average paint job cost?

[JCCLARK]

The real test for a paint job is how it looks more than 3 yrs later.
That's about the time frame that shows a difference.
I spent almost 100 hrs on my Civic, changing the color-what's that worth?
It's almost 3 yrs old now and still looks as good as new, with no rock chips on the
bumper or chips on the door.
A "good" paint job is much more durable than a cheapie.
Why? Because what you use, it cost's to do it right.
Epoxy primer-over $100.00 gallon
2K high build primer (for bodywork) $90.00 gallon
Clear-$100 to $200 a gallon (depending on brand)
Good basecoat color- $100 to $300 a gallon (depending on color).
Sure, you can buy some cheap enamel like Mapco does for their el-cheapo jobs,
but it won't last, and won't look like a factory paint job.
It'll look like a repainted car.
Mine looks better than factory, and is more durable.
No tape lines because everything was removed.
You get what you pay for
At $2000 I'd be making min wage to paint one for someone.
If you want an el-cheapo paint job-fine-there's a place for that
but if you think a good paint job shouldn't cost more than a couple G's,
you have no idea what you're talking about.
Here's mine done right, and I'm glad I did.

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f386/jcquack/BODY AND PAINT/98CIVIC/

 

[PhntmSk8r]

Well sounds like you're more meticulous with your work.. that's a good thing, and a more expensive thing as well.

The shop was reputable and he did a good job. $3000-7000 is a lot of money to a lot of people. That's the kind of paint work I'd expect someone to get for a show car, or someone with a LOT of money to spend.

I don't think it's necessary to spend that much on a paint job though.. just sayin.

I'd realistically say $5000 is entry level, stripping the car, fixing a few dents, and re painting the thing. A 'show quality' paint job is 5 digits ($10,000 +) if you're paying someone to do it. Poor quality paint jobs will reduce the value of the car to someone that actually knows what they're looking at. A $3000 paint job, is block the existing paint, re-prime wavy areas, fix a few small dents, then 320 the rest of the car, scuff the jams, tape it all and shoot it.

for the price, yes I was. I did all the prep work myself, and it turned out pretty good. when I told people it was a Maaco paintjob they couldnt believe it.

Prep time is more than paint time. IE: At the shop i work for, we get paid 1.5 hours for painting a fender. .5 of it is edging (jam it), which leaves us an hour to finish prepping, tape it, and get it painted. It takes 8-10 minutes to prep it, and 10-12 minutes to tape it properly. Which only leaves 40ish minute to spray, and blend if necessary.

Labor is expensive, which is what costs so much for a good paint job.

The real test for a paint job is how it looks more than 3 yrs later.
That's about the time frame that shows a difference.
I spent almost 100 hrs on my Civic, changing the color-what's that worth?
It's almost 3 yrs old now and still looks as good as new, with no rock chips on the
bumper or chips on the door.
A "good" paint job is much more durable than a cheapie.
Why? Because what you use, it cost's to do it right.
Epoxy primer-over $100.00 gallon
2K high build primer (for bodywork) $90.00 gallon
Clear-$100 to $200 a gallon (depending on brand)
Good basecoat color- $100 to $300 a gallon (depending on color).
Sure, you can buy some cheap enamel like Mapco does for their el-cheapo jobs,
but it won't last, and won't look like a factory paint job.
It'll look like a repainted car.
Mine looks better than factory, and is more durable.
No tape lines because everything was removed.
You get what you pay for
At $2000 I'd be making min wage to paint one for someone.
If you want an el-cheapo paint job-fine-there's a place for that
but if you think a good paint job shouldn't cost more than a couple G's,
you have no idea what you're talking about.
Here's mine done right, and I'm glad I did.

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f386/jcquack/BODY AND PAINT/98CIVIC/

$200 for a gallon of clear? Damn... thats cheap.

I think paint jobs also vary on product prices in different areas, here in Co a gallon of clear retails @ nearly $400.

Something you missed in your post, you also need the hardeners, reducers, etc. Which sometimes are nearly just as expensive as the product they're for.

 

[Tam4511]

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2253250

are those all stock colors? if i was to paint my car i would get gun metal imo, its bamf

 

[genobee]

macco do good painting for the price but they suck at prep work!!!

if u know how to do the prep work, or find a good shop then a mako paint job would be pretty good
and also cheap.

it like this, do you want to pay 3000 for a paint job that last 4 years or so
or would u rather pay 500 ever year for a paint job that last a year(if you prep it yourself or professionally then it might last longer)

 

[PhntmSk8r]

Even the best show quality paint jobs are 95% prep work.