Paintjob cost?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 21
Paintjob cost?
I want to get my C5 repainted. It's black and I'm not changing colors, so no door jams and under hood. The car has serious paint flaking on top of the rear bumper cover. (I think that's what its called) Also, the targa looks like the paint is thin. Other than that, one minor scrape on rear drivers side. Will need some minor putty/bondo to fix.
I went to a local body shop and was given a quote of $3500. I havent had a car painted for quite awhile and wondered if you guys thought that was fair.
I went to a local body shop and was given a quote of $3500. I havent had a car painted for quite awhile and wondered if you guys thought that was fair.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
What is the guarantee on the paint job?
That makes all the difference in the world.
A guaranteed for life paint job is what you want to see.
Also, it has to be in writing. its your money, you set the rules.
Many shops guarantee their work for the life of your ownership.
doors, front and rear fascia, hood, and roof should come off the car. whether its the same color or not.
Bill aka ET
That makes all the difference in the world.
A guaranteed for life paint job is what you want to see.
Also, it has to be in writing. its your money, you set the rules.
Many shops guarantee their work for the life of your ownership.
doors, front and rear fascia, hood, and roof should come off the car. whether its the same color or not.
Bill aka ET
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Pretty much the minimum for a decent paint job unless you find a moonlighting painter. Depends on where you live though. I've never had a complete respray for under five (with a proper disassembly, not just masking).
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Guntersville Alabama
helirich,
You actually don't want the cheapest (in dollars and cents) paint job. What you want is somewhere in the middle price range unless money is no object. Paint jobs are one thing that you get what you pay for. That's for sure and for certain...
RS
You actually don't want the cheapest (in dollars and cents) paint job. What you want is somewhere in the middle price range unless money is no object. Paint jobs are one thing that you get what you pay for. That's for sure and for certain...
RS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
I would also ask to see some recent cars the guy has painted. It is a slippery slope and cutting corners can get you into deep doo-doo. Make sure to see what the guy has done to other cars and pictures lie...so look at one in person.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 185
Likes: 9
From: Ephrata PA
I spent in the ball park of around 5K to repaint a Mustang I use to have, and it looked very good and the shop had outstanding workmanship, great reputation, and I even got to see some of their custom work in person (Customs Classics in Central PA). You could easily spend over 10K or more if you want to go all out. I'd recommend talking up some people at local car shows and find out where they went, meet with the painter before you commit. I met with my painter probably about 3 times before they even touched the car and I heard of them through word of mouth at a local car show.
Ultimately my goal was a paint job that looked good but not in the neighborhood of where I would be afraid to take it out of the garage.
Ultimately my goal was a paint job that looked good but not in the neighborhood of where I would be afraid to take it out of the garage.
Last edited by Burkdog62; Dec 30, 2013 at 12:17 PM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 21
I'm not trying to go cheap or show car. Just wanted opinion on price. I don't have much choice around here. Seems like a Vette is an eazy car to paint because plastic doesn't really dent and its not very big. I'm no expert and I'm not sure how much work that back bumper cover is. (It's only flaked on the top) but 90 percent of the car is still shinny black paint. Wouldn't most of the car be sanded to remove the gloss and be ready for paint?
Just thinking out loud.
Fixing 6" scratch on rear fender. 2 hours. (Way over estimate IMHO)
Fixing top of bumper. 2 hours. (Wouldn't take 20 minutes to sand down to plastic) not sure what else needs to be done there.
Sand gloss off car. 2 hours.
Mask. 2 hours.
6 hours to paint.
Lets say $800 for paint.
14 hours at 60/hour=$840
So $1700 would be cost.
$1800 profit? Am I way off?
Just thinking out loud.
Fixing 6" scratch on rear fender. 2 hours. (Way over estimate IMHO)
Fixing top of bumper. 2 hours. (Wouldn't take 20 minutes to sand down to plastic) not sure what else needs to be done there.
Sand gloss off car. 2 hours.
Mask. 2 hours.
6 hours to paint.
Lets say $800 for paint.
14 hours at 60/hour=$840
So $1700 would be cost.
$1800 profit? Am I way off?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
... there are butt to butt seams at the front and rear fascia. those seams have to be cleaned of waxes and dirt. Without pulling them apart ( Taking them off... paint will lay in the seams and be a big problem down the road. You could get away with leaving the hood, trunk and doors on the car as long as the shop does the right job in the perfect masking job.. Removing them leaves no room for error in the masking process. If you already think you know what it costs for parts and labor, why are you asking us here? 5 to 10 grand is the price range for a good to excellent paint job. 3500 is a borderline job unless you know someone. If you are an off the street customer, their price reflects their quality. You need to see some references, see a couple of full paint jobs where they left the doors and fascias on the car. See if the customers where happy with the job.
I always say I cant afford to buy anything too cheap. it cost too much in the end.
there are plenty of high volume shops like Macco, and Earl Shieb that will paint your car for 1000 dollars. You need a shop with a good reputation and a written guarantee.
.
I always say I cant afford to buy anything too cheap. it cost too much in the end.
there are plenty of high volume shops like Macco, and Earl Shieb that will paint your car for 1000 dollars. You need a shop with a good reputation and a written guarantee.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 7
St Jude Donor '14
Evil twin,true facts here,but you can just loosen bumpers etc and allow a gap between certain parts carefull masking then reinstall.This may not provide show quality job but can yield highly acceptable results,and cut down costs,however 5k seems about right considering price of paint/ sealers/ primers/ etc.Heck I was getting 2500 to 3k for a 2 stage paint job w/mild body straightening back in the early 90s. Gotta go w/ quality materials and shop w/ good rep and written warranty. Good sound advice on your reply (retired bogyman/painter) you gits whut you pays for!
14 hrs for prep work…hahahaha,i dont think so LOL!
14 hrs for prep work…hahahaha,i dont think so LOL!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Evil twin,true facts here,but you can just loosen bumpers etc and allow a gap between certain parts carefull masking then reinstall.This may not provide show quality job but can yield highly acceptable results,and cut down costs,however 5k seems about right considering price of paint/ sealers/ primers/ etc.Heck I was getting 2500 to 3k for a 2 stage paint job w/mild body straightening back in the early 90s. Gotta go w/ quality materials and shop w/ good rep and written warranty. Good sound advice on your reply (retired bogyman/painter) you gits whut you pays for!14 hrs for prep work…hahahaha,i dont think so LOL!
14 hrs for prep work…hahahaha,i dont think so LOL!
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
This could be considered insurance fraud in the case of vehicles that have been in an accident and have repairs paid for by insurance. The insurance company pays for complete R&R; cutting corners (thereby providing a crap service) to save costs in that way is fraudulent. I would sure be quick to call my insurance company if I ever saw a shop doing this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 7
St Jude Donor '14
P.s a great many shops will take the car apart repaint all edges etc put the car back together and paint it while it is totally reasembled(just leave off trim,etc ) as to not injure any fresh paint etc.THis is not a half assed way of restoring/painting a car it is widely accepted even in higher priced shops. Never had anyone call any job I did"half assed"!