The invention is directed to a method for refinishing vehicles using infrared technology for drying and curing the paint coating. The method comprises the steps: A) applying a layer of a pigmented coating composition over a vehicle body or vehicle body part, subsequently applying a layer of clear coating composition, or applying alternatively a layer of pigmented top coating composition over the vehicle body or vehicle body part and B) curing the coating layers applied in step A), directly after completion of the application step, without interposing a final evaporation phase, by exposing to infrared radiation using a short-wave infrared radiator, a radiator distance in the range of 20 to 60 cm being adjusted and the quotient of radiator power in Kilowatt and radiator distance in centimeter ranges from 0.07 to 0.15.