paint job

Noun

paint job (plural paint jobs)

1. The act, or the result of painting or repainting something
   • His car has a great new paint job.
   • Hidden timber elements, lintels and roof tiles have also been replaced, in addition to gaining a new paint job and guttering drainage, and the removal of ivy that was damaging the exterior.2023 March 8, “Network News: Pwllheli 'box gets a makeover”, in RAIL, number 978, page 22
2. (figuratively) A modification to something which appears flashy or impressive but is actually superficial.
   • "Some seem to think that the Gun Metal Gray is just a "paint job", which it is not," wrote Konami's community relations operatives in a recent public forum post.2008 May 30, Earnest Cavalli, “Konami: Gun Metal PlayStation 3 Not 'Just a Paint Job'”, in Wired, San Francisco, C.A.: Condé Nast Publications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 14 Apr 2021
   • With a smooth screenplay from former Buffy: The Vampire Slayer writer, Marti Noxon, and a re-tooled story from original writer/director Tom Holland, Fright Night circa-2011 feels like more than a just shiny new 3D paint job.2011 August 19, Daniel D. Snyder, “'Fright Night': Telling a Nerds vs. Jocks Tale, With Vampires”, in James Bennet, editor, The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC...