The cost of a paint job.

[4mulas]

I miss the days of Centari, I think the colour cost me $300 for this one and memory is foggy but I think DP40 was in the $90/gallon range. But those days are gone and it takes a bunch of labour and materials with all the coats required and labour required these days. Nobody will accept a factory quality job.

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You painted this yourself! Nice work.

Can I drop mine off and pick it up painted? I’ll pay you 5times what it cost you to do yours!!! Yes, that’s right 5 times! When are you available to receive my car? Ha

 

[Runcharger]

Ha, ha. I'd love too! I actually like doing them, you just have to be in the right frame of mind to do any of it it seems. My actual painting skills seemed to get worse the more experience I gained it felt like. I think ignorance is bliss sometimes. The first time I BC/CC, I couldn't believe how easy it was. Those single stage metallics were a real B(*&^.

 

[manatahi]

I have an old Corvette I painted 30+ years ago myself in my garage and it still looks great. Cost me very little compared to today. But I’ve been hearing these reports of $20k, 30k paint jobs today that just sound insane. Then I stumbled across this Vette on BaT with an invoice for body repairs and paint @ $40,000 plus.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 427 4-Speed

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I couldn’t help but post this on Corvette Forum which sparked a bunch of responses including one from a guy who’s friend had a bill for $72,000 for body and paint on a 63 split window, and another in CA who was only getting quotes in the $40k to $50k range.

I’ve painted two of the cars I own and these prices just sound unreal. I have a couple of friends who are using custom paint shops here in AR for their restorations and they are generally spending about $12k to $17k which is still a chunk. Definitely makes one double think about taking on a project unless you know a guy or can do it yourself.

I vinyl wrapped my RR for a third of the price. Looks awesome

 

[68-500]

Exactly why my coronet will get cheap single stage. For a garage kept vehicle it will look good long after im gone.

 

[sam dupont]

Ha, ha. I'd love too! I actually like doing them, you just have to be in the right frame of mind to do any of it it seems. My actual painting skills seemed to get worse the more experience I gained it felt like. I think ignorance is bliss sometimes. The first time I BC/CC, I couldn't believe how easy it was. Those single stage metallics were a real B(*&^.

The single stage metallic technique showed to me seems to work though I can't speak to longevity and how many polishings you get out of it.
You put the shine coat on, then step back and fog the paint out from a little distance, letting it settle and melt into the wet paint. If the coats were without stripes and such, it should take many polishings

 

[dadsbee]

Hell, just the paint and materials for the Bee in 2016/2017 was $8500. Total bill when the SHELL was delivered back to me after metal work, body work and paint was $121K Cdn and then I put it all back together. Total expense $168K Cdn.

Superbird F up in 2023... don't get me started... LOL

 

[barbee6043]

I have absolutely NO idea where people can come up with their personal total "costs" for materials? Really?? I have painted many many cars (MY cars) since the 70s. Some flawless, some just "drivers".

Yes, there is a wide difference in costs of top line topcoats. Are the high $ ones needed for 95% of the cars done today? Will it ever sit outside, will anyone ever drive it?

No. Primers? I agree with the above comment, SPI epoxy is as good or better than anything out there. Look it up and the price and try some.

Resto shop charges? Just a common color change on a perfect car? Guy other day had 2 quotes, one for $30,000 and the other $40,000! Ha ...If they take it all apart and put it all back together, and use $3000 /gal, and pay their labor $80/hr, and wet sand and buff for weeks, and the boss clears $10,000 per job, yea it gets sorta stupid expensive! Nuts!

How can any hobbiest NOT learn to do it all himself, unless he has a couple of 71 Hemi Cudas??

 

[MarPar]

When I got out of High School, me and a friend were painting cars with DuPont IMRON. OOOOOooooooHHHHHHooooo!
1972, and three quarts of IMRON in a Gallon can and a quart of 192S was $140.00. Once the local guys saw a couple of
Firebirds and Camaro's with that stuff on them, everyone wanted it! We did a complete for $1200.00. That was then, this
is now.

My uncle painted his T/A with Imron in the 80's. He loved the stuff. lol

 

[68-500]

Imron is extremely durable. My high school car was painted with Centari. It had a beautiful shine to it. Im not sure if they make either product any longer. I need to paint my 98 ram. Would love to use either one of them.
I hate bc/cc. Its one of those guarantees in life. Death, taxes and clear coat will peel!

 

[Sinitro]

The cost of a paint job is one topic...
But what about the cost for body work and prep??
Many times this is more than a paint job...

Just my $0.02...

 

[eldubb440]

The cost of a paint job is one topic...
But what about the cost for body work and prep??
Many times this is more than a paint job...

Just my $0.02...

yup....... the "paint job" is relatively easy

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I just spent $7500 in materials to get started. This is what $3500 in materials look like.

 

[zyzzyx]

They no longer make Centari, but they do make a lower V.O.C. version of IMRON. If you use quality
base coats and clear coats, they will not peel. bad prep and incompatible products cause problems.

 

[3sloppydogs]

Where is earl schieb when you need him

 

[RR Fan Dan]

bad prep and incompatible products cause problem

That’s what happened to mine. Restored five years ago, and paint started to bubble in spots. Previous body guy was a Bondo Botticelli, but didn’t seal spots well. Mostly small pinholes where moisture could get under the paint.

​

 

[r4sedan]

You should purchased lottery tickets!

I just got home and I knew I forgot something. I hope you didn't jinx me.

 

[torredcuda]

Top quality, name brand paint is rediculously expensive and then you are paying $100-175 and hour for labor. If you have ever restored a car yourself you know how many 100`s of hours the body work takes! That is why I do all my own work including body work and paint and use very good quality but less expensive materials, otherwise I could neve afford this hobby.

 

[jimbosride]

Where is earl schieb when you need him

 

[440 4 speed]

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We had MACCO here, they also had franchises and full body shops.

 

[dfrazz]

My go-to guy for paint and body in Colorado does amazing work, however a friend took in his Boss 302 for a new paint job and he said it is $12k for just materials before he lays one finger on the car.