What should a paint job cost?

[Wes S.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

The prices everyone has thrown out I am assuming includes materials. Depending on the color paint alone, no clear will cost $1000to $1200.
Getting the color right is a huge chore with BC/CC. Be sure you find someone who is will to get the paint color as close as possible. It is difficult with metallics, but you can do pretty good. It just takes patience.

[Dick W.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

Two years ago I picked up one gallon of red and a gallon of clear, with the necessary reducers and the bill was $1,800.00 +. Lacquer will cost you over $500.00 a gallon now, metallics cost more.

[Patrick N.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

regarding prep- don't do it. Caustic materials is a great point. also, fiberglass is a sponge and can soak in any chemicals / oils that can leach back out later and ruin your finish. Best to leave this to the ones doing the paint.

best of luck

[James G.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

Thanks again for all your replies. I just assumed you would give the paint code and get the right color. My car originally was steel cities gray which I would probably do in cc-bc What brand paint would you suggest to come close to that color?

[Bill M.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

Thanks for all your replys. It seems to be an expensive deal no matter what. As far as the type of paint, I would have to go the less expensive route. The paint on the car now is shot (chipped, cracked etc.). As far as the quality of the job I am not real picky but I would expect no worse than a stock job. Would this be something I can do myself?

James:

You should be able to paint a non-metallic. Metallics are tricky for a beginner. My Milano Maroon turned out OK, but I had to paint it twice!

Bill

[Mike G.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

even if i were going to get it judged i would not use lacquer. someone that knows what they are doing can paint it with single stage urathane and make it look just like the original lacquer and the paint will last as long as you do. it takes alot of time and money to make the paint have the right texture and sheen in all the right places but it looks good when it is done. you will spend around 10k to get this done. this does not include any body work. i just got this done on my 72 lt1 and it looks great. the door jams and everything look and feel like unbuffed lacquer. there is a restoration shop in columbus georgia that specializes in this. even if i were not going to get the car judged i would use single stage. it looks the closest to the original paint and a whole lot more durable.

[Jim M.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

I agree with Mike, a single stage looks darn close to original and will hold up much better. have your paint guy cocktail in a little clear that will float to the surface and you'll have a great looking paint job that matches the original look. BC/CC looks nice on a hot rod but way too shiney for an old Vette. I was at the Barrett Jackson in Vegas a week ago and there was a riverside gold 69 with BC/CC and I thought it to be way too shiney for that year car. Just my two cents.

[Michael D.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

...Would this be something I can do myself?...

Yes. Do your homework and you could get a passable paint job out of your efforts. That said, you pay for expertise. If you doubt your abilities as a beginner, it's best to pay the pros.

[James G.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

Theres a corvette around here thats painted with a single stage paint and it looks pretty good. I am surprised to hear that it is more durable than a bc-cc job. It sounds like it is harder to apply than bc-cc to get it right. Would it be easier on the pocket book and a little more forgiving on the bodywork?

[Stewart A.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

I don't like C/C unless it has 50 layers down. You can rub or cut through clear very easy because it is only a thin layer on the car. I prefer solid colours with no clear. The thicker the better so I can block it and 7 stage polish it to look like a diamond. Panel shop guys freak when I show them what my cars look like without clear, they don't believe me sometimes. Stewy

[John G.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

I would think depending on how much massaging the body needs and what level of work you wish to take this to 8 to 10 K is more reasonable. I recently paid 10 on mine and already had it primer.

'Driver' paint job? .. I'll be headed in this direction, at some point, fairly soon.


Wondering if my teeth would be showing with the upper lip stuck just so every time the car was out for a drive. Tiny rocks = tiny chips to the paint that are bound to happen.

Single stage Urethane for 'driver' paint? ..

[Roy B.]

Re: What should a paint job cost?

The cost depends on who paints it and what you wont, simple math. one O one