What could I expect to pay for a paint job? I know they can range from the macco $100 to a professional $10,000 job. But how much should I expect for a decent repaint on a Buick in an original color? How long might it take with the shop doing the prep work? Thanks :TU:
Brother, there is no good answer for that question. My advice? Check around locally, and ask for REFERENCES! Got a friend who knows a guy who does "great" paint jobs on the side??? BE CAREFUL! Decide on a budget that works for you. Then dig in. Don't expect a show quality job for $1000.00, it ain't happening. Start asking people around the area you live in, and go with the best reputation. Good luck, and keep us informed!
Pay as much as you can afford and then some..........you'll never be happy with it if you cheap out....Trust me on this one.....You may not be that happy with a mid level job but at least you know it was the best you could afford.
Just to throw some perspective here... Not everyone requires the most perfect paint job in the world to be happy. Many folks are 100% satisfied with their driver-quality paint jobs, and would consider more $ spent as wasted. So, that said, it depends on what you (Rob) want. If you want the best paint job you can afford while eating ramen noodles for a year, take Rick's advice. If you wnat something else, do some research and find the ballance between what you want and what you can afford.
Good Point, Afford would be the key word. Driver quality would be fine, but sometimes a cheap paint job can be worse than it was before.
Rob, Having just had my car painted I have a few words of advice. I had gotten quotes of 4-10k for a full color change. I did not go with the cheapest nor the most expensive. During the time of choosing the painter and actually dropping off the car, I had decided regardless of the cost, I wanted it done right. I was reassured it would be done right without concern for my wallet. Well, lets just say he fell a little short. I don't think he is capable of caring enough about the work he does regardless the price. He didn't end up charging me a whole lot more than quoted, but I am not happy at all. Find someone who cares about the work they do, regardless of price. Easy to say.... I see your in Illinois, if your near Chicago, pm me and I can tell you who NOT to go to. Dave
Nobody is throwing numbers out, but when I was looking into getting my car painted, two shops that I had gotten references about looked at my car and said that it would cost about $4,000 plus. The plus was any body work that would be needed after the car was stripped and any rust/bondo was found. So I was figuring on about $6,000 to be safe. Then the wife heard that number and I put the car back in the garage.
More advice/opinions....... Anyone can squirt paint so ask around for the best metal man you can find. You want a body man, not a painter... someone who can run a welder, use a torch, and bump metal. Ask if they have access to a uni-spotter/stud welder. Most likely the guy you find will be middle aged with 25+ years of experience. You are about to embark on a treacherous journey, good luck, take your time and choose wisely. :TU:
Rob, I paid just over 4K for mine 6 months ago. One small 2" x 1" rust spot, a couple of very small dents and I had already removed all the paint. This was for a base clear stock color Red paint job. It is by no means a show quality job. Good luck! :TU:
We got my brothers car painted for $2500 including the body work which was 3 patch panels and the corner of the rear glass had rusted and it is a custom candy paint job. there was one place that was bad so the painter redid it for free. Shop around, another place quoted this job for 10,000. Ask the painter for references to past customers and check the better buisness bureau.
When I bought my white GSX It had been repainted, but I did not know by who, it was not long before the paint started to bubble. The folks that are doing my car found that it had been wrecked a few times, you just don't know what's behind that paint until you get into it. I took my car 250 miles away to have it done by someone that new these cars and they have done an excellent job. The bank that I have the loan with will be very happy once they see the results. Ithink you have to go to someone who appreciates the car and is dedicated to that type work vs. someone who handles work for insurance companies.
In ILLINOIS also If anyone lives in IL. i can give names and number of shops that do good work and shops that do driver quality work. I also work @ a body shop but we do not participate in restorations. If anyone has any questions contact me by email. I also repair and paint cars but i am limited to certain jobs in other words i don't bite off more than i can chew. thanks brian
If you want to you can do what a lot of people do around here in my area, put or have someone primer your car down and call it a done deal. You can then say you have been officially "Rodded".( :laugh: ). :TU:
try local car shows you see a good paint job ask who did it look at the paint jobs from different people in the area you will see different classes of paint jobs sometimes for less or mor money. trouble is a lot o shops rather do an insurance fender for $$$ then a complete car but always look at the guys past work ..do not take his word... I paint my own but always look at some of the jobs people pay for ...
A decent repaint can be found for less than $2,000 and will take a week.Thats not including rust or damage repairs.
