Please paint my Vette!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Re: Please paint my Vette! (Huzker)
Though our cars are expensive, that's outragous! 4-5K is not unheard of. The decal kit is $300 almost anywhere you look. I want mine repainted, but don't have the funds. Keep looking around, particularly at the smaller private shops. Sometimes they do better work anyway, and would love to have your business. Keep in mind all of the decal work, and matching 2 colors of paint (and silver at that, which is hard as hell to match)!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 36,112
Likes: 8
From: Hotlanta GA
Cruise-In 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08, '15
Re: Please paint my Vette! (Neo Fender)
The way I see it, anyone who can turn a wrench on a corvette can probably paint one too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 1
Re: Please paint my Vette! (theanswriz42)
$6500 for full body prep and good quality paint on a Corvette in Colorado is probably a pretty decent deal, considering all the labor. However, would you believe I was quoted $14,600 to paint my Corvette? That is more than the Corvette cost to purchase! For Colorado, that is definitely excessive.
I don't think Maaco is the answer either, because I've seen them paint over everything unmasked...door locks, chrome, marker lights, you name it. It's pure high volume productivity. The one good thing about Maaco is that they don't have any problem with letting you do the body work. Most shops here do. They say they won't "guarantee it" if they don't have control over everything...
Is it control? Or fear of lost profits?
Because like Lars said, I don't think there's a helluva lot to painting a car. But the technique is important. On something as special as my Corvette, I'd prefer to save up the cash and pay someone 6 grand to do beautiful work the first time...provided I'm allowed to strip and repair fiberglass, which seems to be the biggest challenge winning over these guys.
But 14.6 grand for a paint job??? Yikes!
:eek:
I don't think Maaco is the answer either, because I've seen them paint over everything unmasked...door locks, chrome, marker lights, you name it. It's pure high volume productivity. The one good thing about Maaco is that they don't have any problem with letting you do the body work. Most shops here do. They say they won't "guarantee it" if they don't have control over everything...
Is it control? Or fear of lost profits?
Because like Lars said, I don't think there's a helluva lot to painting a car. But the technique is important. On something as special as my Corvette, I'd prefer to save up the cash and pay someone 6 grand to do beautiful work the first time...provided I'm allowed to strip and repair fiberglass, which seems to be the biggest challenge winning over these guys.
But 14.6 grand for a paint job??? Yikes!
:eek:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: Please paint my Vette! (MoMo)
I also got a 10k quote on a paint job. That was right after the guy told me the car is a piece of junk and not worth the money. :bs That was also the only place that would give me a quote. The rest say they only do insurance work. I am doing it myself this winter. Even if it's not completely perfect, I would rather tackle it myself than give it to these body shop thieves. I don't really know what makes them think they're worth so much $$$$$. They might be professionals, but there was a time in their life when they had never painted a car as well. If they can learn it, I can learn it.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga.
Got a question about painting. Im working on a 78 S/A and I want to paint my door jambs, are there any ready made rattlecans in the silver, or has anyone had any experience with the preval system?
Im going to do as much prep as I can, and hope to find someone who loves old cars to spray mine. And offer them all the pictures they want when finished to help them advertise there auto body buisness.
Im going to do as much prep as I can, and hope to find someone who loves old cars to spray mine. And offer them all the pictures they want when finished to help them advertise there auto body buisness.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
I agree with Lars, I just had mine done and it was about what you're being quoted. I didn't think I had much body work but there were several places that needed attention and it doesn't take long to add up.
My guy charged me $40/hour too which is way under what they normally get in my area.
Check out the prices for paint, primer, sealer, sandpaper, filler, etc and you'll be surprised how expensive stuff is and then add the $xx/hour labor costs. The cost just for the paint for my car was $1100; that's just the final coat not the primer. He did not mark it up like most shops might.
My guy charged me $40/hour too which is way under what they normally get in my area.
Check out the prices for paint, primer, sealer, sandpaper, filler, etc and you'll be surprised how expensive stuff is and then add the $xx/hour labor costs. The cost just for the paint for my car was $1100; that's just the final coat not the primer. He did not mark it up like most shops might.
Last edited by TopGunn; Nov 1, 2010 at 12:21 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Oakwood GA
Those two tone paint jobs are pricey, but shouldn't be that pricey. Also consider that you have to buy the striping kits for the car as well--a couple hundred dollars for that, too, if I remember right.
When I get mine painted, I'm afraid I'm just going to get it painted red. I like the two tone, but for a car with a growing number of non-original sorts of stuff on it (later seats, radio, engine parts, etc.), it doesn't seem worth it to keep it that way.
JB
'78SA
When I get mine painted, I'm afraid I'm just going to get it painted red. I like the two tone, but for a car with a growing number of non-original sorts of stuff on it (later seats, radio, engine parts, etc.), it doesn't seem worth it to keep it that way.
JB
'78SA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
That is indeed a lot of money for the price of painting a corvette. Shooting the paint is the easiest part of the job. As we are all aware that prep/body work is labor intensive as well as the cost for materials are expensive. The cost for a decent paint job in some cases costs more than the vehicle is worth. Maybe Macco may be the way to go. Remember most macco shops are independently owned and operated. Some of us look down on macco due to personal experience or hearsay. Some "professonal" painters do also because they lose the lucrative price tag that comes with working on corvettes. Body shops will also will put a corvette or any classic car on the back burner for more insurance claims/work (quanity) and also due to some of our unrealistic expectations of what a paint job costs and how the car should look. I say go for it, learn how to prep and paint your corvette.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Nov 1, 2010 at 10:00 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Several years ago I had some hail damage to my paint and the insurance adjuster came out and cut me a check on the spot for $2500 to have it repainted. I was satisfied for about 2 hours until I found out that it was going to cost me $5000 to have it painted.
If it comes to paying almost as much or maybe more than the car is worth to have it painted, it's definitely time to get dirty or go to maico.
If it comes to paying almost as much or maybe more than the car is worth to have it painted, it's definitely time to get dirty or go to maico.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 33
From: ct
Hate to tell you this, but $10K is about what you should expect to pay for a nice job out in CA. This is due in part to labor rates out there. Here in CO, our body shop labor rates just went to about $40 per hour. In CA, your shops are running about $75. These rates are set by the insurance industry, and a shop isn't going to discount its rate to do a resto job.
It takes at about 120 hours of hard-core work to prep and paint a C3 (3 weeks full time work for one guy). If you do it in less, you're cutting corners. Material costs to do it right run just over $1,200 (that's my cost, and I don't pay retail). 120 hours times $40 is $4800 just for labor, and that assumes that the car does not need much, if any, body work - that's just prep, disassemble, sand, strip, prime, block-and-re-prime, paint, clearcoat, sand and rub. Add the $1200 in materials, and I quote $6500 as an entry-level price for a C3 paint job in Colorado. Since your labor rates are at $75-80/hour, it puts your base entry-level labor at $9000 (for 120 hours work), and add at least $1200 for materials, and the cost is right up over $10K for something decent. Sounds about right to me. A guy who is good isn't going to work for $20 an hour. Makes doing it yourself seem pretty attractive, eh? Drop me a note if you want a copy of my paper on how to do it yourself.
[Modified by lars, 12:25 PM 10/30/2001]
It takes at about 120 hours of hard-core work to prep and paint a C3 (3 weeks full time work for one guy). If you do it in less, you're cutting corners. Material costs to do it right run just over $1,200 (that's my cost, and I don't pay retail). 120 hours times $40 is $4800 just for labor, and that assumes that the car does not need much, if any, body work - that's just prep, disassemble, sand, strip, prime, block-and-re-prime, paint, clearcoat, sand and rub. Add the $1200 in materials, and I quote $6500 as an entry-level price for a C3 paint job in Colorado. Since your labor rates are at $75-80/hour, it puts your base entry-level labor at $9000 (for 120 hours work), and add at least $1200 for materials, and the cost is right up over $10K for something decent. Sounds about right to me. A guy who is good isn't going to work for $20 an hour. Makes doing it yourself seem pretty attractive, eh? Drop me a note if you want a copy of my paper on how to do it yourself.
[Modified by lars, 12:25 PM 10/30/2001]
You guys need to get real. What do you make an hour? If you want a job and can do the work and want to work for 8 bucks an hour come see me and I'll give you a job. Then I will have you start working on a car just like yours. I can't pay you any more than that cause this Corvette owner thinks his car should get a first class paint job for 5000 bucks. Lets see how long you last.
The body shops need to run there entire business at that 50 or so dollars an hour. Think about what your talking about. That labor rate needs to pay there help, insurance, And all over head. Do you really believe that they want to deal with the PIA Corvette owner that wants the perfect job at a Kmart price. No they do not need the headache.
When you start your do it yourself paint job. Log all the hours you put into it. Then the material cost. On top of that add what insurance would cost you if you had a shop. Lets not forget the comp insurance for your employees.
Anyone that comes to my shop with a Vette and asks that magic question how much to strip and paint my car I tell them it starts at 10K and go's from there. If they do not want to do it thats fine. I have told many people in the past how to strip there own car and even how to prep it. Many started and never finished cause it it so labor intensive.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Food for thought...
Look in the archives. A few years ago, there was a guy on the forum that painted his Vette with a roller, color sanded it and buffed it out. It didn't look bad. In pictures at least.
One of the biggest drawbacks to painting your car yourself, is the toxicity of modern paint. While it is "better" for the environment, it can be absorbed through the skin or by breathing it while still airborne. It can cause longterm medical issues. A cool suit with cool air source can run from $400 up. A good compressor another $400. A quality paint gun can run $500 up (and they don't rent this stuff). Creating a paint booth - depends on how innovative you are, finding the 120 hours to properly prep and paint your car, plus the time to build your booth, learn how to paint, materials cost, etc. You are into some serious bucks (not $10k), and have no quality assurance due to your inexperience.
Alternatives - A. Prep the car yourself, have a shop paint it, then buff it out yourself. B. Take your car to Canada and get it painted. C. there was a guy that shipped his Vette to Thailand to take advantage of cheap labor rates on a frame off restoration, might be worth a shot. D. Buy American, pony up the bucks for the local shop to do it, but make sure you have all of your mechanical and interior work done beforehand so that nice shiny new paint doesn't get scratched.
One of the biggest drawbacks to painting your car yourself, is the toxicity of modern paint. While it is "better" for the environment, it can be absorbed through the skin or by breathing it while still airborne. It can cause longterm medical issues. A cool suit with cool air source can run from $400 up. A good compressor another $400. A quality paint gun can run $500 up (and they don't rent this stuff). Creating a paint booth - depends on how innovative you are, finding the 120 hours to properly prep and paint your car, plus the time to build your booth, learn how to paint, materials cost, etc. You are into some serious bucks (not $10k), and have no quality assurance due to your inexperience.
Alternatives - A. Prep the car yourself, have a shop paint it, then buff it out yourself. B. Take your car to Canada and get it painted. C. there was a guy that shipped his Vette to Thailand to take advantage of cheap labor rates on a frame off restoration, might be worth a shot. D. Buy American,
pony up the bucks for the local shop to do it, but make sure you have all of your mechanical and interior work done beforehand so that nice shiny new paint doesn't get scratched.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 199
From: Loveland, CO
I agree with Lars (like I usually do). We have both been going through paint projects recently, and borrowing each other's tools. He, on his now black '64 roadster (which looks awesome), and me on my Lexis Spectra Mica blue Factory Five Cobra kit (I'm taking a break from frame-off Vettes).
My only shock was the gallon of PPG base coat at $576. The cheapo places must use water based latex house paint. Preparation is key.
Ralph.
My only shock was the gallon of PPG base coat at $576. The cheapo places must use water based latex house paint. Preparation is key.
Ralph.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 18
From: Boca Raton Florida
Before you do any prep work on your car, go to the shop and talk to them. The guy I chose didn't want me touching the paint with sandpaper but did say it was OK to heat gun the paint off the ground effects and bumpers (the gold part of the rear bumper had 16 layers of paint on it). He wanted to be sure I wasn't sanding contaminants (silicone or wax) into the paint. I did the dis-assembly and removed everything that was bolted on and then re-assembled the car at my house.
The red on my '87 was the original paint so it was sanded and primed rather than stripped to glass so that was a big labor saver.
This horrible paint job cost me $2K and a bunch of my time.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
The National avg for body/paint rates is $46.36 according to autobodyonline. My advise is to drive out of Cali to get it done. I have found several places around here that were almost 1/3 of the price that you were quoted. I've had them paint other cars and they did a very good job. I'll probably use them when it comes time.
A business has to make money and I don't mind letting them make money from me but they aren't going to make ALL their money from me. $6500 that LARS quoted sounds fair. Tell me 10k and up, not only will I run but I will tell everyone that I know to run from that place.
Just pull off the corvette emblems and replace them with chevette emblems and they'll stop trying to screw you.
A business has to make money and I don't mind letting them make money from me but they aren't going to make ALL their money from me. $6500 that LARS quoted sounds fair. Tell me 10k and up, not only will I run but I will tell everyone that I know to run from that place.
Just pull off the corvette emblems and replace them with chevette emblems and they'll stop trying to screw you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 415
From: N J
I spent all summer on my 68 getting it ready for primer. Next spring it should be in primer. Now helping a friend with his 69. Been doing this all day and my back is killing me. I fully understand why these guys charge what they do. Its a lot of work that is very time consuming. Now...having said that, I cant afford to pay that kind of $$$ out either, so I would keep shopping or consider doing some of the job yourself. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
You guys need to get real. What do you make an hour? If you want a job and can do the work and want to work for 8 bucks an hour come see me and I'll give you a job. Then I will have you start working on a car just like yours. I can't pay you any more than that cause this Corvette owner thinks his car should get a first class paint job for 5000 bucks. Lets see how long you last.
The body shops need to run there entire business at that 50 or so dollars an hour. Think about what your talking about. That labor rate needs to pay there help, insurance, And all over head. Do you really believe that they want to deal with the PIA Corvette owner that wants the perfect job at a Kmart price. No they do not need the headache.
When you start your do it yourself paint job. Log all the hours you put into it. Then the material cost. On top of that add what insurance would cost you if you had a shop. Lets not forget the comp insurance for your employees.
Anyone that comes to my shop with a Vette and asks that magic question how much to strip and paint my car I tell them it starts at 10K and go's from there. If they do not want to do it thats fine. I have told many people in the past how to strip there own car and even how to prep it. Many started and never finished cause it it so labor intensive.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Nov 3, 2010 at 12:05 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
I'm in the same boat I'm looking to have my Car Painted. Same story here in the Pac NW all the Shops make there money doing Fender replacements getting them in and out. Have only found one Shop who wants to do a complete on my Car and he sez 12k as long as it dosn't need any Body work. He is 6 months out before he can see the Car. My freind just spent 5k painting a free Mustang. $1500 in materials at Body Shop Cost alone he did 70% of the prep work himself.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Bayonne NJ
Got a quote today from a local body and paint shop to repaint my two tone silver anniversary. GULP! $10,750.00!
This is a car with very minor body work and never been hit. The owner explained to me that it would take more than a month to fully prep the car and "do it right." I only paid $2,500.00 for the whole car!
He says it's not worth it (labor wise) to take on the job and he's not the first... several other shops have flat refused it saying the time involved is more profitable doing insurance work.
I'm now looking at compressors and spray guns to do it myself.
This is a car with very minor body work and never been hit. The owner explained to me that it would take more than a month to fully prep the car and "do it right." I only paid $2,500.00 for the whole car!
He says it's not worth it (labor wise) to take on the job and he's not the first... several other shops have flat refused it saying the time involved is more profitable doing insurance work.
I'm now looking at compressors and spray guns to do it myself.
I agree with Lars, but cali or not 11k is crazy for an anniversary addition paint job. You'd save cash shipping it to a shop out of the area to have it done, unless the car is real rough. Maybe you should search for owners that have had theirs done and weigh your options. Just my .02 cents.
On another note, I've been quoted for about 7k on mine in Jersey. A few guys from here have had their cars done by this shop, so I know it will be done right. Now i have to decide if I want to spend all that cash or try it on my own with the chance that I will have to bring it to them after my first attempt.
