Need opinions on getting a new paint job

[Trendkill 10+ year member]

Well I made a few calls to local custom auto body shops and it turns out that a full paint job is alot more than I expected... to the tune of 5k or more. I really do not want to go to maaco. I hear nothing but horror stories about them. I'm not looking to win national competitions or anything. It just needs to be good quality. I don't need anything too wild. Just a nice deep blue with white racing stripes from the front to the back on a 92 camaro... like this: http://www.camarosource.ca/small_version.jpg

So my question is: What kind of quality can I expect if i'm wiling to spend up to 3k?

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[seth350 10+ year member]

I got quoted 3k for my ext. cab truck to be repainted black locally and they do great work from what I hear.

I would expect the paint job to be pretty **** decent. I know what goes into painting a vehicle and I would gladly take 3k to paint a vehicle.

 

[///M5 10+ year member]

If you are changing color 3k is going to get you a complete chit job. To do it right you are going to be closer to 10k. Heck it is pretty easy to drop more than 2k in paint alone.

 

[MadAudio 10+ year member]

for 5k you should expect a smile to creep over your face when you see it and immediately know the money was well spent and if taken care of it properly you should have that same smile for years to come.

for 3k the paint should look good and not have runs.unkless you changed colors then beware.

paint is costly i wish i could find someplace good that would paint my van for 3k i would be all over it like Rosie O'Donnell over a vag flavored krispy kreme Doughnut.

 

[60ndown 10+ year member]

i would be all over it like Rosie O'Donnell over a vag flavored krispy kreme Doughnut.

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[Trendkill 10+ year member]

Yikes. Alright then would it make any difference if I was going from a blue to a darker blue?

 

[THUNDERBIRD 10+ year member]

not if you are gonna go to a darker blue. but remeber it will be a darker blue. because if you use a white primer it would be a "lighter" dark blue. take a class at the community college and do it yourself is an option.

 

[seth350 10+ year member]

not if you are gonna go to a darker blue. but remeber it will be a darker blue. because if you use a white primer it would be a "lighter" dark blue. take a class at the community college and do it yourself is an option.

I concur, its not as bad as it seems really. The hard part is the prep and even then its just you using a DA and maybe some hand sanding in some places. Also laying the clear coat down can be a ***** for someone new at it.

 

[Trendkill 10+ year member]

Hmm, this is quite disappointing. It seems like I'm going to have to go with a maaco job and get someone else to do the stripes.

 

[RipDaJacka]

are there any local painters? I have a good friend a block over that restores Vintage muscle cars professionally and he will only charge me materials.. He does impeccable work too.. It pays to have connections.. and that camaro in the pic is gorgeous

 

[yne721 10+ year member]

If you are changing color 3k is going to get you a complete chit job. To do it right you are going to be closer to 10k. Heck it is pretty easy to drop more than 2k in paint alone.

if you're going crazy with the paint. gallon and a half should be enough to paint a midsized car like that, and if you go singlestage you don't need clear. yeah it's easy to drop 2k in paint, but it's also easy not to be an idiot and spend 900 on paint.

Yikes. Alright then would it make any difference if I was going from a blue to a darker blue?

go back to the bodyshop and get a quote on single stage paint. a lot of people think that if it's basecoat clearcoat it's going to be the whip. if you're going with a solid color then singlestage will be completely satisfying for you.

also, go to a lot of collision shops, shop around. ask to see pics of paintjobs they've done. and please, if you only take one piece of advice from this thread, if you're staying in solid colors, SINGLESTAGE!

here's a link to a gallon of darkblue singlestage for $100. http://www.tcpglobal.com/restorationshop/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RSP+AU1509-KIT-M

 

[RipDaJacka]

I agree that singlrstage paint is the way to go.. We just painted my GF's ***** Am Hugger Orange and its great looking.. it has a run or 2 but thats what u get when u do it yourself and u aint really trianed.. does look good btw.. And that camaro should pop There is a black one locally with some 20in Limited rims.. theyre sorta Iroc lookin rims and very nice looking