Paint Job Costs

Q: Paint Job Costs

Regarding paint jobs, my 1968 needs one and I’m curious as to what an acceptable price would be for the job without the roof (vinyl) and with no rust or body work needed. I also want to go with the original color (good ol’ Verdoro green). I’m asking because I’ve been told everything from $1000 to $4000. I want a good job (stripped down to base metal) but really don’t want to get ripped either. I even had a neighbor suggest taking it to the local “Tech” school and letting the students do it. I must admit I went to a car show locally last year and saw a 65 Mustang that looked really good and that’s what the owner did. Anyway, just looking for a little input. Thanks in advance. (NOTE: Amounts listed were as of 1999)

A: If all you need is sand and paint then the $1000 – $1500 range should be OK (for a driver). If you can do the disassembly and reassembly yourself, you should get a good job for that amount of money.

I recommend you check with several shops and look at their work. Also ask them who’s paint they use. Stay away from the cheap synthetics, they just don’t hold up. PPG and DuPont are good products. Base coat / clear coat is the way to go.

You may also inquire if you can help with the prep work to further reduce the cost. Be aware, however, that this will slow the process down.

The tech school idea is a good one. I took auto mechanics in high school and we did a lot of work on other people’s cars. If they can fit you into their schedule and you can abide by their’s (remember they will only work a few hours a day) then you can get a good job for less $$$. Remember though, they are learning and spray painting is an acquired skill.

A: Consider this: If a body shop charges $60 per man/hour, and it takes 60 hours to strip, prime, paint and re-assemble your car, that’s $3600 labor. Modern high-quality paints cost (depending on color) anywhere from $200 to $400 dollars for a gallon of color, plus thinners and hardeners. (I was quoted almost $1000 for the materials needed to do base/clear for the GMC Radar Purple.) Add to that a couple hundred for top-quality primers, and another hundred or so for sandpapers, masking tape, etc. This does not even consider the cost of any dent or rust repair that may be concealed with whatever paint is currently on the car! Granted, you may be in an area where you can find a shop that charges $35 an hour, but that’s still $2100 labor!

That said, if you have somebody quoting you $1000 for a complete “paint job”, what are you really getting for your investment?

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