How much does a decent paint job cost?

mustang5 · 06-18-2003

just wondering how much it costs to get a decent paint job. Iv'e heard it's quite pricey.

1998GT · 06-18-2003

A good paint job coule be up anywhere around 2k..

Twister · 06-18-2003

they start at $3000, and go up

stang2_3 · 06-18-2003

I read in MM&FF that by doing a lot of the prep work yourself you can seriously reduce the price. If anyone remembers that article, please post the issue, otherwise I will have to look for it when i get home.

bronzdragon · 06-22-2003

It all depends on the area of the country and how good of a body shop you go to. It also depends on what type of paint. If you want to go strictly a factory match color, say 1 coat of primer, 3 coats of paint and a topcoat...probably around $2k.

Now, if you want some deluxe paint, such as the pearlized shades, the color change colors or the metal flake...you can probably estimate $2-$3k.

As was mentioned, you could cut your cost by doing the sanding and prepping (removing plaques, emblems, taping, etc). But, you'd have to know what you were doing while sanding, how far down and how smooth you'd have to take it. If you messed it up, the shop would probably charge you more to repair your mistakes.

Overall, if you have a nice car, it's worth saving up for the paint job and going to a reputable shop and getting it done right. The cheapo paint jobs end up bubbling, orange peeling and basically deteriorating after a couple years.

If it were a banger car, you could sand it down, tape it off and go get an Earl Scheib "I'll paint any car for $99.95" paint job...(boy i'm showing my age, hehe.)

If you're driving a mustang, don't let me catch you with a cheapo paint job!

~r~

Dom · 06-22-2003

Glad I know a guy who paints cars. $1500 any way I want it and then $2500 for candy apple.

Cracker289 · 07-03-2003

MAACO $250.. hahaha

Acooljt · 07-06-2003

I paint cars(along with much more) but I would seriously not suggest doing any body work yourself. Yes, it would reduce the cost, but unless you're a pro, you might end up messing it up. If you wanna help the price a little, tell them you'll strip the old paint off and make the car bare, but I wouldn't suggest doing any bodywork unless you've been down that road a few times before. Doing the bodywork would lower the price but it might lower the look too. Especially if you're going with a dark color, then you can really see the blemishes. For bodywork and painting, you might be lookin at around $3000 plus materials. Which in materials, you may be looking at another 1k. But if your body is straight and nothing is wrong with it, you might be looking at less.

billy brown · 07-16-2003

if the body is good and and dont need alot of body work ill do it for 1,200 if you buy the paint

Lone_Star · 08-19-2003

I have an 88 GT that I want to paint all black or midnight blue. It was originally black/gray, and has been previoulsy repainted. The body needs to be straightened a little and tightened up some on the front fenders. Does anybody have an estimate of how much this could be. If this is redunant I apologize. I just dont want to get screwed at the painter since I am in college and don't have much money. thanks.

Acooljt · 08-20-2003

Like I said, about $3-4000 plus materials. I've seen some people that feel their labor is worth more though.

evilstang46 · 10-27-2003

Just throwing the werd to be careful. A buddy of mine paid some guy half the money to paint his fox, and the guy stripped the car to metal, disassembled some interior parts, and then left it in the rain! Talk about surface rust eh...Then the guy split town ripping off around 8 people. Just saying to take it to a credible place ya know. I dont know about you guys but where Im from there are a lot of hole in the wall paint shops that offer great prices, but beware...

01 GT

Antartican · 12-04-2003

So does Macco do a good job with 250 , I think its a respectable place. Also from the comercials you would think they do a good job.

Acooljt · 12-04-2003

NO they do not. This is a real fact, my boss once worked for Maaco. They give them 2 sheets of sandpaper and once they're done with that, they shoot the car. I'm dead serious.

ryanmetz · 12-05-2003

i have a friend that will do it for $1000 plus paint, but he will supply all the tape and sand a crap, but he said for cheaper if i help him, he does real good work too, im thinking in the spring if i keep my car.