Can You Paint Parking Sensors? (Solved)

The reason why you may be interested in painting your parking sensors is that you may have broken your old one. And the replacement is only available in colors that don’t match your vehicle.

If you don’t care much about aesthetics, you can replace the parking sensors and ignore the color mismatch. But if you are keen on looks, this will always bother you. You can paint a parking sensor to the ideal color that blends with your vehicle.

It is a quick and straightforward process that won’t take very long, especially when you consider the small surface area of the parking sensors. However, as you may have anticipated, there is a ‘but’.

Parking sensors are a delicate piece of equipment. More so, the eye part is responsible for detecting objects.

If you happen to get paint on it, the sensors may not work effectively. You, therefore, have to be very keen when painting parking sensors.

Should I Have Them Painted by a Pro?

This is an excellent idea, especially if you have no prior painting experience or are afraid that you may get paint on the eye of the sensor.

You should part with some cash than ruin a new sensor that was working perfectly fine by painting it wrong.

When you take your parking sensors to be painted by a professional, you will avoid getting too much base or clear on them. This can easily happen if you are not careful.

Can Paint Damage Parking Sensors?

While paint may not cause damage to parking sensors, it can obstruct the sensors’ ability to detect objects in their surroundings.

This can render the sensors ineffective in fulfilling their primary purpose. Failure to remove the paint from the sensors may eventually cause them to stop working altogether.

This is just how parking sensors are built. Let alone paint, even road salt and dust can mess with the sensors. This is why we are always recommended to wipe the sensors occasionally with a rag to remove salt and dust buildup.

The likelihood of salt or dust building up to the point that it affects the functioning of the parking sensors is relatively low.

Not unless you never wash your car. A simple car wash should get rid of any debris, dirt, salt, or objects getting in the way of the parking sensors.

Do Parking Sensors Come Painted?

Whether a parking sensor comes painted or colored depends heavily on where you are getting them from.

At the dealership, you are most likely to get parking sensors in black or silver. Therefore, if your car is white or red, you will have to paint it so that it can blend with the color of your vehicle.

In some instances, there are manufacturers of aftermarket parking sensors that make them in almost all colors. We are talking about black, grey, blue, green, red, and even white.

You have to be specific with the color you want, and it will be delivered to you. Comparing these two options, it just seems more convenient for you to get the parking sensor in your desired color than having to paint it.

Another thing that may happen is that depending on your relationship with the dealer. They can paint it for you.

If your car’s warranty is still active, the dealer is obliged to paint and install the new parking sensors for you.

What Paint Should be Used on Parking Sensors?

One would think that just because parking sensors are delicate, you must use special paint. This is, however, very far from the truth.

What you need is some sealer, then base paint followed by a coat or two of clear. This will hold for longer and won’t peel; neither will it crack.

From the experiences of most auto shop detailers, as long as you paint the parking sensor right, it should work just fine.

The cost of painting parking sensors by yourself is very cheap. You only need some little paint, and there are no special materials required.

So, there is no reason for you to drive around with an odd color-looking parking sensor on your car.

Are There Any Issues that May Arise from Painting Parking Sensors?

As great as painting parking sensors is, there are some potential risks. However, you don’t have to worry about any of these risks if you paint it correctly.

1)  The first risk is that the parking sensor may stop working completely. This will be a terrible experience, especially if the sensors are brand new.

Should you get too much paint on the parking sensors, there is a good chance that the layers of paint will prevent the sensor from detecting nearby devices. We have already explained how this happens.

2) Another risk associated with painting parking sensors is getting the wrong color paint. Car paint is very complicated, and if you are not careful, you can easily get it mixed up.

The results of doing this are devastating because you will have landed yourself in the same trouble you were avoiding – not getting the ideal match.

3) If painted poorly, it will start peeling and cracking after a while. Other than on parking sensors, any part of the car painted without proper sanding and prep work becomes difficult for the paint to hold. Eventually, it starts peeling.

Will My Sensors Work After Painting Them?

Why shouldn’t they work if you have painted them correctly? If you look at most aftermarket sensors, they come with instructions on how to paint them.

The manufacturers of these parking sensors know that people may need to paint them to blend with the overall look of the car.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to paint the parking sensors. And if it seems complicated for you, take them to the nearest auto body shop.

Regarding the movement of ultrasound, it can travel through layers of paint. However, it won’t be as sensitive because there will be something blocking it.

Even though several layers of paint may not be harmful, the parking sensors won’t be as effective.

When Painting Bumpers, Should I Paint Over Parking Sensors?

Does your bumper look worn out and old? Do you plan on repainting it? The best way to do so is to cover the parking sensors or remove the bumper and paint it by itself.

It is easy for one to forget about the presence of parking sensors on the bumpers. Therefore, when painting them, you splash layers and layers of paint, not knowing that you are suffocating the parking sensors.

If you look at what the guys at an auto body shop do, they usually remove the bumpers and paint them separately. They do this to avoid getting paint on areas that don’t need to be painted, such as the parking sensors.

Why Does My Painted Parking Sensor Beep Every Time I Reverse?

This is one of the aftermaths of painting the parking sensors wrongly. When you paint over the eye of the parking sensor, it will constantly beep when you reverse because it senses an object that is directly close to it.

This is why we are insisting on the importance of covering the eye when painting over parking sensors. The eye is the one that senses whether the objects surrounding your car are close enough to the point they can get knocked over.

To cover the sensor when painting it, always use clear plastic or a piece of glass. Alternatively, send them to the nearest body shop when you get parking sensors that you want to paint. The detailing experts should know what to do.

How Many Times Can I Paint Parking Sensors?

You can only paint your parking sensors once during their lifetime. Because the more you paint them, the more they become ineffective.

And why would you risk driving around with an ineffective parking sensor? If you have replaced your parking sensors and have repainted them, do not touch the parking sensors next time when painting the bumper. Leave them as they are.

Also, when painting the parking sensors, don’t be generous with the number of coats because more layers of paint affect the effectiveness of the sensors.

Can I Vinyl Wrap Parking Sensors?

A wrapped parking sensor should work just fine. However, wraps with metalized layers or chrome finishes are known to interfere with the normal functioning of parking sensors.

When you are at the detailing shop where you have taken your car for wrapping, these are some of the questions you should ask the detailer.

Find out the type of wrap being used. Is it the one with chrome or metalized finishes? Inquire if the detailer may have to make cuts on the parking sensors and leave them naked.

Even though vinyl wrapping seems like a great choice for changing the color of parking sensors, it is surrounded by a lot of confusion.

Some detailers claim that a wrapped parking sensor will work perfectly. Others say that it will be obstructed. The best way to find out is by identifying the material being used to wrap the car.

And confirm from the guy wrapping your vehicle whether the parking sensors will be working properly after that.