I really need to get my car painted, and I would like to do it over the summer. The body is ok, and is straight. There is one small area that someone has patched up on the front right fender. I'll list my questions. Do different colors cost different prices? I'm not talking about some wild mixture here, because I know that would cost more, I'm asking if black would cost more than blue, or green, etc. Does it depend from shop to shop? What is a good way to save money when having a car painted? (I won't be able to paint it myself, I lack experience and equipment) !THANKS!
Different colors cost a body shop different prices,however this price difference usually isn't reflected in the cost to the customer.Material cost is based on labor hours ,say $24.00 an hour of labor time.So if you had a 10 hour job material charges would be $240.00.The best way to save money on paint work is to remove as many moldings,door handles and other chrome you can get off yourself before taking the car to the shop.Remember the best paint jobs are done with all trim removed from the car. Tim
Thankyou Buickwidow, that brings up another question. Is there much to sanding the car? Could I sand the car down to metal or primer or whatever and then take it to a paintshop to have color applied, or would that not be smart for a first timer?
Best to leave that to them bare melat should be covered as fast as possible to stop flash rust.Plus if you aren't experienced you can heat the metal and warp it while strpping with sanders grinders ect..
I was thinking about a black job. I was thinking about white, but I love black cars, especially big ones like the Electra. It no longer has a vinyl top and it has firethorn (maroon) interior. Is black a hard color to have look good?
My next color choice was going to be a dark silver color, gunmetal, anthracite, whatever it is called. Are dark colors in general hard to paint with? I really don't want to have to paint it a light color, like white or cream or something weak like that.
The darker the color is the straighter the body needs to be to look good.Darker colors need more polishing and waxing because every fine scratch shows up.
Red is the most expensive, white the cheapest. As long as the paint isnt checked or cracked anywhere any good shop should have a easy job just to sand and shoot it for you
I don't know of any paint places in the Renton/Bellevue/Seattle Washington area other than American and Maaco(not going there)
