Another Paint Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: Titusville FL
Another Paint Question
I am fairly new to the C3 world, but am looking at a few different C3's (1970-72). All are in very good shape, with good bodies and decent paint. On one or two of the cars I am looking at, the paint does have the regular road chips, etc. Essentially they are good "10 footers". If I plan on keeping the same color and just wanting to get the car painted to a good quality for a driver, what does everyone think the ballpark is for this?
In my searches on this topic, I have found estimates anywhere from $4k to $15k. I am not looking for a show car, but just a paint job that is fitting for a weekend driver.
In my searches on this topic, I have found estimates anywhere from $4k to $15k. I am not looking for a show car, but just a paint job that is fitting for a weekend driver.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Rossville Georgia
I am fairly new to the C3 world, but am looking at a few different C3's (1970-72). All are in very good shape, with good bodies and decent paint. On one or two of the cars I am looking at, the paint does have the regular road chips, etc. Essentially they are good "10 footers". If I plan on keeping the same color and just wanting to get the car painted to a good quality for a driver, what does everyone think the ballpark is for this?
In my searches on this topic, I have found estimates anywhere from $4k to $15k. I am not looking for a show car, but just a paint job that is fitting for a weekend driver.
In my searches on this topic, I have found estimates anywhere from $4k to $15k. I am not looking for a show car, but just a paint job that is fitting for a weekend driver.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Price will depend on who paints the car; if you do it yourself, you save the expense of paying a professional for his/her expertise. That could be a good or a bad thing depending on your painting skills.
Ditto on the prep work; if you do it, you don't have to pay them to do it.
Ditto on the prep work; if you do it, you don't have to pay them to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
My neighbor just had a 82' Camaro Pace Car painted at the local Maaco shop. He did all the prep work, trim removal and bought the paint himself. Cost him only 350 bucks for the spray job and it looks pretty good.
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
You should be able to remove the hardware from the car and strip the paint yourself. Then cost is prep work and paint and materials by a paint shop. Just use good materials which will not be cheap. Cut corners on paint and base material and it will bite your behind!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
LOL Maaco is only $249 this week! I done this once to a Vega and believe it or not.. it wasn't that bad. I had made sure the body was in good shape and they taped it off and sprayed it..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,222
Likes: 4,312
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi SC,
Often when the car is painted the new paint makes the rest of the exterior look a bit shabby. The paint job might lead to some new chrome plating and new trim. Perhaps you need to consider that too when you're thinking of costs.
I've never seen a Corvette that didn't need at least some body work once the paint is off.
Regards,
Alan
Often when the car is painted the new paint makes the rest of the exterior look a bit shabby. The paint job might lead to some new chrome plating and new trim. Perhaps you need to consider that too when you're thinking of costs.
I've never seen a Corvette that didn't need at least some body work once the paint is off.
Regards,
Alan
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
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From: Stevens Point WI
Hi SC,
Often when the car is painted the new paint makes the rest of the exterior look a bit shabby. The paint job might lead to some new chrome plating and new trim. Perhaps you need to consider that too when you're thinking of costs.
I've never seen a Corvette that didn't need at least some body work once the paint is off.
Regards,
Alan
Often when the car is painted the new paint makes the rest of the exterior look a bit shabby. The paint job might lead to some new chrome plating and new trim. Perhaps you need to consider that too when you're thinking of costs.
I've never seen a Corvette that didn't need at least some body work once the paint is off.
Regards,
Alan
Thats when you learn how to lay glass!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 415
From: N J
DIY has it's virtues. I did all the work and painted my two for the cost of materials. They're both 10 footers, but passable for a beginner.
Not trying to hijack the thread, just curious what breathing equipment you used Mike. I want to try doing my 68 myself. I see a fresh air supply for 400.00 and was considering it. I bought the primer to seal the car, read the back of the can and got cold feet. Thank you.
Like lots of guys have said, knock down the cost by doing as much prep as possible at home. I am at the point right now on my 68 where it needs a good sanding and then ready to prime. Suprisingly enough, I had to "make" some wheelwell edges and for a 1st timer they came out pretty good if I say so myself. Once I gained a little confidence, it kept driving me to continue. Fixed several cracks at bonding stripps, improved door gaps, and just a whole lot of little cracks here and there in the body. So far the most work was removing all the paint. I know the body is a lot better than before I started. Not trying to make the worlds most perfect 68, just a clean, presentable, fun driver works for me ! Good luck.
Not trying to hijack the thread, just curious what breathing equipment you used Mike. I want to try doing my 68 myself. I see a fresh air supply for 400.00 and was considering it. I bought the primer to seal the car, read the back of the can and got cold feet. Thank you.
Like lots of guys have said, knock down the cost by doing as much prep as possible at home. I am at the point right now on my 68 where it needs a good sanding and then ready to prime. Suprisingly enough, I had to "make" some wheelwell edges and for a 1st timer they came out pretty good if I say so myself. Once I gained a little confidence, it kept driving me to continue. Fixed several cracks at bonding stripps, improved door gaps, and just a whole lot of little cracks here and there in the body. So far the most work was removing all the paint. I know the body is a lot better than before I started. Not trying to make the worlds most perfect 68, just a clean, presentable, fun driver works for me ! Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
I agree with the others, save a lot of mony doing the prep yourself.
As for Macco? This Impala was painted at Macco for $350.00 of course I did all the prep.
As for Macco? This Impala was painted at Macco for $350.00 of course I did all the prep.
Last edited by 427basketcase; Dec 29, 2010 at 06:10 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
I was kidding about Maaco but OMG that Impala is hot in the pix.. So how do I fix all the cracks in the finders? Also do I need to take all the old paint off?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=111&TopicID=3
Give this a read and put some cash in your pocket!
Give this a read and put some cash in your pocket!
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
If you want a good looking paint job you must have a perfect surface for it to be applied to, so yes, get all of the old paint off and build the surface back up with a good sandable primer. The cracks should be repaired when there is no paint or primer on the car.
The Impala looks good because I spent about 30-40 hours on the bodywork and preparation before it entered the paint booth.
90% of a good paint job is the prep work, so as stated earlier if you can do most of that yourself then you can save a lot of money.
It might seem a little overwhelming when you start, so just do one area at a time and learn tricks and techniques as you go, so pick someplace that doesn't need repair like a door and just concentrate on that until your satisfied and move to the next area and so on.
Your local paint supply store is a good place to learn also, I ask as many questions there as I can when I'm buying my supplies and of course here on the forum there is a lot of knowledge to share.
Good luck, and be sure to post pics along the way.