Body off pricing?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 105
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From: Knoxville TN
Body off pricing?
I was reading the thread on prices for a paint job and was wondering what an average price was to get a shop to remove the body and paint/clean the frame as well. I would like to do it myself to save money but fear it may be above my abilities and resources ie garage space.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
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Originally Posted by 79tnvette
I was reading the thread on prices for a paint job and was wondering what an average price was to get a shop to remove the body and paint/clean the frame as well. I would like to do it myself to save money but fear it may be above my abilities and resources ie garage space.
Body shop paint job = $$$$
Body shop "body off" paint job = $$$$$$$$$$$$$
When you discover the price, you'll learn how to "do it yourself" real quick.
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Paint done right: $4,000 to $7,000
Body off frame: About $25,000 depending on how far you decide to go.
On a 79 Vette you will quickly exceed the value of the car if you just drop it off at a shop. You will need to learn how to do it. Maybe a friend with some experience can help you along the way. I did a frame off on my 65. It took two years and alot of time and money. I will never do a frame off again. It was satisfying, but one of those is enough.
Body off frame: About $25,000 depending on how far you decide to go.
On a 79 Vette you will quickly exceed the value of the car if you just drop it off at a shop. You will need to learn how to do it. Maybe a friend with some experience can help you along the way. I did a frame off on my 65. It took two years and alot of time and money. I will never do a frame off again. It was satisfying, but one of those is enough.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
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From: I can walk to MA
Lots of time and effort involved to do it right ... plus you never
know exactly what you will find. There could be big problems underneath.
You should commit to at least a couple years without driving your vette.
On the up side, it is nice to take care of everything and have (in essence) a new vette.
Also, at that point it is easier to upgrade to things like poly body muonts,
frame gussets, suspension rebuild, etc.
Depending on mileage and how the car was treated during it's life,
you might not need to "do it all". IMO all C3s would need more than clean and paint.
Good Luck
know exactly what you will find. There could be big problems underneath.
You should commit to at least a couple years without driving your vette.
On the up side, it is nice to take care of everything and have (in essence) a new vette.
Also, at that point it is easier to upgrade to things like poly body muonts,
frame gussets, suspension rebuild, etc.
Depending on mileage and how the car was treated during it's life,
you might not need to "do it all". IMO all C3s would need more than clean and paint.
Good Luck
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Land of Thunder
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
Sell it and buy one that's already done. You'll be time and $$ ahead, to say nothing of anguish. Once you turn your car over to the body shop, it'll be years before you see it again, unless you're real lucky. When I did my 69 Camaro, it took me 4 years and 3 painters to get the damn thing done. They'll tell you what you want to hear to get the job, but once it's in the shop, progress comes at a glacial pace.
Do I sound bitter? And this was 5 years ago when I finally got it back!
Do I sound bitter? And this was 5 years ago when I finally got it back!
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Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 357
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From: Toms River NJ
Is it expensive yes, is it worth it, maybe. After 30 years on the road some of our cars need so many things suspension and chassiswise it is helpful. It is SO SO MUCH easier with the body off. As far as cost, what I see alot of people do is have the shop pull the body, have the frame blasted, painted, and then bring it home. While the shop is working on the body they do the chassis at home. Doing the frame is no where as specialised as doing the body. Basically if you can turn a wrench you can do the frame. It really isn't that hard to pull the body off. Also as far as the time factor, find and use a good restoration shop not a bodyshop. The body shop may be the best around, and where you would want to take your car after an accident, but if they are not used to doing a real restoration they WILL have problems. You may wind up paying more at a restoration shop but it will be worth it in the long run. For a frame up job 6 months to a year would be a good range. More if problems arise. That's once the car gets in, most of the real restoration shops have a waiting list, some several years long.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
The reason doing a body off is expensive is normally everything is gone over. To do the frame correctly, media blast, dip, etc, everything must be removed. I've never done it, but it seems there is not a lot to unhook; cables, wires, hoses, steering. It's not a project, it's a career.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
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From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by NHvette
Lots of time and effort involved to do it right ... plus you never
know exactly what you will find. There could be big problems underneath.
You should commit to at least a couple years without driving your vette.
On the up side, it is nice to take care of everything and have (in essence) a new vette.
Also, at that point it is easier to upgrade to things like poly body muonts,
frame gussets, suspension rebuild, etc.
Depending on mileage and how the car was treated during it's life,
you might not need to "do it all". IMO all C3s would need more than clean and paint.
Good Luck
know exactly what you will find. There could be big problems underneath.
You should commit to at least a couple years without driving your vette.
On the up side, it is nice to take care of everything and have (in essence) a new vette.
Also, at that point it is easier to upgrade to things like poly body muonts,
frame gussets, suspension rebuild, etc.
Depending on mileage and how the car was treated during it's life,
you might not need to "do it all". IMO all C3s would need more than clean and paint.
Good Luck
NHVette has been there and I'm living it right now. I have aggressively worked on mine since last August (at least as soon as the garage cooled off enough to spend much time in there) and I still have a long way to go. I would say it's really the only way to go in my book. When you're done you will have rebuilt/replaced/repaired all the problem areas and you can truly enjoy driving a reasonably reliable car. Just take one task at a time and enjoy it, all the help you need is right here. 
If you really want a frame off and don't want to tackle it yourself, you would likely save money by selling your car and buying one that has been done this way.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
Well, I've been keeping track and it took 300hrs for me to complete the chassis (and it was it real good shape too). So, 300hrs x $45/hr = $13,500 and that's just labor. Add another few thou if you want to upgrade suspension and replace all bushings etc....
Then you still need to do the body, engine & drivetrain...
Then you still need to do the body, engine & drivetrain...
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Galloway NJ
$45 is a pretty generous labor rate at any good shop. I suppose a lot of that varies by region though.
On the other hand, it will likely take less time for someone to complete the chassis if they already have a few under their belt. So you may be looking at something more like 250 x $60/hr
On the other hand, it will likely take less time for someone to complete the chassis if they already have a few under their belt. So you may be looking at something more like 250 x $60/hr