How much should a paint job cost?
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 250
From: The People's Republic of California
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
Because everyone wants a good one but no one wants to pay for what they’re worth.
Finding a body shop is a bitch, especially given all the terrible ones out there. Mine field that'll result in decades of happiness or sadness, and there is very little you can do to ensure one way or the other.
A lot more than many think....see above. Prices will vary based on things like region of the country you’re in, condition of car, type of car, color, if changing if color, materials used and quality expected. I think sticker shock can come because insurance isn’t involved (everything is out of pocket) and cheap discount jobs are available thru chain outlets like Maaco. It’s also time consuming and labor intensive, tying up valuable space for long periods that could otherwise be occupied by more collision repairs that will have as much or more margin. So some shops just don’t mess with it.
Called 5 well known body shops telling them I wanted the whole car painted restoration quality, and wouldn't bat an eye at $10k. They all said they'd rather do collisions...
Finding a body shop is a bitch, especially given all the terrible ones out there. Mine field that'll result in decades of happiness or sadness, and there is very little you can do to ensure one way or the other.
Finding a body shop is a bitch, especially given all the terrible ones out there. Mine field that'll result in decades of happiness or sadness, and there is very little you can do to ensure one way or the other.
DTM autobody does a lot of body kit install and seems to have a lot of high end cars go through their shops. Met the owner who seems to know his stuff about Japanese cars.
Foreign Motors Autobody
https://www.yelp.com/biz/foreign-mot...eign+auto+body
DTM Autobody
https://www.yelp.com/biz/dtm-autobod...epair-el-monte
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
Alot of the cost it' the materials,and generally shops would perfer to have a booth full of brand new bumpers you only have to scuff and shoot then a full car. But I've never worked at a shop that would turn work away unless it's rust repair on a bucket. But a respray is easy work if the customer is willing to pay.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: brentwood
If your taking the car to a body shop an claiming the body work is all done who ever is going to be painting the car is going to laugh at you alot of people don't realize once you start sanding a car down all the little parking lot dings start to show. An no real painter is going to paint over someone else's bodywork without checking it.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CT
This price could be all over depending on the shop, quality of work, number of coats, and most will charge you extra to undo the prep you already have done. Most places will not guarantee the paint will not chip/spider crack unless they prep it.
Sure. I mean....it's not like it takes skill and years of practice or anything. Doing good body work is so easy, anyone can probably do the painting too. Mixing, thinning and filtering the paint too. Piece of cake.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
The guy obviously has experience handling body work if he’s primering and blocking his car. Sure it’ll take practice and work but if he’s got the time to get this far he might be able to take it all the way.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,484
From: West Coast
I got my FD painted in the Bay Area (Santa Cruz) for about 3K. That was minor bodywork, mask and spray, no disassembling the car. I had it repainted the same stock color it was: Montego Blue.
No, the guy obviously has ambition if he’s doing that work. Not knocking him, but it doesn’t mean that work was done well or the result approaches what you’d expect from a professional. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. I’m not sure what your standards are, but having worked my way thru high school and college MANY years ago in a family owned shop, I still wouldn’t try to do my own paint job. I can still spot a home/amateur job from many feet away at car functions.
Last edited by Sgtblue; May 16, 2018 at 11:40 AM.
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
From: DTX
This is a good idea. When it comes time for paint I hope I've built up a good amount of information for paint shops in the area