How to Choose the Right Paint Supplier for Your Body Shop
When it comes to running a successful body shop, choosing the right paint supplier is crucial for delivering high-quality finishes that keep customers satisfied. The quality, consistency, and performance of the paint you use can make all the difference in achieving a professional result, and with so many options available, it’s essential to choose a supplier that fits your specific needs. This blog will walk you through some of the top paint suppliers in the industry and offer tips on how to select the right one for your body shop.
Why Choosing the Right Paint Supplier Matters
Before we dive into the top paint suppliers, let’s discuss why your choice of supplier is so important. High-quality automotive paint ensures that your body shop can deliver long-lasting, durable finishes that meet or exceed customer expectations. Additionally, reliable paint suppliers provide consistent products, technical support, and access to a wide range of colors and finishes, all of which help your shop run smoothly and efficiently.
A poor choice in supplier can lead to inconsistency in paint quality, longer drying times, and even customer complaints. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s important to work with a trusted supplier that not only offers top-notch products but also provides the support your body shop needs.
Top Paint Suppliers for Body Shops
Below are some of the most reputable paint suppliers in the automotive refinishing industry. These companies are known for their high-quality products, excellent customer support, and extensive range of paint options.
1. Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes
Sherwin-Williams is one of the most recognized names in the paint industry, and their automotive division offers a wide range of high-performance coatings for body shops. Sherwin-Williams paints are known for their superior coverage, quick drying times, and excellent durability. Whether you’re working on collision repair, custom refinishing, or general automotive painting, Sherwin-Williams provides options that cater to both waterborne and solvent-based applications.
- Durability: Sherwin-Williams paints are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, providing long-lasting protection and color retention.
- Color Match Technology: With their advanced color match systems, Sherwin-Williams ensures that your paint jobs are precise and consistent, even across complex colors.
Visit the official Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes website for more information.
2. PPG Automotive Refinish
PPG is another industry leader, offering an extensive range of automotive refinish products designed for body shops of all sizes. Known for their eco-friendly waterborne paints, PPG has become a go-to supplier for shops that prioritize sustainability and performance. PPG paints offer excellent coverage, color accuracy, and durability, making them a favorite for collision repair and custom paint work alike.
- Envirobase High Performance Line: PPG’s Envirobase line is a waterborne paint system that offers both high-quality results and reduced environmental impact.
- Global Presence: PPG’s extensive global network ensures quick access to products and technical support, no matter where your shop is located.
Check out the PPG Refinish for more details.
3. Axalta Coating Systems
Axalta is well-known for providing high-performance coatings to the automotive industry. With a focus on innovation, Axalta offers cutting-edge solutions for both body shops and OEMs. Their products are used in a wide range of applications, from commercial vehicles to personal cars. Axalta’s paint systems are known for their color accuracy, durability, and ease of application, making them an ideal choice for body shops looking to deliver premium results.
- Standox and Cromax: Axalta’s premium lines, Standox and Cromax, offer a wide range of color matching tools and fast-drying paints that help improve workflow and reduce cycle times in body shops.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Axalta is committed to sustainability, offering eco-friendly options that reduce VOC emissions while maintaining high performance.
For more information, visit Axalta Coating Systems.
4. BASF Glasurit
BASF is a global chemical company with a strong reputation in the automotive refinishing industry. Their Glasurit brand is known for its premium-quality paints and coatings, offering exceptional durability, vibrant color, and environmentally conscious options. BASF’s Glasurit line is highly regarded for its ease of application, making it a popular choice for body shops that prioritize both quality and efficiency.
- Color Accuracy: BASF’s advanced color matching system ensures precise results, reducing the need for rework and saving time.
- Environmentally Friendly: Glasurit’s waterborne paint systems offer body shops an eco-friendly option without sacrificing quality.
Explore the BASF Glasurit for more information.
5. AkzoNobel Sikkens
AkzoNobel is another major player in the automotive paint industry, with a focus on providing innovative solutions that meet the high demands of body shops. Their Sikkens brand offers a complete range of automotive refinishing products, from basecoats to clearcoats, designed to deliver superior finishes. Sikkens is especially known for its easy application, excellent flow, and high-gloss finishes.
- Sustainability Focus: AkzoNobel offers a range of sustainable products, including low-VOC and waterborne paints that help shops meet environmental regulations.
- High-Gloss Finishes: Sikkens is known for its outstanding high-gloss clearcoats, delivering showroom-quality finishes.
Learn more about AkzoNobel Sikkens at the AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings.
6. House of Kolor
If your body shop specializes in custom paint jobs or high-end finishes, House of Kolor is a brand worth considering. House of Kolor offers a wide range of vibrant colors, metallic finishes, and custom paint products that cater to the most creative applications. Their products are especially popular for custom vehicle projects, including hot rods, motorcycles, and specialty cars.
- Custom Finishes: House of Kolor’s extensive palette of custom paints includes metallics, pearls, and candies, allowing for truly unique finishes.
- Show-Quality Results: Their high-quality paints and clearcoats ensure that your custom work shines under any lighting condition.
For more on their custom solutions, visit House of Kolor.
7. Valspar Automotive
Valspar, a subsidiary of Sherwin-Williams, is another trusted brand in the automotive paint industry. Known for its high-performance refinishing products, Valspar offers a range of paints, primers, and clearcoats that are both durable and easy to apply. Valspar’s paints are formulated to provide excellent coverage and vibrant color retention, making them ideal for both collision repair and custom refinishing.
- Wide Range of Products: Valspar offers everything from undercoats and basecoats to clearcoats, ensuring that body shops have all the products they need for a complete refinishing job.
- Trusted Brand: With decades of experience, Valspar has built a reputation for reliability and performance in the automotive paint industry.
Learn more about Valspar Automotive at Sherwin-Williams Automotive.
How to Choose the Right Paint Supplier for Your Body Shop
With so many great options available, how do you choose the right paint supplier for your body shop? Here are a few key factors to consider:
1. Product Quality
The quality of the paint is paramount. Look for suppliers that offer high-performance products with excellent durability, color accuracy, and ease of application. It’s important to choose a supplier with a proven track record of delivering consistent, reliable results.
2. Color Matching Technology
Accurate color matching is critical in automotive refinishing, especially when dealing with collision repair. Choose a supplier that offers advanced color matching technology and a wide range of colors to ensure you can meet your customers’ expectations.
3. Environmental Impact
Many body shops are moving toward more sustainable practices, so it’s worth considering suppliers that offer eco-friendly paint systems. Waterborne paints, for example, are less harmful to the environment and meet stricter VOC regulations.
4. Technical Support and Training
A great paint supplier does more than just sell paint—they provide technical support and training to ensure you get the best results from their products. Look for suppliers that offer comprehensive support, whether it’s through online resources, in-person training, or customer service.
5. Availability and Distribution
Your paint supplier should have a strong distribution network to ensure that you always have access to the products you need. A reliable supplier will help you avoid delays caused by out-of-stock products or slow shipping times.

Choosing the right paint supplier is essential for ensuring high-quality results and maintaining the efficiency of your body shop. Whether you opt for a trusted brand like Sherwin-Williams, PPG, or BASF, or prefer a more specialized supplier like House of Kolor, make sure to choose a partner that meets your shop’s specific needs. By focusing on product quality, color matching, environmental impact, and customer support, you can select a paint supplier that helps your body shop deliver top-notch results every time.
For more information about paint booth solutions and customization options, visit the Platinum Finishing Systems.


