Cost of decent paint job
#1
Drifting
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Cost of decent paint job
After seeing the photos of C-1's and C-2's on the other thread, I'm thinking of having my 62 repainted. It's 97% original paint with all the touch-ups and typical paint cracks to substantiate it, making it a good 20 footer. I haven't been around classics for decades so was wondering what does a decent paint job cost these days? I know it can all depends on what level of strip and paint the shop would do, but I would appreciate and comments that give me a price range to consider.
Butch
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06-05-2018, 10:11 AM
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Well.....here we go again.
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#3
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you opened a can of worms. Prices vary. I would suggest taking it around to some of the body shops also talk to anyone who has done the job and get a good referral from there figure out what you need to do or spend to do.
#4
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For a "decent" job, materials will be around $2K. Been awhile since I had one painted so prices could have risen. You did say "decent" and not a show job, didn't you?
Materials are basically a fixed cost. The "variables" will vary wildly and so will the price.
Go to a shop you trust and get an estimate based on your expectations.
Materials are basically a fixed cost. The "variables" will vary wildly and so will the price.
Go to a shop you trust and get an estimate based on your expectations.
#5
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Original paint, even with some patina, isn't such a bad thing. I would even consider keeping it the way it is. Maybe a good buffing and polish. But if you decide to paint it, $20,000 is a pretty fair ballpark figure in my neck of the woods.
If you can do some of the prep work yourself, you will save alot of money.
If you can do some of the prep work yourself, you will save alot of money.
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#10
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After seeing the photos of C-1's and C-2's on the other thread, I'm thinking of having my 62 repainted. It's 97% original paint with all the touch-ups and typical paint cracks to substantiate it, making it a good 20 footer. I haven't been around classics for decades so was wondering what does a decent paint job cost these days? I know it can all depends on what level of strip and paint the shop would do, but I would appreciate and comments that give me a price range to consider.
Butch
Butch
Last edited by CorvetteMikeB; 06-05-2018 at 11:01 AM. Reason: spelling
#11
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I was reading this and thinking 2K for materials was too high but it's not. I do my own paint so I went and dug up some receipts. I know every time I come back from the paint shop I am bitching about the prices. I only found a couple but came up with $50 for a PINT of basecoat, plain old basecoat reducer was $85 a gallon, and clearcoat activator was $25 a pint. Now think about 2 gallons or so of 2k primer + activator, body fillers, a gallon probably more of basecoat + reducer, then a gallon or more of clearcoat and activators. Yep probably right. Good luck
#12
Safety Car
Strip it your self it is a lot of fun! You should be abel to buy materials for under two grand! If you have a garage you can turn it into a paint booth. You should have two guns one for primer and one for finish. The only problem if you are using base coat clear coat is you need heat for the clear. May be you can rent a booth for that. I would use PPg for they have videos you can review to help you in your challenge. Good Luck!
#13
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Don’t forget fiberglass repair. My 64 had about 20 small cracks that needed fixing.
Also, any good painter won’t let you do ANY prep other than disassembly.
Also, most painters don’t dig it when somebody says “decent” or “driver” paint job because the customer end up with “show car” expectations.
Budget $15-25k
Also, any good painter won’t let you do ANY prep other than disassembly.
Also, most painters don’t dig it when somebody says “decent” or “driver” paint job because the customer end up with “show car” expectations.
Budget $15-25k
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#14
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Sorry, didn't mean to ask a stupid question or open and old wound by asking "how long is a piece of string", but I did get the answer I was looking for.........which is very expensive. I need to try the buff and polish route 1st, as suggested by Capevetts, as I can do a lot to this car for $20K. Wow! Prices have certainly changed in the past few decades.
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
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Sorry, didn't mean to ask a stupid question or open and old wound by asking "how long is a piece of string", but I did get the answer I was looking for.........which is very expensive. I need to try the buff and polish route 1st, as suggested by Capevetts, as I can do a lot to this car for $20K. Wow! Prices have certainly changed in the past few decades.
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
Best thing in my book is to do the best you can with your original paint. Cheapest and most desirable to many.
#16
Race Director
The base coat paint on my blue car (lots of pearl) was $1600 for a gallon (cost, not marked up) in 2008.
Total cost out the door was about $8500, which included about $1500 of body work, fixing stress cracks and stuff. I did all the R&R of chrome, trim, and interior.
Note how straight the body is. Yes, its show car paint.
Doug
Total cost out the door was about $8500, which included about $1500 of body work, fixing stress cracks and stuff. I did all the R&R of chrome, trim, and interior.
Note how straight the body is. Yes, its show car paint.
Doug
I was reading this and thinking 2K for materials was too high but it's not. I do my own paint so I went and dug up some receipts. I know every time I come back from the paint shop I am bitching about the prices. I only found a couple but came up with $50 for a PINT of basecoat, plain old basecoat reducer was $85 a gallon, and clearcoat activator was $25 a pint. Now think about 2 gallons or so of 2k primer + activator, body fillers, a gallon probably more of basecoat + reducer, then a gallon or more of clearcoat and activators. Yep probably right. Good luck
Last edited by AZDoug; 06-05-2018 at 12:18 PM.
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Sorry, didn't mean to ask a stupid question or open and old wound by asking "how long is a piece of string", but I did get the answer I was looking for.........which is very expensive. I need to try the buff and polish route 1st, as suggested by Capevetts, as I can do a lot to this car for $20K. Wow! Prices have certainly changed in the past few decades.
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
It’s just that this question has resulted in a lot of conflict in the past. It happens. Keep asking questions regardless.
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Jhickey (09-16-2020)
#18
Sorry, didn't mean to ask a stupid question or open and old wound by asking "how long is a piece of string", but I did get the answer I was looking for.........which is very expensive. I need to try the buff and polish route 1st, as suggested by Capevetts, as I can do a lot to this car for $20K. Wow! Prices have certainly changed in the past few decades.
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback!!!
Butch
I'm glad to say that I'm not in the market to have my cars painted or my pocket picked.
I know this doesn't fit your situation but the very best advice I can give people when considering purchasing a vintage Vette is to buy one that has recently been painted by the previous owner..it'll save you plenty in more ways than one.
Last edited by Bowlerdude; 06-05-2018 at 12:42 PM.
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#20
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If that was all they were doing you would be correct....but that isn’t all. Sanding, sanding and more sanding before paint after each coat of clear....you want it right? You got to pay unless you can do it yourself.....but sanding and more sanding costs.....
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