Full repaint cost question
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 379
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From: Central Valley California
Full repaint cost question
I am debating on whether to get a full repaint or save the money for a down payment on a C6. Anyone have an idea of what a full repaint would cost if I stick with the original color (black)?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Yuma CO
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Wow! Not a clue, but would be sure to do a lot of research and make sure to get a top quality job!! Paint is something that can make or break you!!
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or 
If you get a top job, you may just decide not to sell! That's what happened with my '55 Chevy years ago. I had owned the car for years and had done innumerable performance mods but hadn't painted it yet. The wife suggested that we sell it to do some other things. I told her that we would not get what it was worth without paint. She said okay and I had it painted a dark wine burgandy metallic. When I walked in and saw it after paint...all thoughts of selling it went right out the window!!!!!!!!! Wow!!!! It was a whole new car!! I fell in love with it all over again right there on the spot!!
, or If you get a top job, you may just decide not to sell! That's what happened with my '55 Chevy years ago. I had owned the car for years and had done innumerable performance mods but hadn't painted it yet. The wife suggested that we sell it to do some other things. I told her that we would not get what it was worth without paint. She said okay and I had it painted a dark wine burgandy metallic. When I walked in and saw it after paint...all thoughts of selling it went right out the window!!!!!!!!! Wow!!!! It was a whole new car!! I fell in love with it all over again right there on the spot!!
Last edited by DSTURBD; May 28, 2012 at 03:35 PM. Reason: additional info
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
That depends on whether or not you want it color sanded on each coat to eliminate orange peel. If not, roughly $3000-3500 if you have no body work. If so, $6000-70000, or more if you have body work.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 379
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From: Central Valley California
No body work is needed. Just a ton of defects in the paint (scratches, chips, etc.). If I'm looking at $5,000 or more, I'd rather save for a C6.
Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Scratches and chips are fairly simple to remove, and most would be taken care of with the initial paint prep anyway as the clear coat has to be removed before painting. If you want just a factory-style repaint you'd be looking at the lower cost. If you want a custom look it's the higher.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 379
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From: Central Valley California
Scratches and chips are fairly simple to remove, and most would be taken care of with the initial paint prep anyway as the clear coat has to be removed before painting. If you want just a factory-style repaint you'd be looking at the lower cost. If you want a custom look it's the higher.
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Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
That usually involves color sanding each coat to eliminate the orange peel present in factory paint jobs and give the paint depth.
Race Director
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I would do a lot of asking around with people in the business. If you have any luxury used car dealers they usually have an outside shop do their paint & body work. Take your time finding a good one, ask for references, and ask to see previous work. A reputable shop will have lots of pictures of prior work for you to look at. I don't know if the place is still around or not, but if it is, Corvette West in Vacaville does quality work and obviously specializes in Vettes. I used to work there when I was in high school many, many, many years ago. The owner does amazing work.
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Your best bet is to just go to a good body shop and ask what a repaint would cost. Hard for us to give you a good estimate as labor rates vary, what they will have to do to make sure the car comes out great is unknown, etc. Some here have gotten a repaint for around $3500, others spent much more.
Race Director
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Pre-paint work ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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When I painted my C3 it cost me over $1000 for quality materials alone. I can't imagine a GOOD job would be less than $6k. If you want a REALLY good job, all the panels can come off a Vette except the rocker panels and can be shot on stands and reassembled-this will CO$T.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Pittsburgh PA
When I painted my C3 it cost me over $1000 for quality materials alone. I can't imagine a GOOD job would be less than $6k. If you want a REALLY good job, all the panels can come off a Vette except the rocker panels and can be shot on stands and reassembled-this will CO$T.
Just finishing mine. Took everything off except the doors. Lot of work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles California
My Trans Am looked brand new. Nobody could ever see the car had been in an accident, let alone smashed into a mountain side. LOL
If you were in SoCal, I could send you their info.
