Paint Shops
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Palmdale CA.
Paint Shops
Am allmost ready for paint, been looking around for prices and how long it will take, I have got quotes as short as 3 weeks and as long as 3 months, I think 3 months is more realistic, and prices as low as 2500.00 to 10,000, thanks in advance
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
If there's no major body work needed, 3 weeks and $2,500 is more realistic. How many hours do they really need to sand and paint?
I've had a lot of Corvettes painted and never pay more than $2,500. When I talk to other owners who tell me they've paid $8,000 to $10,000 just for prep and paint, I think they either have more money than brains, they don't have any friends in the business or they've just been suckered.
Break it down so you get a realistic picture:
Maybe $300 to $400 in materials and say they work on the car for a solid 3 days, non-stop at 8 hours a day to sand it down and then spray it. At $50 per hour that's only $1,200 in labor. Even if you up it to $75 per hour that's still only $1,800 in labor.
Thay can't really charge you for the time the car sits around drying or collecting dust.
A $10,000 paint job billed at $75 per hour (which is high for a body shop) would mean they are either working on your car for a real133 hours (that's 16 solid 8 hour days) or they're charging you $416 per hour.
No way, man.
Good luck,
Greg
I've had a lot of Corvettes painted and never pay more than $2,500. When I talk to other owners who tell me they've paid $8,000 to $10,000 just for prep and paint, I think they either have more money than brains, they don't have any friends in the business or they've just been suckered.
Break it down so you get a realistic picture:
Maybe $300 to $400 in materials and say they work on the car for a solid 3 days, non-stop at 8 hours a day to sand it down and then spray it. At $50 per hour that's only $1,200 in labor. Even if you up it to $75 per hour that's still only $1,800 in labor.
Thay can't really charge you for the time the car sits around drying or collecting dust.
A $10,000 paint job billed at $75 per hour (which is high for a body shop) would mean they are either working on your car for a real133 hours (that's 16 solid 8 hour days) or they're charging you $416 per hour.
No way, man.
Good luck,
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Sure, I've been using Desi's Auto Body in Palm Springs. He's right at the I-10 off ramp and Indian Canyon, so he's easy to get to. You can reach him at 760-288-3855. I'll give him a "heads up" you're going to call.
Tell him you're Greg's friend with the Corvette.
Tell him you're Greg's friend with the Corvette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
If there's no major body work needed, 3 weeks and $2,500 is more realistic. How many hours do they really need to sand and paint?
I've had a lot of Corvettes painted and never pay more than $2,500. When I talk to other owners who tell me they've paid $8,000 to $10,000 just for prep and paint, I think they either have more money than brains, they don't have any friends in the business or they've just been suckered.
Break it down so you get a realistic picture:
Maybe $300 to $400 in materials and say they work on the car for a solid 3 days, non-stop at 8 hours a day to sand it down and then spray it. At $50 per hour that's only $1,200 in labor. Even if you up it to $75 per hour that's still only $1,800 in labor.
Thay can't really charge you for the time the car sits around drying or collecting dust.
A $10,000 paint job billed at $75 per hour (which is high for a body shop) would mean they are either working on your car for a real133 hours (that's 16 solid 8 hour days) or they're charging you $416 per hour.
No way, man.
Good luck,
Greg
I've had a lot of Corvettes painted and never pay more than $2,500. When I talk to other owners who tell me they've paid $8,000 to $10,000 just for prep and paint, I think they either have more money than brains, they don't have any friends in the business or they've just been suckered.
Break it down so you get a realistic picture:
Maybe $300 to $400 in materials and say they work on the car for a solid 3 days, non-stop at 8 hours a day to sand it down and then spray it. At $50 per hour that's only $1,200 in labor. Even if you up it to $75 per hour that's still only $1,800 in labor.
Thay can't really charge you for the time the car sits around drying or collecting dust.
A $10,000 paint job billed at $75 per hour (which is high for a body shop) would mean they are either working on your car for a real133 hours (that's 16 solid 8 hour days) or they're charging you $416 per hour.
No way, man.
Good luck,
Greg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
Originally Posted by big_G
Don't take offense...but many here have paid 7 to 10k. Are we all stupid? Maybe it's been a few years since you worked in a body-shop. Any DuPont base, regardless of color, is at least $200 per gallon. Torch red is around $420 per gallon. Good clear is about $180 per gallon with catalyst. I can't spray a car for less than $1,200 paint and materials. If you think you can dismantle a 'Vette, including all bumpers and trim, strip and paint, then re-assemble wet-sand and polish in 3 days, your not human. I'll guess that most quality paint work involves at least 120 to 160 hours. Then again, you could always use Earl Schieb or Maaco.
Greg what type of paint jobs are you getting at that price? Do they wetsand and prep the car right before they paint or are you responsible for doing all of that?
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
big_G,
No offense taken but break down the numbers you've posted. 160 hours is 20 non-stop-8 hour days on one car. If it took that long to paint any car the industry simply could not support it and would go broke. I send my cars in minus bumpers, lights, door handles, etc. and re-assemble myself. I don't do any body work. They do all prep work and paint.
I agree Earl Schieb & Maaco are about the lowest quality you can buy. I've never used them. I always go to a legitimate body shop, I always pay $2,500 or less and the cars always look great. In fact, several of my cars have won trophys. I must be doing something right.
LittleJake,
I remove all the chrome, lights, bumpers, etc. because I'm fussy and prefer to inspect, clean, replace and re-install all necessary parts myself. I bring them the car with all blemishes, scratches, old paint. etc. I don't do any of the body work. I usually get the car back in about 2 weeks.
Best,
Greg
No offense taken but break down the numbers you've posted. 160 hours is 20 non-stop-8 hour days on one car. If it took that long to paint any car the industry simply could not support it and would go broke. I send my cars in minus bumpers, lights, door handles, etc. and re-assemble myself. I don't do any body work. They do all prep work and paint.
I agree Earl Schieb & Maaco are about the lowest quality you can buy. I've never used them. I always go to a legitimate body shop, I always pay $2,500 or less and the cars always look great. In fact, several of my cars have won trophys. I must be doing something right.
LittleJake,
I remove all the chrome, lights, bumpers, etc. because I'm fussy and prefer to inspect, clean, replace and re-install all necessary parts myself. I bring them the car with all blemishes, scratches, old paint. etc. I don't do any of the body work. I usually get the car back in about 2 weeks.
Best,
Greg
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Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 594
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From: Peoria IL
I have posted this before on other recent similar threads :-
Mine is in for pain at the moment , having full respray , fades painted on and clearcoated over the top .
I drove the car in as is and they are doing the lot from removing everything including the old decals to full reassebly , gonna cost the wrong side of 6K
But its gonna look great
Mine is in for pain at the moment , having full respray , fades painted on and clearcoated over the top .
I drove the car in as is and they are doing the lot from removing everything including the old decals to full reassebly , gonna cost the wrong side of 6K
But its gonna look great
Last edited by britvette; Mar 14, 2007 at 11:46 AM.