issue (not external damage), it's covered. Bring it in and we'll inspect — if it's our fault, we refinish at no charge.
Among reputable collision repair shops in Maryland, yes. Less reputable shops sometimes offer only 1–3 year warranties. Lifetime should be the floor, not the ceiling.