paint estimate....whoaaaaa
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
paint estimate....whoaaaaa
well, i had a friend stop by and quote me on paint for my 77.... it's stripped and needs some body work...see picks in gallery..... he priced me at 4-5000 to do it with all included.... i thought that was high... he said he had to skim coat the whole car and block it all down..... also, he will be doing it after hours at his family collision shop....prolly 1 month till i get it in and 2 months max for turn around....... i think the price is high....... anyone else think it's high?
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
$5000 is just about right for a good driver paint job.
Mine took $5000 and 5 weeks. I delivered the car totally stripped, no trim, driver's seat only. The only parts they had to remove trim wise was the door locks (put new ones on) and door handles. They removed the hood, deck lid, headlights, doors and both bumpers to do a good job. They did not strip the old paint, sanded the car down, primed it, blocked, painted, wet sanded, buffed.
From this:
to my sig picture.
You get what you pay for.
Mine took $5000 and 5 weeks. I delivered the car totally stripped, no trim, driver's seat only. The only parts they had to remove trim wise was the door locks (put new ones on) and door handles. They removed the hood, deck lid, headlights, doors and both bumpers to do a good job. They did not strip the old paint, sanded the car down, primed it, blocked, painted, wet sanded, buffed.
From this:
to my sig picture.
You get what you pay for.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
I had mine torn down to a similar level, had some body work done and the seams glassed in. He also sealed and blocked the whole car, it seems that the stripping took it a little too close to the weave in places. It was then shot in base/clear coat.
To get the price down he worked on it during off times. He had it a year almost to the day, business was good at the time.
The total bill? $7500. That also included a new (oem junkyard)driver's door and hood. My original estimate was $4500, but there was much more damage that needed to be fixed correctly than I had originally thought. (Plus I think he jacked up the price because I was pretty easy going about the whole thing.) So I think $5000 is not too far off the mark. You might find someone to do it cheaper, but you have to consider the quality of the finished item. Fiberglass is somewhat of an art form. I might complain about the price tag, but I have never complained about the quality of the paint job.
To get the price down he worked on it during off times. He had it a year almost to the day, business was good at the time.
The total bill? $7500. That also included a new (oem junkyard)driver's door and hood. My original estimate was $4500, but there was much more damage that needed to be fixed correctly than I had originally thought. (Plus I think he jacked up the price because I was pretty easy going about the whole thing.) So I think $5000 is not too far off the mark. You might find someone to do it cheaper, but you have to consider the quality of the finished item. Fiberglass is somewhat of an art form. I might complain about the price tag, but I have never complained about the quality of the paint job.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
I guess I got one hell of a deal then, I just had my car painted, like steveG75. I took my car in with only the drivers seat and steering column,everything else was off. they stripped most of the old paint off, sprayed with a high build primer, me and my buddy did all the block sanding, ( took 3 days ), I purchased all the supplies neede for paint, costed me just around $600.00. they finished it off with a primer/sealer, 3 coats base, two coats clear, color sanded and buffed.. all for $800.00. Of course now it is the long and careful process of putting it all back together..worth all the extra work to save some bucks!
Can anyone tell me how to post pics so I can show the before and after pics,,,thanks
Can anyone tell me how to post pics so I can show the before and after pics,,,thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
My old neighbor built a paint booth in his home garage and does work on other cars. He use to work at a dealership body shop. I think he charges around $1,500 to $2,000 and he does all the prep work. My point is that you could ask around your area about folks like my old neighbor who know what they are doing but do it from home. Low overhead means better pricing.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Originally Posted by onaqwst
he priced me at 4-5000 to do it with all included.... anyone else think it's high?
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by Frankenvette
My old neighbor built a paint booth in his home garage and does work on other cars. He use to work at a dealership body shop. I think he charges around $1,500 to $2,000 and he does all the prep work. My point is that you could ask around your area about folks like my old neighbor who know what they are doing but do it from home. Low overhead means better pricing.
hhmmm, whitehall PA is not too far. When I am ready I may have to have you check to see if he is available!
;-)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Originally Posted by ShaneLU97
hhmmm, whitehall PA is not too far. When I am ready I may have to have you check to see if he is available!
;-)
;-)
Last edited by Frankenvette; Mar 24, 2005 at 09:09 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee KS
Originally Posted by c3 in hawaii
Can anyone tell me how to post pics so I can show the before and after pics,,,thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Think of it this way. A shop will probably need 100 hours of dismantle/prep/paint time at a minimum for a pretty solid car. Labour rates seem to range from $50-90/hr depending on the region of North America. That's $5,000-9,000. Add materials and taxes (if applicable).
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
For much less than 5k I can buy my own equipment, tarp the garage, and experiment until I get good enough to do it my self. I hate paying for stuff I could do myself. Remember, all it takes is one good rock off bubba's trailer and your 5k paint job will look just like mine. I also have to keep in mind that not everyone enjoys doing their own work. My $.02
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Originally Posted by c3 in hawaii
I guess I got one hell of a deal then, I just had my car painted, like steveG75. I took my car in with only the drivers seat and steering column,everything else was off. they stripped most of the old paint off, sprayed with a high build primer, me and my buddy did all the block sanding, ( took 3 days ), I purchased all the supplies neede for paint, costed me just around $600.00. they finished it off with a primer/sealer, 3 coats base, two coats clear, color sanded and buffed.. all for $800.00. Of course now it is the long and careful process of putting it all back together..worth all the extra work to save some bucks!
Can anyone tell me how to post pics so I can show the before and after pics,,,thanks
Can anyone tell me how to post pics so I can show the before and after pics,,,thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by Frankenvette
My old neighbor built a paint booth in his home garage and does work on other cars. He use to work at a dealership body shop. I think he charges around $1,500 to $2,000 and he does all the prep work. My point is that you could ask around your area about folks like my old neighbor who know what they are doing but do it from home. Low overhead means better pricing.
Drive the Vette to PA and have it done there. You're only two states away!
Last edited by AGVI; Mar 24, 2005 at 10:48 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
I agree with Kevinator. Anything you can do yourself...go ahead. Read about it first and learn what's involved. Once you get into it, you'll discover it's just "work". The things you can't do, such as brain surgery, are then best left to a pro. Painting a car isn't that hard. Then, when you get that first stone chip, you'll be able to fix it yourself for zero cost...except your own time. I love that!!
